Metal sheeting under cockpit floor

[Ronar M]

Hi All

I presume that all Nic 38s had perforated metal screwed up under the cockpit floor to hold in the sound and insulation.  The metal sheet on Ronar M has deteriorated and corroded and needs replacing.  I am having a great deal of trouble finding a suitable metal replacement; stainless steel is too expensive, mild steel will rust, aluminium is available but is also expensive because the suppliers will only provide very large sheets (2m x 1m).  Also these large sheets would need to be cut to size – not easy.  Is there any reason that the sheets must be metal?  Has anyone replaced them with plywood?

Cheers, Trevor

 

 

[Ollie Holden]

Hi – I put in 50mm soundproofing material and held it in place with Long pan head screws with penny washers. It has held absolutely fine for the last nine or so years. I can’t recall where I got the sound proofing material but it was quite expensive as it has multiple layers and is silver-faced.

[Voltair]

For stainless steel sheet metal work made to order, try Ray Andrews on 07866-560770, MD/owner of Midtherm Ltd (ray-at-midtherm.com) who is a lifelong sailor of big and small boats, and all-round good sort.  I don’t think you will find him expensive.

John Kingsley (Voltair)

[Erik Theunissen]

Hi

I would assume some sort of aluminium mesh should be available for a fair price at your local DIY store. And why not mild steel? just make sure you paint it with a few layers of spray paint. Third option is what Ollie Holden suggested, some sort of (semi) riggid soundproofing material held in place with screws and large washers. Had it in my previous boat and works absolutely fine. In the “Ilmatar” we have a new teak cockpit floor installed by the P.O. Here the soundproofing is fixed with a wooden frame around it seems to hold good and is very heavy and rugged helping against vibrations.

Erik

[Author]

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