342 stair removal

Stodge

We're looking at pulling up the carpet and having plasteak or something like that installed in it's place.  The stairs seem to be held in with screws on the bottom and more across the bracket at the top.  Just wondering if anybody has done this and if there are any surprises in store me.

Black_Diamond

Taking them out should be straight forward, but unless you are willing to modify the stairs, you'll want to run the plasteak around the bottom mounting location.  You'll have to shim up the thickness of the carpet under it too. 

PartsMan

I replaced the carpet with plasteak and did not have to shim the steps. I did use the padding might have made a difference  

Michael T

I have been told that that ss stair assembly is an essential cockpit flooring support not just a cosmetic stair hanger. I'd want to make sure it was real snug and wouldn't allow deflection. MT

explore7425

I did that job on a 342 we used to have. I actually went around the pole the steps are mounted to. To finish it off I used an escutcheon plate found at your plumbing supply. See example here: 

http://www.nexusdistributing.com/products-page/hand-rail/round-split-escutcheon/

I also made treads out of mahogany.  People loved it. 

explore7425

You have two choices for water. Mahogany or Teak. Mahogany is much cheaper. I bought 3" stock from specialty lumber place called Mr. Roberts. I glued it up then traced the old steps, cut them out, and then planed them with a belt sander. I used a floating vinyl floor that had self adhesive tung and groove. It was the best modification ever getting rid of that carpet. We loved that 342 but it just got a little too small for us. 

I did put a  subfloor and luan underlayment in underneath: 

MarkB

Explore, that looks real nice. Great job man!

explore7425

Rough fiberglass and glue. I felt it was best to get a properly supported smooth surface for a good look and longevity. We sold our boat in under a month and I think it was the plasdeck on the outside and the vinyl on the inside that sold it. All other comparable boats had carpets and given the choice buyers don't want that. 

explore7425

http://www.ttcustommarine.com/ has my templates for the cockpit and swim platform and the interior I did in place. 

explore7425

I used double sided carpet tape on the sub floor and the luan is down with a very thin double sided tape on the perimeter. I taped the seams with gorilla tape. It came out very smooth. 

PartsMan

http://rinkerboats.vanillaforums.com/discussion/442/wood-steps-for-sale#latest

I made made two steps backwards. Notice the where the angled corner is. If they'll work for you make me an offer!!!

summerx

That looks fantastic!  did you remove the original cabin carpet first or just go over it?  I really want to do that this winter, but the thought of scraping that all up just doesn't sound fun....
I wondered about laying a subfloor over the old carpet?

PartsMan

I did take the carpet out. Hardest part is fixing the imperfection in the floor that the carpet hides. Here are some before and after pictures.
Hardest part is fixing the imperfection in the floor that the carpet hides. 

Lobodemar

Looks  mighty good

raybo3

That looks great. I am horrible at wood work. I would kill that....lol 

MarkB

I like what you did with that step, but under that new floor step is good storage access for shoes.  That's where we keep ours, out of the way.

DanD2

What would I expect to see if I removed the carpet from the steps on my 05 342?

Michael T

Such unbelievable talent. THAT'S what I admire about Americans - ALWAYS coming-up with ways to make things better. Friggin' amazing work guys!!!!! MT.....BTW This work is, imo, a perfect example of the reason why no one should ever short sell the USA. Times may be tough, at the moment,  but Americans are always driven to do "something new" and be the best. Such attitude always pays-off. My compliments. MT

JMGINWV342

I took the good work that Explore shared and did the same for my 342. 

Have not installed the steps but getting close. 

DanD2

JMGINWV342 said:

I took the good work that Explore shared and did the same for my 342. 

Have not installed the steps but getting close. 

Did you make new stairs or is that what it looks like after carpet removal and staining?

Lobodemar

@ to remove but the benifits will be extraordinary

explore7425

The best day ever is the day you get rid of the carpet. It felt so good.

JMGINWV342

I made new stairs.

JMGINWV342

Got the stairs installed.

raybo3

Nice job. Looks great.

tkrfxr

I am being tempted to take this on....

I would like to see someone do this in matching cherrywood color...

summerx

I really want to do this, but don't want to tackle the carpet removal.  thoughts about going directly over the carpet with a subfloor first?

JMGINWV342

I did not remove carpet.  Did sub floor over carpet.

Black_Diamond

I agree with RY. I've soaked that carpet 3 times between the shower sump and A/C leaks. 

Black_Diamond

No, my a/c pump leaked once, strainer leaked once. Shower sump the pump failed. The drain holes in the stringers are missing so it fills up and gets to the carpet. 

Black_Diamond

They should. Key word: should. I'm missing a drain to the mid bilge pump in the area where the shower sump is.