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  • Spaghetti Mat Flooring


    Oldyella66
    • Year: 2005 Brand: Mastercraft Model / Trim: X-10 Cost: $250-$499 DIY or Professional Install: I installed it / created it
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    I decided that I wanted to remove the carpet from my boat.  When shopping we really liked the look of Gator Step / Sea Deck material.  The previous owner had an EVA foam material on the platform and trailer fenders.  I really didn't like how dirty it got.  It was easy to clean, but was dirty the entire time at the lake.

    Based on that, and more hours than I care to admit, I decided to go with Spaghetti Mat.  I settled on VinLoop.  I didn't originally plan to post this project because there are a lot of resources out there about it.  However, I wasn't able to find any details about how people filled the gaps left after removing the carpet.  Only after pics really.  So this post is primarily to show how I closed the gaps around compartments in the floor / prepped for the final flooring.

    To be consistent with other posts...  On a scale of "Any one can do this" (1) to "Pay Someone Else" (10)  I would say this project is a 5-6.  It isn't really difficult but required a few tools most people wouldn't reasonably have and a lot of time.  Probably took me 3-4 weekends to work through everything.

    I intended to start this post before I was finished, but time got away from me.

    Here goes:

    I didn't take pics while removing the carpet, because I wasn't planning to share it.  

    I removed everything I possibly could from the interior of the boat.  Unscrewed the captains seat and any cup holders. I did break a bolt holding the captain's seat that had to be drilled out :(

    Then I removed the ski locker cover, and stripped the carpet.  Then I removed two covers screwed down covering the bilge and fuel tank, and removed the carpet.  The cover over the fuel tank was pretty difficult to remove.  Ended up using a ratchet strap to hold tension and tapping it with a hammer for about 45 minutes.

    After those were out, I used a utility knife to cut the perimeter of the carpet and pulled it out.

    This is where our picture story begins... How to fill the gaps around the compartments?

    I searched for a couple days to see if anyone showed how they cleaned this up.  I looked into building new covers with HDPE, but that was going to be more expensive than I was ready to commit to.  I ended up deciding to buy some aluminum and build out the size.  I also wanted to learn to braze aluminum (not super easy to get right).

    Here is the floor with everything removed.  I spent quite a bit of time scraping the glue off / smooth.  My goal wasn't to get it all off because I was going to coat it in truck bed liner.  I took some time to clean everything too.  That fuel tank was gross.

    IMG_20201024_111234.JPG.d4bafaf14f87352e1cd3d2ca6a19dd3b.JPG

     

    Look at those gaps?  3/16" around the aluminum covers.  But about 1/2" to 3/4" around the ski locker door.

    IMG_20201024_150601.JPG.e2ddf152fcb4e50de5a264c9716986bb.JPG

    IMG_20201024_150609.JPG.3723d9d39d26e409d0f41cb4c4f19a4c.JPG

    Here is how I tackled it....
    I found that if I moved the ski locker door into one corner, it was about 1" around 2 sides.  I used some 1" aluminum square tube to fill in the hole.

    I didn't take enough pictures.  I was failing at making a good 45 degree cut that day, so left the sides long and got the 90 degree joint together first.  I used the better part of an 8' stick of this 1" square aluminum.  You can see the aluminum braze on the corner.  This ended up breaking later because I didn't get it completely flat.

    Fun fact, the aluminum brazing turned out to be not necessary at all, but it was a fun new thing to learn.  So I had that going for me.

    IMG_20201025_140515.JPG.761fb8882a270a491b4990eb1bd5360e.JPG

     

    Here is how I closed up the ends.  I cut them to length and left some hanging off one end to fold up.  I then brazed the end closed.

    Some time with the grinder and a file cleans everything up.  My grinder makes me the welder I'm not 😏.

