U channel & plywood

MarkH · 10 April 2021, 10:37

Hello,

I'm planning to make plywood floor panels for my Avon R2-80 sib, connecting them with either aluminium or PVC U channels, and possibly making the stringers out of U channel fixed to a wood baton.

Has anyone done anything similar / can you recommend where to buy the most suitable U channel?

The boat didn't come with a floor, so I'm planning to make a template out of cheap hardboard first, to check the dimensions, then make the panels out of either 12mm plywood or 6mm plywood with a frame, and seal with epoxy resin.

I'm looking to construct something like the original panels and stringers, as per the attached photos I've found online.

Does this sound okay? Any advice would be much appreciated.

mikehhogg · 10 April 2021, 21:00

sounds good. instead of epoxy use a few coats of polyester top coat. use a tint to match color \ colour . should be good for ten to fifteen years.

Pikey Dave · 11 April 2021, 00:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikehhogg

sounds good. instead of epoxy use a few coats of polyester top coat. use a tint to match color \ colour . should be good for ten to fifteen years.

Yup, I wouldn’t use Epoxy either. It’s good stuff, but not UV stable & doesn’t penetrate the timber. It’ll start to flake off in a couple of years.

MarkH · 11 April 2021, 02:06

Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely do that. Looks like it'll be cheaper than epoxy too.

jeffstevens763@g · 11 April 2021, 21:52

For info

Epoxy is not, on its own, UV resistant. Some epoxies have a UV resistant additive added to them that works moderately well. However, the best way to ensure that your epoxy doesn't yellow or breakdown from UV rays is to top coat it with clear UV resistant urethane.24 Jan 2018

MarkH · 12 April 2021, 12:16

Thanks Jeff, I think I'm going to try a few coats of polyester top coat, as suggested by mikehhogg.

I just need to identify some suitable H channel to make the joining strips and U channel for the stringers. I'm unsure as to whether it needs to be alloy or if PVC will do.

Ribtecer · 12 April 2021, 12:28

I've got a Rover 310, and it definitely needs to be aluminium. Could be difficult to source.

Have you thought about making what would have been the two aft pieces out of one piece of ply? Negating the need for any of the aluminium bits, if it flexes you could brace it with hardwood strips on the top of the out side edges.

MarkH · 12 April 2021, 12:37

Thanks, that's what I was beginning to think.

I did consider your suggestion of making the two aft pieces out of one piece of 12mm ply, but I was concerned that it might make it difficult to manoeuvre into place with the front triangular piece. If you think this wouldn't be a problem, I'll give it try though.

Ribtecer · 12 April 2021, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkH

Thanks, that's what I was beginning to think.

I did consider your suggestion of making the two aft pieces out of one piece of 12mm ply, but I was concerned that it might make it difficult to manoeuvre into place with the front triangular piece. If you think this wouldn't be a problem, I'll give it try though.

With the 310 you slot the aft two pieces together complete with the side strips of aluminium before you fit them into the deflated boat, so two pieces fitted together and rigid, or one complete piece - it makes no difference.

The fitting is made easy because of the third bow section, slotting together as you fit it in the deflated boat, I think the bow piece will always have to be separate. You will need to get the way they connect correct as it sort of falls together as a hinge, just as the photos you posted above. I can take measurements if that helps.

I think the two aft pieces where made that way for easy storage onboard a sailing yacht. "Sibbing" wasn't really a thing back then.

Could still be a big piece in a car, depends on how you use it.

Let us know what you decide, I'd like to see pictures of what you achieve.

MarkH · 12 April 2021, 18:11

Thanks, I hadn't realised they came together in that way. This could make things a lot simpler for me.

I have quite a big car boot (Ford Galaxy) so the size of the one big panel shouldn't be too much of a problem.

I'm not sure how similar your Rover 310 is to my 280, but if you could let me have the measurements for your panels that would be very much appreciated. Measuring from each recess, my boat's inside width is 80cm for the main floor area, but I'm unsure how much of a gap needs to be factored in to allow them to fit without overstretching the tubes / floor.

Many thanks for your help with this.