Floor For A Jon Boat?

[BassAddict1911]

im getting ready to put a plywood floor in my jon boat, wonderin if anybody's done this before and could give me some pointers for me before I start, such as what size plywood to use, how to mount it; etc. Any help would be great!

[bigfishtim]

found alot of good info here>> http://www.tinboats.net/forum/

[BassAddict1911]

awesome man, thanks for the help!

[BassnChris]

I did that 30 yrs ago.........I used 3/4 exterior plywood and covered it with that hideous golf green outdoor turf. But it worked fine.

Not much to it when I did it..........just laid it in the bottom of the boat after cutting to fit. I mounted 2 clamp on swivel seat/bases the aluminum bench seats......added trolling motor and battery.......my buddy and I fished our hearts out.......almost to the point of divorce a time or two.

[james 14]

You can get by with thinner plywood if you brace it well. The only problem is the bracing adds weight. I did one in my 12' jon and it didn't add enough weight to make a difference. My top speed went from 26 to 25. I used 15/32 ply laid over the ribs in the bottom with some small 2x2s on the outside edges between the ribs to firm it up. In the end I think it was lighter than going with 3/4". You can also save weight by not using PT wood which could go either way on the scale of necessity. A few coats of water seal on regular ply is the way to go I believe.

You have to be careful with PT and aluminum. The copper used in the solution reacts with the aluminum in the boat when wet and will eat away at the boat. I don't know HOW big of a problem this is as I only know the theory and have not seen the effects in person...still it's something to consider.

[stew6371]

found alot of good info here>> http://www.tinboats.net/forum/

Great site for Jon boats. My build is there.

[airing fowled]

I have spent weeks looking for an easy floor idea for our jon boat when the answer was really pretty easy. Most of what I came up with was marine plywood which is water resistant but it was extremely heavy and I wanted something that I could easily take out to clean out the bottom of the boat and to let the floor dry up and not start growing mold like what would happen in a permanent floor.

Overall I am very pleased with the floors performance thus far and we have been out on the bay a few times with my family of 5. It holds up great and the foam is surprisingly strong especially with the mat on top of it.

We are thinking of painting it the same color we are going to paint our boat for duck hunting and we spray painted a section and the mat does hold the paint pretty well.

Video Tutorial:

Supplies:
utility knife
sharpie
tape measure
T or straight edge
insulation boards (1 1/2 inch thickness)
horse stall mat

[Jeezer]

Curious if this is still holding up. Smart idea!

[tnriverluver]

I have regular and cheap 3/8 plywood carpeted in mine with blue foam board underneath between the ribs.  No other bracing and only a couple of screws holding it down.  The floor is very solid and quietened things considerably.  I dont normally let my boat get wet inside so this should last many years.

[Jim Mac]

im getting ready to put a plywood floor in my jon boat, wonderin if anybody's done this before and could give me some pointers for me before I start, such as what size plywood to use, how to mount it; etc. Any help would be great!

 

As already stated, it depends on the span between floor ribs. I put thick rigid foam between my floor ribs(flat bottom boat) then laid 1/2" MDO plywood on top. The foam adds extra flotation and supports the floor between the ribs. I had carpeting on my floors for many years, but this season I painted my plywood floors instead of re-carpeting them AGAIN. I'm very glad I did. I used a light gray paint and it's not hot at all in the sun. I was initially worried because I fish barefoot in the summer. I used Dutch Boy floor and porch paint and added the anti slip granules.