    IMG_20201025_131536.JPG.999167e39852ab2f0dbde58387beeda0.JPG

    IMG_20201025_132700.JPG.75e4fb07d10433da485ebb41ae3f55ea.JPG

    IMG_20201025_144040.JPG.765e4152bdabe3e15b2b223dd8e3f633.JPG

    After that I added some 1/8" aluminum plate to the bottom, because the door was deeper than 1".  I riveted this on.

    I did counter sink the heads of the rivets to make the bottom flat.  I filed some of them flat when I didn't go deep enough.

    I didn't cut the corner at two 45 degree angles like I did with the 1" square tube, specifically because I wanted to add some strength to that joint. So the long side covers the full joint on the bottom.

    Ignore my work bench, it gets full when I'm working.

    IMG_20201025_150217.JPG.a6fead691031cb91235f3b9acf47fdab.JPG

    Quick test to see if it will do what I need it to before committing to the final product. This is when I decided that I didn't need the hinges anymore.

    IMG_20201025_144317.JPG.0566eec062cc66b6e776d8a5393397d1.JPG

    Ignore the fact that the one side is a little short.  I sure am.  Remember kids,  Measure once cut 4 times. or as Uncle Bob used to say  "I've cut this thing 3 times and it's still too short!"

    IMG_20201025_144351.JPG.7f99b4d4c6cceeebca11325ac0a8c6c5.JPG

    I then tried to braze the tube to the door, but I wasn't patient enough to get everything hot enough to get the brazing rod to stick.  So I ended up (Waiting for it to cool down) riveting it to the door from the inside using 3/16" rivets at about every 4".

    IMG_20201025_152517.JPG.841b3144c802cbf08f5e2f72dcd49c78.JPG

    Here it is in the hole!

    IMG_20201025_153019.JPG.e32f046a3663b8c3a7674b0a0c22dd24.JPG

    On to the other panels.  For these I decided to start with 3/4" by 1/8" aluminum angle.  I measured the gaps to figure out how much space needed to be filled leaving about 1/16" to 1/8" space around the edges.

    I cut the angle down to size using a bandsaw (Finally found a reason to convince the wife I needed a bandsaw).  Most of them ended up being 1/2" or 3/16". 

    I then riveted the angle to the panels from the outside about every 4" to 6".

    IMG_20201025_154227.JPG.6dacc24280bd7ee667f6d13e67ce41f8.JPG

    Test fitting before assembly. That piece of aluminum laying on top was what I used to measure the gaps.  I used many chunks of scrap 1/8" to figure out how much space I needed to center the panel and have some room left.

    IMG_20201025_155411.JPG.709477b103e5329b9d7df2780c083185.JPG

    IMG_20201025_161355.JPG.0257f8c372b9b66c59aab504121de3be.JPG

    IMG_20201025_173810.JPG.ea7a840e509f4ba613d18426f9586e84.JPG

    It seems I didn't take pictures of the riveting process for these.  I turned the panels upside down to make sure the tops were flat with each other.  Then it goes like.... drill, rivet, drill, rivet, drill, rivet, drill, rivet... You get the point.

    I used a file to match the corners and other parts of the finish.  Want it to look like it was supposed to be that way.

    Here it is fit into place.

    IMG_20201025_164637.JPG.0fa04d5fda0982b4e6d7afb61a384cea.JPG

    IMG_20201025_174038.JPG.88263571934b150b48ea479d479166d5.JPG

    Then I used a drill bit the size of the screw heads to counter sink the screws some.  That way they wouldn't stick up very much.

    IMG_20201025_174657.JPG.05f1fa6ff4d9089164fd53a5b3790a00.JPG

    At this point I didn't like the gaps around the new aluminum and the original panels.  I bought some metal filler and used it to fill in the seams.  It took several coats because the filler shrinks.  After that I smoothed everything out with sand paper

    IMG_20201027_174207.JPG.8372537fac7011cefe07f1cca68c8766.JPG

    IMG_20201027_175816.JPG.4a63622ddca1fe25a0a89f3fce688920.JPG

    IMG_20201027_174214.JPG.e998df7836413ef8453492137da2cae6.JPG

    Be patient with me... We aren't done with this yet.

