The Skinny on Skinnen a Toon

[FishinInMizzou]

Last year I bought a 20' suntracker. Enjoyed it through the season and knew the deck was soft from the console back - it sits low in the water in the back. I took everything off of it and replaced what had turned into cardboard from the console back. Took it out two days ago for the first run of the year and when we went back to the launch we ran for a about 15 minutes WOT or close to it. While I waited for my son to back the trailer down, I noticed the carpet was wet in a straight line across the deck and was spreading. We caulked it from the top and in between the plywood when we installed it, but I guess not well enough. What do you think about putting a skin on the the bottom, and how would you do it?

Thanks, Ken

 

[imported_John o]

Re: The Skinny on Skinnen a Toon

http://www.pontoon.net/fusetalk/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=90&threadid=22980&enterthread=y


Quoting user Sarge: "Here is how mine were done. Both toons I've owned were skinned in 5052 alloy .063 thick. This is tuff stuff. If you are using .032 thick aluminum it may be a 3000 series alloy. This means it is softer and will not be a strong as the same thickness 5052 alloy would be. Also the thinner stuff will make some noise when the water hits it.
You can debate screws vrs rivits all day long. Both have merit. Rivits in quanity are very strong but inhibit future access. Screws are faster/easier to install but allow access easily. They do tend to vibrate loose over time.
Here is how both of mine were done. Before the sheet goes up I put a 1" wide strip of RV putty tape on the cross member. The tape will temp hold the panel until fastened. The putty tape will act as a locking device for the screws and damping any noise coming from the skin. I then used #10 1" long hexhead stainless self drilling/tapping screws to fasten the skin panels. I spaced them 1" in from each edge and about 4"-5" apart after that. I know this sounds like a lot of screws but if you lose one or two it will not matter. I bought my screws at my local Fastenal store in bags of 50 or 100. You have a store near you on Rt 22 east of Huntingdon. They are much cheaper on stainless hardware than Lowes is.
I started in the back with my first panel and overlapped the aft sheet as I worked forward installing the next one. I used 1" srews for all due to the fact you will be going through two sheets at the overlap."

 

[cc350]

Re: The Skinny on Skinnen a Toon

I used 5/32 56L aluminum rivits, siliconed along each beam, 3" spacing.
It's been 3 years now and nothing loose or rattling. Friend did his with screws and must tighten a few every few trips out,and has lost a dozen or so. He ended up finding some self tappers with a locking grip under the head and to date has less problems.