screwing down floor boards - do I really need all those screws?

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Bardo
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Joined: 5/29/17
Posts: 14
screwing down floor boards - do I really need all those screws?

Hi - Refinishing my floor boards. Some are getting replaced. All of my floor boards are screwed down every 12-18 inches on the perimeter.

Are all those screws necessary? Could I just do the corners and every 2 feet?

If I left the floor boards unscrewed, what is the risk?  It would certainly make inspecting down below easier if they were not screwed down,

Thanks!

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Sojourn
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Joined: 7/14/08
Posts: 163

Greg,

Interesting question.  The manufacture, Catalina Yachts, thought it the correct ting to do.  It cost them more money to do it that way.  The cost of the screws in minor compared to the extra labor to drill and set every screw, not a fortune to be sure, but still more time and labor.  Those are small screws and they can easily be damage or tear out easily in the fiberglass.

I offer no real insight, your call.

Lou Bruska
Sojourn
1985 C-36 Mk-I TR #495
Eldean Shipyard
Lake Macatawa (Holland, MI) Lake Michigan
Rallyback@comcast.net

pierview
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Joined: 9/27/09
Posts: 582

I replaced my floorboards a number of years ago and, instead of the screws, I put Velcro tabs on the corners. This holds the panels in place (I've never had one come up accidentally) and I can easily pull them up to clean and dry if I get water on the cabin sole. During the off-season I pull them up to let everything dry out.

Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ

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dlincoln3
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Posts: 144

Maybe it was a requirement per ABYC standards for the Ocean rating?

Don Lincoln
"Nancy Lynn"
1993 Catalina MK1.5, Hull 1238
LaSalle, MI (Lake Erie)
Universal M-35AC

Bardo
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Posts: 14

Like the velcro idea -  thanks for the suggestion.

Catalina 36 has an ocean rating?  Never thought of my boat as a blue water boat.

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KevinLenard
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Posts: 209

Catalina is named after California's Catalina Island,  The larger ones were always designed with crossing the Pacific at least as far as Catalina island. That's 3 and a 1/2 hours in good weather,  More than far enough to get in serious trouble with a bloat that is not rated for blue water!

 I used the heavy duty Velcro Velcro they sell at the big Box hardware stores Is to secure our floorboards after rejuvenating them. Easy to lift off and replace.  The glue is pretty much waterproof in case some water gets under them.

Kevin Lenard
"Firefly"
'91 C-36 Mk. "1.5" Tall Rig, Fin Keel, Hull #1120, Universal M-35 original (not "A" or "B")
CBYC, Scarborough, Lake Ontario, Canada

Bardo
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Posts: 14

Thanks Kevin.  I think I am going to do the velcro option.  

Screwing down the floor boards is why I never saw the forward keel bolt.  Nut on forward keel bolt has disintegrated.  Stud looks ok.  Going to clean it up with dremel tool soon.  Saying my prayers to the sailing gods that I do not have crevice corrosion down around the stud.

And then there is the keel bolt under the fuel tank.  What was Catalina thinking?????

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dlincoln3
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Posts: 144

What model do you have that has a keel bolt under the fuel tank?  My fuel tank is on the starboard side under the cockpit locker.  All of my keel bolts are easily accessible.

Don Lincoln
"Nancy Lynn"
1993 Catalina MK1.5, Hull 1238
LaSalle, MI (Lake Erie)
Universal M-35AC

Bardo
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Posts: 14

Don - I have hull # 828 MK I tall rig/fin keel.  I believe I have 10 total keel bolts total.  8 in main bilge compartment.  1 just forward of the mast in small bilge.  My fuel tank is under the salon seat just forward of the galley sink.  It is wedged in by the hot water tank. Based on my research, there should be one aft keel bolt.  If there is an aft keel bolt, it is under my fuel tank.  I saw one other post in the forum on an older mark I with an aft keel bolt under the fuel tank.  

Given the state of my forward keel bolt, I think I definitely need to inspect this aft keel bolt.  I really hope I do not need to remove the fuel tank to inspect the aft keel bolt. 

If anyone has tips for inspection of the aft  keel bolt under the fuel tank,  I am very interested.

Thanks!

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jworth3
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Posts: 80

I fabricated and installed new teak/holly floorboards this past spring. I used Alien Tape <https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B8B9LJD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin... to fasten down the ones that weren't stable. this is very sticky but removable, and thiner than velcro. Small floorboard under the game table and under the dining table didn't need it!

Joe & Patti Worth
"Tehani"
1999 C36 MKII #1810
Atlantic Highlands, NJ

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Jimmy
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Joined: 1/12/08
Posts: 75

Yes

Jimmy,
Secondwind
Hull No. 2058

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