    Next up some self etching primer and truck bed coating to make everything a consistent color.

    IMG_20201030_162222.JPG.f4efd9149d6ec4fb2560e0d75349364e.JPG

    IMG_20201031_103327.JPG.f495decae45152f3e0b7bedfbd7c38e6.JPG

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    IMG_20201031_165324.JPG.0d286217ce0549a4c1aca7107b6c11f3.JPG

    On to the rest of the floor.  Spend some time masking things off and making sure everything is clean.  Don't want to get this stuff on anything it isn't supposed to be on.  I have some on my skin still 2 weeks later.

    I decided to use the truck bed liner to seal the edges of the carpet from fraying instead of doing it the right way.  But all of the edges will be hidden from view in the end.

    Hindsight being what it is... Should have spent more time getting the glue off the floor.  About 4 days after this picture was taken I remembered that I have a power scraper.  That would have been handy...

    Also, look at how much cleaner that fuel tank is!

    IMG_20201031_112855.JPG.f968aa47cca1b420567eab8dcd48177a.JPG

    Rolled it on with a high texture 4" roller.

    Here it is panted and put together.

    IMG_20201101_140130.JPG.0c5586c473aec750d10b6a3e0f82908a.JPG

    IMG_20201101_165231.JPG.a8690958eaa2e8a6122c0ab7acafeb52.JPG

    I used some neoprene foam insulation material to build up the bottom of the covers to get them more level with the floor.  I also used it to fill the gap under the rear seats between the floor.

    IMG_20201101_134858.JPG.ef7654661da2313f063103f8a49f33bc.JPG

    IMG_20201101_135358.JPG.a02b7d820c2fd1efa42c17076f4f3b7b.JPG

    IMG_20201101_135721.JPG.85983d9172415acc55bc6524394eb06d.JPG

    I also did the two rear compartments at the same time.  This is where I got the truck bed liner on my toes :(

    IMG_20201031_134020.JPG.b04bd1de52eff52ddc28b88392a1238f.JPG

    Next up... wait.

    I mean everything really should dry for a couple days to let the truck bed liner cure.

    Here is the template made.  I used paper painting cover.

    IMG_20201111_133325.JPG.7972ef2f42a58bf10d64a2af992d8706.JPG

    Here is the Vin loop mat going in.

    IMG_20201111_160728.JPG.42ee0bdc1a3cbdd9c0bd47a2b704c32d.JPG

    Here it is all cut out and fit.  I decided to go with 3 separate sections.  1 down the center.  1 over the rear area of the boat, and 1 under the captain's seat area.  This way I can access the plug in the center of the boat easy.

    I cut the mat with a sharp utility knife and the template. It was pretty easy to cut.  I trimmed some of the rounded corners to look better with a pair of standard scissors. While I was cutting I angled the blade inwards so that the top was a little bit wider than the bottom, this was recommendations from elsewhere, but I think it helps the edges press in and fill the space without gaps.

    I still need to clean up the edges to make them sit better but it's pretty close.  I also need to put the boat back together, but I have all winter for that.  

    IMG_20201111_171725.JPG.385befc8a98dcac0ac75200e7a0ba00b.JPG

    IMG_20201111_171742.JPG.49f6a1bef4fcb6c722d4c940d03bbeae.JPG

    Here is how I finished the rear compartments. I used Vin tile and cut it to fit.  I used this because it was cheaper than the other matting and would create a raised surface off the bottom for water to drain out.

    IMG_20201101_163001.JPG.70a334bedb2316926c98ae581bc80d2d.JPG

    IMG_20201101_163010.JPG.e65087a6a5bcb3003c17ececf4f8d4c5.JPG

    I've seen a lot of post where people are worried about the flooring blowing out of the boat on the highway.  I tow with a full cover over the boat, so I'm not worried about that.  Each piece also weighs about 10-20 pounds, so I don't think it will be a problem on the lake.  If it is, I'll just throw some kids on top of it or something.

