Thanks for everyone's advice. This is the first boat I've ever owned. I'm not really wanting to restore to factory condition, just get it done enough to take fishing a couple times a month.
This is a death sentence for plywood, spar varnish is of little value in this situation, it takes a great deal of effort to make plywood survive under carpet for a long period of time.
This is a death sentence for plywood, spar varnish is of little value in this situation, it takes a great deal of effort to make plywood survive under carpet for a long period of time.
Also please do not use pressure treated plywood in your aluminum boat. Good quality plywood that is exterior grade if you can't afford or don't want to afford marine ply.
If you buy a good quality sheet of plywood and don't do anything to it, it should last 5 plus years under carpet, with nothing over it the lifespan will be much longer, maybe 3 to 4 times longer if it's dry when not used. Epoxy will extend the useful life of either method much longer, but if you drill a hole, or don't seal an edge, all bets are off.
