Trojan Boat Forum

Paul,

Was your F26 featured in an DIY Magazine article? I was reading a 2009 digital DIY mag when I saw a picture of cabin that looked just like your boat. They were talking about the floor. Here is the start of that article;

After installing new carpet in our 1978
Trojan F26, we realized that it didn’t do
justice to the overall look of the classic
interior and it trapped tracked in dirt.
Since we’ve always liked the look of
teak, we decided to make installing a
teak and holly veneered plywood sole
our winter project. My wife, Margaret,
and I prefer to do any needed work on
our boat ourselves but we’re not skilled
wood workers. Though we didn’t have
to buy any special tools for this job, we
did borrow a router. The tools required

The fellow telling the story was named Paul too.


Just curious.

Larry

Hi Larry,

Yes that is our boat. The article is a do it yourself guide to installing hardwood floors using Teak & Holy venired ply wood.

Hope you enjoyed it.

That's cool. Can we get a link to view?

Paul,

Yes I did, very much. If fact I will re-read it. I was wondering though about access to the bilge.
On our F25, the floor is split down the middle allowing access to the bilge, but to be honest, I have never took the floor up to see what was under it. I have taken the floor up where there is a rise in the floor of about 5" between the V birth. Under there, there is the bilge pump, which I just replaced. I also have carpet ober the floor panels, but can easily be removed.

So, I'm curious as to what you did to allow keeping the access to the bilge,,,if any.

The floor looks beautiful and would someday like to try it myself, but just wondering about the bilge access ability.

Thanks,

Larry

Jamie,

Go to http://www.diy-boat.com first. You may be able to buy the back issue of the #1 issue in 2009. I bought a subscription to the mag for 1 year (digital) for around $15.00 and that will allow you to download all back issues free, back to 2008.
They have some great articles by the way also.

Larry

Paul,

Ooops,, I was so excited that one of our own had written a DIY article, I didn't get through it all, but after going back to read more of it, saw where you mentioned about the bilge area, so back to the article,,,,,,,,


Larry

Thanks, Larry.

I'll wait and see if Paul has it copied and can post his article here first. If not, here is the link to purchase the back issue for anyone else interested.

http://tinyurl.com/4p8z5pn

Sorry, I don't have an electronic copy of this article and unfortunately couldn't post it if I did. Its a copyright thing.

I can however answer any questions about it.

Paul, just curious...do you have before, installation and after pics? Be neat to see.

Jamie,

I don't have any before pictures that are digital, only after pictures.

In the picture below, you can see that the bulkheads were stripped of the vinyl which was replaced with teak veneer. You can also see the two hatches that were installed. One under the dinette for extra storage and one in the V berth. The one in the V berth also has extra storage beneath with a false floor that lifts out to access the bilge pumps.



This picture shows the veneer on the step risers to finish off the classic look.

Nice job

That looks really nice Paul, thanks for sharing!

Paul, I would love to do someting similar on my boat, just curious, what thickness veneer did you use? The stuff is expensive, huh?

The teak veneer on the bulkheads about 1/32" thick and bonded to the bulkheads with contact cement. The toughest part of that job was removing the old vinyl and the glue that held it in place. Any trace of the old glue would show thru the new veneer since it's so thin. I don't remember the actual cost of the veneer however I do remember that it has rather inexpensive. I purchased a couple rolls of it from a local woodworking shop called The Wood Mill.

Very nicely done...and inspiring as well!

Thanks,
SRD