Hub Floor Idea

[papadarv]

I have the Eskimo 949i, great unit just has a smaller door. Best thing I added was a Hardboard underlayment floor that is 8' x 8' made from 4ea. 4'x'4 sheets tide together with piano hinges. (Folds to 4' square). Cut 8 holes but usually only use 6 as 3 people is max with comfort in the 949i. Floor eliminates the slippery water on ice, cold Ice, slush inside the hub and keeps your gloves dry when you drop them, feet stay warmer as they are off the ice. Has significant heat improvement. I believe all of the hubs offered are great, just depends on the features you desire. Size, height, weight etc. All use the same set-up process. This floor is 8’x8’. This season will be going on 4 years with heavy use on the floor and still going strong. For me the floor turned out to be priceless.

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This .pdf is a drawing with dimensions

Shack Floor.pdf

Fishing with floor in 8'x16' hut. Covers half the hub.

Eskimo 949i Hardwood Floor

The flooring material I use is “Hardboard Tempered Panel (Common: 1/8 in. 4 ft. x 8 ft.,; Actual: 0.115 in. x 47.7 in. x 95.7 in.)” which I found at Home Depot.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-Hardboard-Tempered-Panel-Common-1-8-in-4-ft-x-8-ft-Actual-0-115-in-x-47-7-in-x-95-7-in-832777/202046928

I use 2 ea. 4x8 ft. sheets cut in half to make 4 ea. 4x4 panels.

The piano hinges are 4’ long, 48 screws for each hinge. Menards sells them. Screws are #8 ½” long flat head beveled screws and nuts.

The smooth side of the panel is down and rough side up. Smooth side will not freeze to ice form the bit of water after drilling and the rough side prevents slipping as it gives some traction.

When you install the piano hinge, make sure the hinge part (long hinge pin) is up. Beveled part of screw into hinge, nut on panel side. Recommend using a hand tool verses power driver like a DeWalt to tighten nuts as the screws twist off very easy with the DeWalt.

I lay the panels out rough side up tight together and lay the hinge on top of the panel. I first put the 4 end screws in and tighten to hold everything together, than install the balance of screws. Also due to the panels being 4’ long, it is much easier for two people to put on the hinges unless you have 4 ½ foot arm length.

I cut about 6” off each corner to allow for Hut Ice anchors.

I made the holes 12” as almost all Wheel House holes are 12 ¾” and I also use a 10” ice auger.

When I cut my holes in the completed floor I did so when it was folded. That way I only did two cuts verses 8. On occasion when I have 3 people in the hut, I drill the 7^th hole (away from the door) and put my camera in that hole.

I used this floor a lot for 3 seasons, still in excellent shape. I just set it up vertically in my garage and let it dry out after each outing. Total cost was about $20 US so if it falls apart, I just build another one. So far it is working great.

 

[mrklean]

Looks good I made a floor for my spear house using left over plywood and some 2"x2" works great nice to stay off the ice and slush when your sitting all day.