Here at BoatLIFE, we’ve been in business over 65 years perfecting the art of DIY boat maintenance, boat restoration, and boat repair. Our high-quality products, including marine sealants, boating wax, boat polishers, boat cleaners, boat epoxies, and more are all you need for most maintenance and repair jobs, like fiberglass boat floor replacement.
Replacing Fiberglass Flooring on Your Boat
We have written about how to fiberglass a boat floor but replacing the fiberglass flooring on your boat is a similar process. You will want to be sure to have our high-quality marine grade sealants on hand before you start, like Life-Calk® polysulfide sealant, which can be used above or below the waterline. Some substrates will not adhere to polysulfide, so in that case, you will need Life Seal® silicone/polyurethane blend or Marine Silicone Rubber Sealant. If you are unsure of which sealant to use on each substrate, refer to our sealant chart and read our blogs on the difference between polysulfide vs polyurethane, silicone and silicone hybrid sealants, and the importance of neutral curing when choosing a boat sealant.
Remove old boat flooring
Start by removing the old boat flooring to begin replacing the fiberglass flooring on your boat. This includes soft, loose goods likes pillows and furniture, carpeting, and any plywood flooring. Be sure to identify any soft spots or any damage to the subfloor and make a plan to fix it promptly. This includes replacing any damaged boat stringers. For a refresher on how to replace boat stringers, consult our Boat Stringer Repair Guide. Pro Tip: if you are making repairs, be sure to allot for the appropriate amount of drying time before you begin replacing the fiberglass boat floor.
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Installing new fiberglass boat flooring
Once you have successfully repaired any damage below the floor boards or to the boat stringers, now it is time to precisely measure so you will have an accurate count of how much flooring you will need. Be sure to note where there are electrical connections before laying down the marine flooring. Once installed, you can begin installing the new fiberglass boat floor. Known as fiberglass matting or chopped strand matting (CSM), the material is somewhat malleable and can be cut and fitted to exact sizes and dimensions. To seal the new fiberglass boat flooring, look no further than BoatLIFE’s high-quality sealants.
For more DIY boat maintenance, boat repair, or boat restoration tips and tricks, check out our blog and be sure to follow us on social media.
