[Larry13]

I have a 18' 81 sterling jet with a basically stock 454 with over the transom headers. I have the twin barrel buckets and a rear bench seat. I have the full stringers exposed. I was wandering do you fellas prefer the exposed stringers or do you put a floor in from the motor forward? ( If so how thick of plywood do you rcommend)The reason I asked is the few times I have actually got to use it it seems that most everyone who gets in is tripping all over everything. I Guess it's because of the amount of interior space as all of my other boats have been 18 to 20' fish and ski's. Again just curious and thanks for any input.

 

[Last Mohican]

It kinda depends on your goal for the boat. If racing is you game you want to save weight any where you can. If a family boat is more to yer likin put a floor in it. Post some pics of your boat.

 

[jetboatperformance]

I have a 18' 81 sterling jet with a basically stock 454 with over the transom headers. I have the twin barrel buckets and a rear bench seat. I have the full stringers exposed. I was wandering do you fellas prefer the exposed stringers or do you put a floor in from the motor forward? ( If so how thick of plywood do you rcommend)The reason I asked is the few times I have actually got to use it it seems that most everyone who gets in is tripping all over everything. I Guess it's because of the amount of interior space as all of my other boats have been 18 to 20' fish and ski's. Again just curious and thanks for any input.

Personally wouldn't add a false floor to a small full stringer boat , the floor will add weight , boats like all vehicles are weight sensitive respective to performance , re stuff to trip over I carry the absolute least amount of gear beyond whats absolutley neccesary you'll actually have more usable space without the floor Tom

 

[Richard Till]

There is an advantage to having a floor that might outweigh the added weight. That little bit of water that gets into nearly every boat won`t get your belongings and your feet wet. On my lake boat i use a piece of 3/4 marine plywood treated with a waterseal such as Thompsons wedged tightly between the stringers. Cut the plywood just behind the front of your back seat.

 

[Larry13]

There is an advantage to having a floor that might outweigh the added weight. That little bit of water that gets into nearly every boat won`t get your belongings and your feet wet. On my lake boat i use a piece of 3/4 marine plywood treated with a waterseal such as Thompsons wedged tightly between the stringers. Cut the plywood just behind the front of your back seat.

Thanks for the replys fellas, When I figure it out I will try and post some pics.

 

[md-11mike]

Just my opinion but I would use 1/2 and brace it from underneath as needed. If you want it to last glass it don't use a water sealer. Light weight cloth on top and just resin on the bottom. Be better to glass both sides. Would still be lighter than 3/4. Honestly if it was my boat I would leave it just the way it is. Not worth the effort but again my opinion.

 

[krusn56]

I have a floor and going to remove it and put in a sub floor.