Hardwood Floor Installation Questions

[Howard D. Rosen]

Eric, I am in the process of installing wood floors on my 380 as we speak. It took me a while to do my homework so here is what I came up with. I have always tried to stick with the same vendors that Sea Ray uses because of their extensive testing on components that go into their boats. That being said, they have been pleased with Mirage engineered hardwood flooring on the sport yachts and yachts. The stuff is not cheap, I found it from 6.99 - 7.99 sq ft. You need about 140 sq ft to do the entire boat.

I used the Sierra Maple on my boat which is what they are using on the newer boats with contasting cherry interior. It really looks rich! Once again, Sea Ray has designers that really know how to coordinate colors and textures so I just copy them. So far, the aft cabin was done and I am amazed how it looks. I will post pics tomorrow.

Also, since you are in CT, I have a master mega yacht carpenter that is looking for work if you are interested in getting it done professionally. The guy came down a few times, made templates, and really putting a custom touch to the install. Looks like the boat came from factory with the floor. He is even going to built me new teak steps to replace those vinyl covered ones going into the cabin.

Let me know if I could be of assistance.

Hi...

Eric, I am in the process of installing wood floors on my 380 as we speak. It took me a while to do my homework so here is what I came up with. I have always tried to stick with the same vendors that Sea Ray uses because of their extensive testing on components that go into their boats. That being said, they have been pleased with Mirage engineered hardwood flooring on the sport yachts and yachts. The stuff is not cheap, I found it from 6.99 - 7.99 sq ft. You need about 140 sq ft to do the entire boat.

I used the Sierra Maple on my boat which is what they are using on the newer boats with contasting cherry interior. It really looks rich! Once again, Sea Ray has designers that really know how to coordinate colors and textures so I just copy them. So far, the aft cabin was done and I am amazed how it looks. I will post pics tomorrow.

Also, since you are in CT, I have a master mega yacht carpenter that is looking for work if you are interested in getting it done professionally. The guy came down a few times, made templates, and really putting a custom touch to the install. Looks like the boat came from factory with the floor. He is even going to built me new teak steps to replace those vinyl covered ones going into the cabin.

Let me know if I could be of assistance.

Hi... I’m also planning on putting wood flooring in my 2003 Sea Ray 380. You wrote that the flooring cost about $7.50/sq.ft. and about 140 sqft are needed. Do you have an idea as to what the cost of removing the existing carpet and installing the wood flooring would be? My boat is moored in Kenosha, WI so I need to find someone in the area that’s qualified to do this. Thanks for any tips or advice you could pass along. Have a great day.

 

[Sin Bin]

I would like to remove the carpeting in the salon of my 2000 Sundancer and install a hardwood floor. So far, I have not been able to determine what the best solution is, and what the issues are. I am leaning towards an engineered 3/8" floor with a veneer finish.

What type of floor (what brand) are boat builders using in new boats (other than teak / holly floors)? Are the floors glued or stapled? What type of glue should be used? How much of a border space would be required for expansion if I use an engineered floor and glue it down?

I am just finishing a floor in my salon of a 89 340 Express Cruiser, I can tell you of the things I've done and things I would not do again...I see you are looking for something other than Teak but I did Teak and this is how it went down. As I've mentioned, I put down Teak and the areas that I'm done with are beautiful...my planks are 5/16" thick, I spaced them 3/16" apart and the planks are 1.85" wide, lengths varying from a few inches to 6'. I put them down with a 2 part apoxy from West Marine...the area of floor is 65sq' and cost in Teak alone was around a thousand dollars. Things that should've been different...because of putting down carpeting the need for straight floors is not there and the floors are not very level and or straight, I should've glued down a sub floor, would've made my life so much easier, and then glued down the boards, Teak in my opinion needs to be glued as it is so hard that they often crack when trying to nail or staple...second I should've used a filler in my apoxy, depending on your cure time apoxy has a tendency to run out across the gel coat before it sets up leaving voids that cause you later to go back and pull up the plank and redo it...anyway, the basics of whats here should be able to serve you no matter what type of wood you put down, I will tell you that no matter what you do, it's a job...good luck...Bob

 

[Sin Bin]

I would like to remove the carpeting in the salon of my 2000 Sundancer and install a hardwood floor. So far, I have not been able to determine what the best solution is, and what the issues are. I am leaning towards an engineered 3/8" floor with a veneer finish.

What type of floor (what brand) are boat builders using in new boats (other than teak / holly floors)? Are the floors glued or stapled? What type of glue should be used? How much of a border space would be required for expansion if I use an engineered floor and glue it down?

Gee, I just looked at the date of your post, I am way way off....

 

[Mac-Daddy-Minnesota]

Old post, still looking at doing these updates to our 310

 

[dvx216]

Old post, still looking at doing these updates to our 310

Went with P

lasteak with a 1/2" sub floor to level everything up.

 

[Sin Bin]

Went with PView attachment 71784 lasteak with a 1/2" sub floor to level everything up.

Looks very good, I finished mine and wish I would've put down a sub floor as it would've made the job so much easier...I used Asian Teak that I purchased out of Florida, somewhere out in the middle of a swamp...I think I sanded on it for 6 months but I'm sure it was not that long...the grain just popped out when I put on the Teak Oil finish...and so far, it is wearing well...

 

[Carpediem44DB]

We decided to install hard wood in the salon that matches the wood under the dining table and the galley. I'm still milling the trim and will eventually replace the carpet on the stairs with the wood as well. I built two subfloors to install the flooring to as they will be removed for major engine service when I need to raise the hatches. This way if anyone ever wants to go back to carpet, no permanent
modification was done. Ill post final pics once the trim is installed.

