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I've got some leftover simulated wood laminate flooring from the house and am thinking about replacing the worn factory carpet below deck with it. It would be both easier to clean, and "warmer" (color) than the non-slip fiberglass flooring.

Has anyone done this? Do you have pics?
I guess I would use silicone to seal the edges & hold it down.
Not sure if I should use use the leftover spongy plastic moisture barrier as well for cushioning it against the hard fiberglass.
Not sure either how long it would last in an environment prone to moisture.

Any thoughts?
http://www.homedepot.com/Flooring-Lamin ... reId=10051

I did but with 3/4 " hardwood. Used non slip mat under so it doesn't bang around. There are lots more in the mods section as well

yukonbob wrote: There are lots more in the mods section as well

Thanks. Yeah I did a search here in Mods with "Flooring" and came up empty. I need a little more creativity in searching I guess.

Guys, there's loads of 'flooring' entries in the MODS section. Have a look under 'interior' mods:

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... t=9&page=2

Scroll through the list... it's in the title, usually.

I used the Lonseal florring (from Defender)

This flooring is rugged and nonslip even when wet.
Install wih carpet tape and seal edges with silicone.

This mod was DEMANDED by the better looking one

I just bought a box of wood flooring to use. I haven't done it yet, but it should look a whole lot better than that nasty factory carpet stuff.

Suggest you consider the following before installing wood flooring:

Suggest you make sure it is completely sealed all sides and ends (suggest epoxy) to avoid water damage since the flooring will quickly be sitting in a puddle.
How will you hold in place and still be able to dry up the water that has gotten into the floor so to aviod damage and mildew?
How will you deal with the edge at the aft end of the raised area next to the daggerboard (assumung )? I used a custon cut hardwood strip held in place with adhesive (but this method does not allow pulling up the floor to dry).

I started out wanting to use wood flooring from the hardware store - went thru this whole thought process and ended up with the vinyl sheet that actually looks really good.

We really like the Dri Dek (tan color). Tan matches well with the factory color. It's easy to cut and fits nicely with the dimensions of the deck area both in the cabin and step up area of the head. It's easily removed and washed. And any dirt, sand just falls through the grate. The grate is easy on the feet as well.

Bob

I made my wood flooring removable. Glued t&g hardwood together. Dado grooves in bottom for slats. Glue in slats for added rigidity and put down a sheet of non slip liner (stuff you use in cabinets ect). This allows me to take it out and clean underneath and when it gets too beat up in ten years I can just make a new one.

The dri dek looks like a great product in the cockpit. Hake uses a similar product as a mat in the Seaward.

I like the look of the lonseal product for in the cabin. Looks like holly & mahogany sole. Can't tell if it's nice and shiny though. Some kind of double sided tape would work just fine inside. Surely you can't expect alot of wetness in there, but there are lots of adhesive solutions that can hold up to water or condensation.

wincrasher26 wrote: Looks like holly & mahogany sole. Can't tell if it's nice and shiny though. Some kind of double sided tape would work just fine inside. Surely you can't expect alot of wetness in there, but there are lots of adhesive solutions that can hold up to water or condensation

The Lonseal is a matte finish that looks really close to real wood (my long term hobby is woodworking/cabinetmaking) - easy to install, make paper patterns, install with carpet tape, and seal edges with silicone caulk. I researched and could not find a better solution for looks and durability (and safety - non slip). I even got Defender to update their website with the correct illustrations before I ordered.

I used the pre cut flooring from now out of business Kelly Hanson.
It was thin veneer with a Matt finish. The pieces did not fit very precisely. I glued them on 3/8 ply that was cut to fit the sole and basted everything in clear epoxy. They just drop in place. The epoxy is durable but not non slip. It can easily be recoated. They make a huge improvement in the appearance. Check my YouTube channel for a video. Lastlionmonday is my user name there. I would do everything exactly the same but buy the veneer elsewhere and cut it myself. I did not and would not seal the panels to the floor. The space underneath acts as a dirt collector. Pick up the panel once a week and wipe clean. Simple.
Ixneigh

I also had some leftover simulated wood laminate flooring - but a bin end from the hardware store for about $5.

I put this in to see how I liked it, and didn't prepare it in any way (apart from cutting it to size and clicking it together obviously) as it was just a test and I had planned on replacing it with something better when it warped. But two years on and it's still fine - and it spends all summer on a swinging mooring.

It looks great, and has completely removed my "spongy floor" issue which was what prompted me to do something in the first place.

If and when I do replace it I'll probably use this stuff - http://aqua-step.co.uk/en/aqua-step-col ... ck/Merbau/ - It looks and feels like wood but is 100% plastic, so no water worries.

Thanks everyone for your feedback and advise!

It was a cheap and easy idea to use leftover laminate flooring. And. according to jbgibbs99 above it works fine.
Well, I spent an hour cutting it to fit. It fits fine, but I just don't like the look of the light colored "Tacoma Oak".

So before going any further (attaching & sealing etc) I think, based on all the input, I'll take a step back, leave the factory carpet and think how I REALLY want to do this.

Thanks all.

ps I do have ONE mod to boast for this new boating year: I attached brackets to hold the mast raising winch on the cockpit bench seat, to hoist my 75lb Merc 9.9 from it's aux power bracket on the 's stern down to the dingy
I'll post pics soon.