Hi,
We’ve decided to make some floorboards for our MK 1 GP14 as it currently only has the base hull floor and we are fearful of damaging it this season. I’ve found the references in the rules regarding board widths and it says the minimum is 300mm and maximum is 380mm. However at the back of the boat the width of the floor is around 127cm, which will mean the 380mm maximum boards will not cover much of the floor.
Also I’ve seen mention of 2′ x 4′ boards being used, but the available floor space from front buoyancy tank to the transom measures 278cm, whereas an 8′ board is only 244cm long.
There are 2 blocks on the floor (one either side) which the boards would sit on and have turnbuckles on them, and a block at the centre of the rear floor which also has a cleat for the elasticated cords from the plastic flaps over the 2 scuppers.
Should I use 6mm plywood with width wards battons underneath, with one board down each side of the centreboard casing, meeting at the back on the rear block? Is marine ply essential or is well sealed and painted regular ply sufficient? How far forward should the floorboards go? Level with the front of the centreboard casing or further forward?
Any advice would be most appreciated, as we can then get on with making some templates, test fitting them and then purchasing the ply and getting on with the job.
Many thanks in advance
Robin.