    That's the whole project.  I didn't track how many hours I had into this.  Probably about 40-60.  I was working on multiple things at the same time.  Most of the time was scraping the floor, and drilling out that &%^$*# bolt.  Drilling stainless is less than fun, only went through $40 in drill bits that day.

    Here are some links to products I used, if you want to follow what I've shown.

    VinTek Grate Tile (I used 18 of these but 20 would have been better)
    https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B084L31Z6J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    VinTek  Spaghetti Mat ( I purchased two 4x8 sheets, but probably should have gotten one 4x10 sheet and one 4x8 sheet)

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V5X44Z4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&pldnSite=1

    Metal Filler (I used 2 of these)

    https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ALDYJI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Foam Filler

    https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PZTQRHL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

     

    Truck Bed Coating (I used 2 of these)

    https://smile.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-Automotive-248915-32-Ounce-Coating/dp/B0070S7U4Y/

    Everything else I just happened to have in my shop already, so I don't have ready links for you.

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    You are Very persistent! Lots of skills brought to bear for your project. How’s the spaghetti floor feel underfoot?  Sailrite has videos showing how to create snap in vinyl floor using rivet style tools if you ever decide to fixate it. i’ve been thinking about ripping up the carpet as well. thanks for the write up. 

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    Thanks... and you're welcome.  The carpet was pretty stained when I bought the boat, this stuff looks much more clean.

    So far I'm torn on the feel under foot.  It is a little more stiff than I was hoping for.  It isn't uncomfortable to walk on by any means, but not truly soft either.  I also have very tender feet, can't walk outside without shoes on.  My wife thought it was fine. I've seen this stuff around as door mat, can't for sure remember where. It is marketed for commercial floor mats and walk ways around pools, so it is intended to be used bare foot, but also provides a fair amount of traction.

    It's also fairly cold here right now, so I think it will soften up in the sun.  I'm going to give it a summer to see how it goes, then I'll see what happens.

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    i like the stuff you put in your rear compartments definitely going to add this to all my sub seat and compartment storage i have finished fiberglass/platic but things just get wet sitting on the floor in there. 

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    I’m actually fairly impressed by that stuff. I haven’t used it for it’s purpose yet, but it is pleasant to walk on. It’s not soft, but it is comfortable under foot.

    It snaps together so the sheets are connected. Also, very easy to cut with a sharp utility knife, so it can be fit well.

    I haven’t tried yet, but you should be able to use a heat gun to bend it, to fit curves, when it can’t lay flat.

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    I heated a piece of left over spaghetti mat over the weekend, with a heat gun.  It softened up quite a bit and was still cool enough I could hold it to my cheek.  I think that in the 90 degree plus temperatures we see over summer that it will end up being just fine.  Hopefully I'll remember to follow up over summer.

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    Love the raised mat you put in the rear compartments. Will remember that if I decide to pull carpet out of my rear hatches. I planned on doing SeaDek in those rear hatches, but I like this as it's more durable and removable when it inevitably gets dirty. Great write up!

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    This is significantly less expensive than Deckadence.  It is a little different though... I don't have first hand knowledge, but Deckadence appears to be a thinner extrusion and smaller weave, which would make it a little bit softer underfoot. But this stuff is designed for public pools and showers and things, so it isn't uncomfortable.  Just more designed for traction than soft. 

    The only worry I would have about installing over carpet, is making sure the carpet can dry out.  This stuff will let food crumbles and water through, and would make carpet take much longer to dry out.  Depending on how you store the boat it could start to smell pretty quickly, I think.  Other than that, there is no reason it couldn't be installed over carpet.  Shoot, worst case scenario, in my mind, is that you have to tear out the carpet anyway or give up on the spaghetti loop.  The size of the pieces probably wouldn't change considerably.

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