Subject: a clever trick from Ben Abbott (W4594) to keep the four Mk I floorboards in place
----- Original Message -----
To: Jamie Abbott W4594
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 12:54 PM
Subject: confirmation of floorboard fastener details

Hi, Jamie and Ben:
 
Just to check that I got the right email address during our phone call just now, and to confirm that I'm correctly getting the info that will go into the WIT on my web site.
 
 
As per the picture above, we are looking at fairly flexible plastic such as Lexan, which Ben got in the scrap bin of a local plastics store. 1/8" thickness: must be flexible yet strong enough to hold the floorboards in place, even when the boat is filled with post-capsize water; length will be just shorter than the length of overlap between the forward and aft boards, width about 2"?  
 
The screw head entry holes are towards the outer end in each case, so that to snap the plate into position, you have to insert one end, slide it in, and then bend the strip in the middle to get the other end to go over the screw head and then finally let the strip snap into place.
 
Does that sound about right? I want to post this on the WIT, and also to make a pair of these for myself.
 
Thanks and best regards,
 
Uncle Al (W3854)


an addendum from Ben:
-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Abbott
Sent: November 3, 2007 6:04 PM
To: "Al Schonborn"
Cc: Ruth & Jamie Abbott
Subject: confirmation of floorboard fastener details

I would say you might want a slightly thinner piece of Lexan, closer to 1/8", otherwise it gets too hard to bend to install and remove.  For width anywhere between 1-1/2 and 2" is fine, if it gets too wide it might be easier for it to get caught on something.  Oh, many hardware stores carry Lexan, including Home Depot, but you have to get a full sheet there, which may cost you $30-50
 
 
Ben