NAUTIKFLOR SUPER SPIFFY FLOORING FOR BOATS PART 1-12/5/21

In this week's video, we begin installing our new NautikFlor. A new floor is a project I have been looking forward to for quite some time. The white patterned plywood we had was good while it lasted, but we were both ready for a change. We went back and forth, trying to decide whether to go with hardwood or synthetic flooring. Teak and holly would be very labor-intensive, but it would give us that classic, warm feeling we both wanted. However, when considering other materials, most of the synthetic flooring looked, well, synthetic. NautikFlor became a great solution. The surface is matte and woody, and the color is toasty like a classic teak and holly finish. Not to mention, the grain of the planks leaves a bit of a textured surface, so the floor is not slippery like a traditional varnished teak and holly floor.

We were a little daunted by the install process at no fault to the flooring because of Athena's many nooks, curves, and corners. The floor is click-together, but NautikFlor advised us to glue it down as well to prevent any sliding while at sea. After consulting NautikFlors, (and my Dad, who is the self-proclaimed, although it may be true, the biggest, baddest, floor layer of the North), we decided to cut and fit the entire floor, pull it up, then glue it. Fitting the floor first turned out to be the most straightforward process. Mads could take his time cutting and working the floor perfectly, and we didn't have to worry about tacky glue if we made a mistake.

After many planks, cuts, and trims later, the floor was ready to be glued. We wrote on each plank with painter's tape its position on the floor then pulled everything up. We spread the adhesive from the center of the kitchen island to port and carefully clicked each plank back into place. We were holding our breath until we got to the first edge and everything fit snugly. Then, we repeated the process on the starboard side.

Mads used a CNC template to cut out the floor hatches to get an excellent finish. Then, he went around the edge with the router to get a clean, finished edge. We didn't finish the hatches this week, but once we get those last pieces on the floor will look incredible.

We certainly can not forget the Oh Glorious Christmas lights. Last week Mads came back from the marina office and, oh so casually, mentioned talk of a Christmas light decorating contest in the marina. I marched right back down to the office to get all the details. Every year, except that past two because of Covid, there is a light decorating contest across most of the Premiere Marina's. The winner takes home a hamper (a new British term I've learned for gift basket) of gin or chocolate. I'm not a massive fan of gin or chocolate, but I am a huge fan of winning. Immediately ideas started soaring through my mind. Pirate Santa, too obvious. Penguins, too nice. The marina staff immediately rained in my competitive American spirit/curse; apparently, the Brits like beautiful and classy Christmas lights. That meant I had to take Santa in an outhouse off the table. That also meant most themes were out of the picture. So I thought to go big or go home. To win, we would need lots and lots of white lights (or at least that's what Mads and I compromised on). In the end, Athena looks beautiful and brightly dressed up for the Holiday season. Let's cross our fingers it's enough lights to bring home the prize ;)