Aluminum boat flex

[timruger1]

I just purchased a 2003 smokercraft sportsman 20 x 72 boat. This is a welded hull aluminum boat with a 115 merc and a 9.9 kicker both tiller

The hull is welded but the remainder of the boat is riveted. I would also call it a modified V hull jon boat

My previous boats were heavy welded aluminum jets, a 21 ft river wild with a 200 and a one off maxum marine 22ft with a 350 chev


When running this boat I noticed that the floor seemed to flex and could observe some flexing towards the bow area. I really cant find any cracked welds but I dont recall my other boats doing this.

Trying to decide if I should keep this boat or not.

My questions are; is this to be expected on a wide flatter aluminum boat or is this boat going to tear itself apart?

Is this simply the difference from a 10K smokercraft compared to a 20K super Vee?

 

[roscoe]

Tis the nature of jon boats made from large flat pieces of aluminum.

 

[jbcurt00]

Hep, I'd bet its also a lighter gauge of aluminum, and more prone to flex.

 

[I B Dead Eye]

I have a 54 Cadillac 14' Aluminum riveted with a 10hp. That's a 60 year old boat and it flexes. It flexes under my feet while sitting at the rear seat driving. Its was a little unnerving at first. But I guess they knew what they were doing. Just my thoughts but they must factor this flex in while developing and building. So I guess what I'm trying to saying is if my boat has held up for 60 years now, your should last also. For what's its worth?

 

[timruger1]

Thanks