convert soft bottom inflatable to hard bottom dinghy

[Frosty]

Frosty can do it Frosty has done it, but its not good enough for Frosty but good enough for the Aussies.

[pistnbroke]

Thats my Frosty ..!!!

[ancient kayaker]

You can never keep a good man down: that's why Frosty's up here and you other guys are down there . . .

[pistnbroke]

No doubt you are down there with us then ,,,,

[ancient kayaker]

Originally Posted by pistnbroke

No doubt you are down there with us then ,,,,

No, not at present, but I do admit to getting an occasional sinking feeling . . .

[DennisRB]

Frosty can do it Frosty has done it, but its not good enough for Frosty but good enough for the Aussies.

I experienced none of the troubles you had.

For my girlfriends genuine Zodiac I used high quality marine ply. I think 10mm. I cut it in one piece to fit the square section of the bottom. It went in OK in one piece. I have plans to make a triangulated piece for the front section too with some sort of male and female slot system so the 2 pieces will stay together.

With the cheap dingy we only did the ply bottom as we forgot the alloy slats when we shipped the dingy interstate for our Adelaide to Brisbane yacht delivery. So we used the cheapest crap ply possible. It ended up cracking, but still worked fine. I initially cut it in one piece like I did for my girlfriends but there was no way it was going to squeeze in, which is why I had to cut it. However with the cut in the middle it had no tendency to try and overlap or fold. The trick is to make sure it boards are as large as possible so they are a tight fit. If you don't plan on epoxying it, I would put a few layers of duct tap on the edges after you round them to prevent chafing.

I will get pics of the Zodiac next time I am on the boat.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by DennisRB

I experienced none of the troubles you had.

I did not post what troubles I had,-- but---they were too many as you experienced. floppy floors are not acceptable and no matter what, sand and stones get into the edges and cause leaks.

[DennisRB]

Sure Frosty. If you can't get good results, no one can.

Cheers.

[Frosty]

Depends what you want, sure slats are crap and a piece of plywood instead is a better floor but no longer a roll up which is what it was.

If I had a girl friend with a dinghy I would have a look at her slats.