Adding a floor in hard bottom dinghy

[potis]

I have a West Marine 310 Rib. It is a hard bottom, V-hull shape. It does not have the 2nd flat surfaced floor. Does anyone know if there is an aftermarket 2nd floor that can be installed? WM was no help on this. Or, has anyone made their own 2nd floor to put in a dinghy. Biggest difficulty I see with making one is determining how to attach it. I would like it to be removable due to weight and for cleaning etc. Otherwise it could be easily just permanently glued in place. Appreciate any input.

 

[Irie308]

Interested as to why you don't like the v-hull. I purposely picked up a highfield with a vhull thinking that it would give more leg room which it does but i found that the v at the bow makes it hard to get in and out as its always slippery. I plan to add some non-skid to the floor to remedy this.

 

[potis]

I love the v-hull insofar as performance, the problem is similar to what you stated; it is difficult and uncomfortable for my wife to get in and out, etc. plus with a 2nd flat floor a cooler could be used as a stable 2nd seat, items could be secured to it etc. Just all around more user friendly (except for the add'l weight)

 

[Creekwood]

Seems like a lot of work for a 10 ft rib. That said I would think that on my Mercury I could fashion a Marineply board shaped to sit on the strakes in the bow easily enough. Maybe a stainless piano hinge so it folds and seal it with white enamel. Edges could have closed cell foam underneath to stop rattle and slip. Interesting.

 

[Loyd Dinneen]

I once had a old wooden boat that was a v-hull and it had a slatted floor made from 1x2's that were removable and fitted to the curve of the boat. It was a very simple floor and was very stable.

 

[Sublimetime]

Cut a plywood floor to roughly fit the area you want to level then take a length of hose and slice it open the length of it. pry open and slip over edge of plywood. It creates a nice finished edge to help protect your tubes and it keeps it snug and no rattles. It looks more finished also.

 

[Loyd Dinneen]

Thats a great idea I was thinking of getting a inflatable boat to use as a dingy and want to put a floor in it and was going to use plywood and using the hose to protect it is a great idea.