​

 

[Boat Guy]

@Carpediem44DB post larger picts....You used actual hardwood? What type...I've considered this and I'm leaning on vinyl for "waterproofness". Though I haven't found a style I like...I like the color of your floor.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

@Carpediem44DB post larger picts....You used actual hardwood? What type...I've considered this and I'm leaning on vinyl for "waterproofness". Though I haven't found a style I like...I like the color of your floor.

I used the same wood as SeaRay did in the galley. Santos Mahogany.
I don’t worry about water in my salon, I seldom have kids aboard and pretty much just stay on the boat and not in the water. I’m going with plas deck for the exterior soles, floor will be shipped first week of August.

 

[Boat Guy]

You used Santos Mahogany tongue and grove? Is that 3/4"?

 

[Carpediem44DB]

No it’s more like 3/8 but installed on 1/2 plywood so I could remove in two panels. It is tongue and groove.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Salon floor is finished. I have about as much invested in diesel for my truck making multiple trips for trim fitting than I do in flooring but it’s done. Next up is cladding the stairs, that will be a fun one. I would have liked to find a better match to the factory wood but it is 13 years old. The darker wood contrasts and matches well with the cabinets though. Over all I am happy with it.
Carpe Diem

 

[Tomco]

Very nice Carpe! I'm sure it changes the whole look of the salon when you walk in.

I don't see any panels for the engine hatches - how do you access for service work (like changing the port impeller!)?

 

[copb8tx]

View attachment 71784
Went with Plasteak with a 1/2" sub floor to level everything up.

This looks very nice. I've never been a fan of Plasteak outside in hot climates since it becomes unwalkable however it seems like it would really make sense in the interior since it would withstand water exposure really well.

Some questions:

1. Did you do it yourself?
2. Was it a single sheet wide for the length of the boat?
3. Is it slippery if you walk on it with wet feet?
4. Did you use a template and then cut it outside and bring it in, or cut/trim it inside?

I would love to get a color combination that somewhat matches my teak steps coming in from the cockpit.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

This looks very nice. I've never been a fan of Plasteak outside in hot climates since it becomes unwalkable however it seems like it would really make sense in the interior since it would withstand water exposure really well.

Some questions:

1. Did you do it yourself?
2. Was it a single sheet wide for the length of the boat?
3. Is it slippery if you walk on it with wet feet?
4. Did you use a template and then cut it outside and bring it in, or cut/trim it inside?

I would love to get a color combination that somewhat matches my teak steps coming in from the cockpit.

This is actually engineered hardwood tongue and groove flooring that I made into two panels that just lay where the carpet was. I screwed them down to keep them in place. I’ll simply have to remove them as I would the carpeting once or twice a year when I do major servicing to the engines. The wood is Santos Mahogany which is what SeaRay used in the galley.
Carpe Diem

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Very nice Carpe! I'm sure it changes the whole look of the salon when you walk in.

I don't see any panels for the engine hatches - how do you access for service work (like changing the port impeller!)?

Thanks, it really does change the look and feel of the salon. Makes it look and feel roomier. I’m just not a big fan of carpeting on the boat. I’m installing Plasdek on the bridge and cockpit sole in a few weeks and never have to lug the carpet cleaner to the boat again!

 

[Tomco]

Thanks, it really does change the look and feel of the salon. Makes it look and feel roomier. I’m just not a big fan of carpeting on the boat. I’m installing Plasdek on the bridge and cockpit sole in a few weeks and never have to lug the carpet cleaner to the boat again!

Inside and outside - those are two big upgrades. Look forward to seeing the Plasdeck install. Are you planning on doing the bridge as well with Plasdeck?

 

[Blueone]

I have gone back and forth on taking up the carpet and installing hardwood. When I look at it I get stumped on how to do a couple of things.

1. How do you deal with the radius step going down to the aft cabin? I imagine you could use a router but the fiberglass radius is probably not smooth. What have you done to get around this?
2. I have 1/2" wide tracks that are about 1-1/2" apart for the aft sliding door that would be inset into the floor so they were flush. How would you do that?
3. The floor hatches I understand I would need to make square and bigger because of the carpet gap. What is the process to cut the floor and the hatch to match ...especially in the corners ?

Thanks

 

[Carpediem44DB]

As to the radius, I duplicated with a template and then cut out the shape on the floor panel adjacent the steps. To finish it off I duplicated the radius on a piece of 1 x Mahogany from Home Depot and cut a 1 1/8th trim piece. Instead of actually attaching it to the floor panel I simply used Velcro to hold it in place as there is nowhere for it to move anyway.
I can’t speak to the other items, it just takes a bunch of head scratching and trying different approaches for each trim area.
I considered attachment directly to the cabin floor and cutting in and around the hatches but I thought that would be just too big a project and totally permanent. I also think it would look too busy. I like the clean look of the no seam floor.
If I decide I don’t like the floor or if it gets damaged I can always lift it out and snap the carpet back in.
Just about everything I do to the boat I try to make reversible.
Good luck with the project. If I were a couple of hours drive from the boat, I wouldn’t have attempted it.
Carpe Diem

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Inside and outside - those are two big upgrades. Look forward to seeing the Plasdeck install. Are you planning on doing the bridge as well with Plasdeck?

Yep, cockpit and bridge and then I may do the swim platform. I’m having Plasdek send me their template material with the flooring. My boat was used to make the template they have on file for a 44DB. My buddy that made the template opted not to do his platform because of his dingy Davit system installation.