Batman Batboat: Aluminum or stainless steel sheet metal for dashboard???

[Darren Nemeth]

I am working on a back yard reproduction of the 1966 Batman Batboat. I am nearly finished but need your help.

The black and white photo below is of the original Batboat. The color is the one I am working on.

The original had sheet metal on the dash and center console. It was probably aluminum. However, I can get stainless steel or aluminum for mine.

What would be the pros and cons of using stainless or aluminum in my boat?

Will either be adversely effected by variations in weather and humidity?

How about corrosion?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Batman Batboat: Aluminum or stainless steel sheet metal for dashboard???

What would be the pros and cons of using stainless or aluminum in my boat?

Ayuh,.... SSteel is a ***** to work with, cuts hard, drills hard, 'n generally not much fun...

I'd go with Aluminum...

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Batman Batboat: Aluminum or stainless steel sheet metal for dashboard???

SS is very heavy and it will scratch, think about your fidge or other stuff with that kind of metal. I agree that Alum. is a good choice, it will be easier to work with too. Then cost may be a factor too but I haven?t checked the price of Alum. lately either, cool project.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: Batman Batboat: Aluminum or stainless steel sheet metal for dashboard???

^^^^^^X2....But if you get it machined or lazer cut and never expect to modify it (doubtful if it were mine) stainless would be sweet. Polished stainless should hold up better to the elements. Having said that I'd go with aluminum polish it then coat it with something clear.

Very cool project. Keep us posted! We will stay tuned.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Batman Batboat: Aluminum or stainless steel sheet metal for dashboard???

Thanks. Aluminum it is.

 

[oops!]

Re: Batman Batboat: Aluminum or stainless steel sheet metal for dashboard???

atta go batty !

great to see you are still at it.
the alum is a great choice......you can get it cut by water jet for about 20 bux if you talk nice and get the shop excited about your project......the hole saws to cut thru your alum will run you about 50 bux...(possibly a cheap harbour freight set around 25)

cheers darren
ward

 

[oops!]

Re: Batman Batboat: Aluminum or stainless steel sheet metal for dashboard???

just checked your blog darren.....

the seats are no big deal at all for any upholstery person.

the seats pictured in the rebuild you saw at the boat show, are standard for a glastron with the rolls down the center....your upholsetry person can bang them off in no time. the difficult thing will be cutting the foam to form....but again, nothing to a pro that does it all the time.

i like those iboats fenders.

 

[oops!]

Re: Batman Batboat: Aluminum or stainless steel sheet metal for dashboard???

hey darren.....where are ya?......hows the boat coming?......i checked the blog....you said you were allmost done the cowls and you were gonna start working on the fin?

check in and let us know !...

if you want to sell it.....ill drive down there to get it and finish it !.....

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Batman Batboat: Aluminum or stainless steel sheet metal for dashboard???

Still working on it. It got rained on for 20 minutes today and I'm letting it dry out. About to go out and fit and cut the black naugahyde into the side pannels.

Vinyl floor goes in probably Sunday. Have to get a router to cut the rear scallops. Will do that Sunday too.

I don't post updates that much because it has become too much of a distraction. When winter comes I'm going to catch up on the blog.

 

[oops!]

Re: Batman Batboat: Aluminum or stainless steel sheet metal for dashboard???

way to go buddie....keep it up darren !