Posted by Steve on July 09, 2003 at 05:11:19:
In Reply to: Good way to fasten floorboards for easy removal?? posted by ken on June 24, 2003 at 19:44:06:
: What is a good way to fasten the floorboards to the sole beams for easy and frequent removal? I am on a Double Eagle project and want to install my floorboards for easy removal to the wood sole beams so that the floorboards can be removed easily for cleaning and inspection, and ventilation. I am afraid to just screw them down to the wood sole beams, the screws will soon strip out. What is an alternative, metal angles to the beams? Then the metal angles add weight. What is a good way?
: You could make a fastener by taking a piece of flat stock about 1/8x1x(?). You will bend this stock to wrap over the top of the beams and down the sides about 1 inch, ( a "U" shape). on the bottom center of the U, drill a clearance hole for the size fastener you desire to use then attach a nut of the proper size to the inside of the U inline with this hole. Attach this assembly to the floor joists by drilling counterbores for the nut and the floor bolts and notching the joist for the thickness of the flat stock. Secure the sides of the U to the sides of the floor joists either with a bolt through or wood screws. This is a good method to use. I recomend useing stainless steel nuts, bolts, and flat stock. Stinless flatstock can be hard to find, but it makes for an easier job since the nuts can be welded directly to it. If you use steel or aluminum flat stock then you will have to weld washers to the nuts before attaching them with screws to the U piece with machine screws. I recomend useing all stainless hardware. If useing steel or aluminum stock, be sure to prime and paint well all surfaces prior to installation. For the floor bolts, I recomend contersunk flathead machine screws with countersunk fender washers, (both stainless). It may be hard to find the later but will save you work in not haveing to counterbore your floor for regular hex head bolts and washers. Be sure to seal the insides of all holes with epoxy. Ok, there you have it, a professional enginnering consult for free!! good luck and happy boating.
P.S. If you use aluminum flat stock, be sure not to use T6 condidtion as it may crack and will be weakend at the bends.