Of course, you want your boat to look as good as any other project in which you have invested time, money and effort. Long-term projects are rarely done without giving everything, and boating is no exception. Just take a look around your home and see how perfect it is. That is the kind of perfection that you should strive for in your boat company. To get exceptional results in boat building, you need to properly handle the tiles, carpets and woodwork. All of these elements are connected to none other than the bottom, which is considered one of the most important parts of watercraft construction.
To get the floor in top shape, you should make sure that fiberglass is applied correctly.
Out with the old, in with the new
The glass fiber begins to remove a damaged section of the boat bottom. You should pay attention to loose floors and objects when clearing furniture and cleaning the living room. Remove items that no longer serve a purpose, such as old and damaged plywood and other outdated decorations and structures, to prepare your new floors. At this point you also want to clear the center console of your boat and clear the cables out of the way. If it's hard to remember which part goes where, write down all the things you have separated so that you can easily reconnect them once everything is done. Keep in mind that this project takes time and is unlikely to be completed in an hour.
Replace the boot stringers
Before installing your new fiberglass floor, you may want to replace faulty stringers. While this isn't really necessary and inevitably adds to the overall duration of the project, there may not be a better time to fix the problem than if you're already dealing with the flooring.
Install new floors
Once the old and damaged floors have been removed, start taking measurements to get an idea of all the elements that will be involved in the project. You need to find out the size of the deck and the amount of flooring needed and cut it into support segments if necessary. To install cover sheets, you need to know the cables and connections that need to be reconnected after the task is complete. For this reason, it is important to take notes on everything that you have separated.
Apply glass fiber mat
Once the cover sheets are in place, screw them down before applying the fiber. It is a must to ensure that the mat is properly applied and sealed. That's why you need a high quality sealant. A waterproof seal means that you can rely on your floor for many years to come. Now all you have to do is put everything back in position. When you reconnect the wires and cables, refer to your "List of Connections" so you don't go wrong. If there was a problem with a particular connection before the process, make sure there is no problem this time. Reinstall the center console and seats and clean the area again.
The advantages of fiberglass for boat floors
There are several reasons why fiberglass floors generally cost more than wooden floors. Let us discuss some of them.
1. Easy maintenance
One of the best things about fiber is that it's easy to maintain. Wood, aluminum and other similar materials almost always require repainting, sanding and repairing on a regular basis. Fiberglass withstands the harsh ocean conditions better and makes cleaning and maintenance of the material easier, even in the long term.
2. Ease
Fiberglass has a lightness that is not found in any floor covering other than aluminum. Of course, wood becomes heavier. With fiberglass, the boat can also push through the water better than aluminum, making it a really smart choice for flooring. You wouldn't need a motor as large or powerful for a fiberglass boat as for a wooden boat.
3. Clean the lines
Fiberglass is able to produce extremely smooth floors. For most, this is better than the practical look of an aluminum floor. It also helps give your boat a simple, modern look that people, especially your passengers, can only admire.
Conclusion
Glass fiber floors are not only practically effortless to apply, but also light, easy to care for, slim and modern. You can rely on this material to build your own boat. It is also the flooring your boat needs to last, look good and stay functional for many years. However, the choice of flooring will ultimately depend on personal preference, as people may still prefer wood and aluminum despite the many great benefits of fiberglass. There is also the higher price of the material, which can make it a budget problem for many boat owners.
