Floor boards for Wipline float hatches

[SEFYK]

The huge float hatches in my Wiplines are fine to carry a lot of stuff, but the problem is that it sometimes is drenched in the bilge water which collects at the bottom.
I read somewhere that there are floor boards for the hatches which keep the things above that water. I think about building them on my own (are there any from Wipaire?). They should be removable and lightweight.
Any suggestions or pictures would be welcome.

[Amy]

Hello,

I'm still checking but so far it doesn't look like Wipaire has produced these. However, that is not to say that a few custom changes weren't made at some point in time, but it is more likely a one-off item. I'll see if there is anything else I can dig up--I'm sure that other Wipline float flyers have built these before.

--Amy

[Indabush]

I made mine out of marine plywood, 2 pieces side by side lengthwise.

[Dave Calkins]

A common solution is a foam-sandwich board.

I have seen many that are 1/2 inch thick pvc or urethane foam with a 17 ouncespersquareyard fiberglass layer on top and bottom.

Lightweight and strong.

On the Aerocet 3500's it is not necessary to split them lengthwise. Not sure the hatch size on the Cub Aerocets.

Take care where the edges of your float floors lay on the bottom skin of the floats. It is common for chafing to occur.

If you use plywood, seal the edges well to make them last.

[cubdriver2]

What about the plastic eggcrate drop ceiling grids, cheap, lite, easy and you might be able to shape it with a heat gun



Glenn

[Dave Calkins]

Glenn, Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ultimate solution, for sure!!!!

If that plastic 'eggcrate" isn't quite strong enough. This has me thinking of another similar product that is much stronger...it is used to stabilize a foot-trail (and some four-wheeler trails) on soft ground where erosion is a problem. Lightweight molded fiberglass grid.

[sburg58]

So Dave, would you have a source or link to these fiberglass grids?

[Dave Calkins]

No. I just mentioned them to Randy Apling (7556C on this site) and he said they're pretty heavy.

...so....I've seen some loading pallets that were molded plastic and the "grid" portion looked suitable....

Still wanna check Glenn's idea...

[8GCBC]

Be careful of forward CG with amphibious gear! The compartments are forward arms.

[Amy]

A little birdie tells me that CubCrafters made some of varnished marine plywood with a stiffener on the bottom. They were a two-piece item to fit through the hatch. Sounds similar to what Indabush built up. I'm told there may be a used set available from CC if you are interested.

[SEFYK]

Thanks Amy, but with the shipping cost to europe it will be more economic to fabricate them from the material suggested