Cabin sole mod eval

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Ixneigh
Admiral
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Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key largo Florida

Cabin sole mod eval

Post by Ixneigh »

This sums up my cabin sole redo this past fall.
I did this while waiting for the new engine to be ordered.
This job required grinding the gelcoat nonskid off the floor in the cabin. The floor had always been a little thin and had a small space under it, so it would noticeably flex and hit the more solid underneath structure when walked on. I had a teak veneer plywood overlay to fix this for a while, but the veneer got beat up after 12 years of use. I opted not to spend 500 on the solid teak lumber stock to properly build
another, and decided to add some fiberglass and another type of finish instead.
I used a cordless angle drill with roloc sanding pads to grind off the nonskid texture. I wet the area to keep the dust down and scooped and sponged the resultant soup up as needed. I stayed precisely to the nonskid area. After the floor dried out I applied 3 passes of biaxial fabric in polyester resin and then topcoated with blue pigmented epoxy to give a glossy finish. I then laid down some inexpensive self-stick black deck foam.
Ive been quite happy with this job. The floor feels very solid now, the foam is comfortable on the feet. The foam sheeting is hard to cut precisely. When its time to replace it I may send the pattern out to have it cut professionally by a shop.
Image

The blue borders are there to collect the dirt and make it easier to vacuum with a mini car vacuum cleaner.
Also in the picture is the cover for the access I cut under the galleys foreward position. Another worthwhile project.

Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
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Russ
Admiral
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Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi

Re: Cabin sole mod eval

Post by Russ »

Nice work. I wish I could use tools. :?
--Russ
OverEasy
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Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:16 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: NH & SC

Re: Cabin sole mod eval

Post by OverEasy »

Hi Ixneigh!

Hey! That looks really nice!
Great project!

Bet you’re gonna enjoy the cushioning.
I haven’t personally fussed with that Seafoam decking stuff but it feels good underfoot.

Keep us all posted on how it works for you over time.
We have a dog and I’m curious as to how it holds up over time before committing to a nice project like what you’ve accomplished here.

Best Regards,
Over Easy 8) 8)
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Be Free
Admiral
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Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Steinhatchee, FL

Re: Cabin sole mod eval

Post by Be Free »

That is some fine fiberglass work. I always feel like I end up with more resin on me than on what I'm trying to fix.

In the strange coincidence department, I was catching up on older threads this evening and the last one I read was from 2015 where you were fixing a bullseye spider crack in your gelcoat. You are a man of many talents.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
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