Diamond Plate Decks for Lund S-18

[lundy9]

I have a 1977 Lund S-18 utility boat ( 4 bench seats) and wanted to create decks at the front and rear. I found some aluminum diamond plate (3/16") and wanted to know:

1) Do I need some reinforcement under the decking between the bench seats (I am laying the decking right on top of the benches to create the two decks), or is this decking stiff enough to withstand weight w/o it?

2) Will these decks adversely affect my center of gravity and make the boat more unstable?

Thanks,

Lundy9

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Diamond Plate Decks for Lund S-18

most likely you will need some type of reinforcement. nothing worse than a sagging deck. stability, yes, you are moving the center of gravity higher in the boat. so you movement, or deck, will increase the movement of the hull. put the boat in the water throw a board between the seats, then stand on it.

 

[jennis9]

Re: Diamond Plate Decks for Lund S-18

won't that be hot? and a bit reflective of the sunlight so not so easy on the eyes.

we thought the same thing - diamond plate would look AWESOME - but is it practical? would love to see pics...

 

[Pony]

Re: Diamond Plate Decks for Lund S-18

After much thought, I decided that I would try to add a deck and raised pedastal to my alumacraft. I did some testing with the boats COG and decided it could easily handle this. The pedastal is only 10 inches higher than before. The seat itself isn't used when the boat is under way.

I put bracing between the seats as you can see in the pictures. I used standard 1/2" ply and some indoor/outdoor carpet from Menards that I left over from the rest of the boat. I put in a removeable floor in between the rest of the benches so that I didn't hurt the hull's integrity by removing and bench seats. I would think you could make a rear deck in the exact same way......

All the materials for the 3 floor peices and front deck (ply, 2x4, carpet, adhesive for carpet, hardware) probably cost me less than $40.


AFTER:

I used some 2x4's I had laying around to make a frame between the seats. I then used some steel brackets to screw them in (putting silicone on the threads to seal the opening and keep the foam under the bench seat from getting wet) I decided to cut out a storage hatch at the last minute......I have my fishing net, anchor, spare prop, and boat cushion in there now...........

 

[Pony]

Re: Diamond Plate Decks for Lund S-18

This was previous to adding the deck.

I agree with a previous poster that the diamond plate will be very hot and reflective. I like the feel of the carpet on my feet, but many here hate having carpet in boats. I agree to an extent, but in my case the floor never gets very wet and it drys quickly. Plus in the off season the floor is removed and stored in the garage rafters..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Diamond Plate Decks for Lund S-18

nice job Pony. i hate carpet, buy your use of it is fine. it can be removed, and hosed, and allowed to dry.

 

[jennis9]

Re: Diamond Plate Decks for Lund S-18

That looks awesome! Nice Job.

 

[lundy9]

Re: Diamond Plate Decks for Lund S-18

Pony that's an awsome job you did on that boat.

Well...now that I have committed to the diamond plate I guess it's up to me to get ingenious about how best to use it. I am definitely going ahead with it as decking and going for the "awsome" look. Damn the hot toes... perhaps some type of light colored anti-skid coating could be applied? In any event, I will pursue constructing a wood frame for the front and back decks, and possibly adding hinged openings (I'm definitely not as handy as Pony).

If it turns out "awsome" I will post pic's, but if not, I will slink away quietly never to be heard from again...

Thanks for the advice, Lundy9

 

[jennis9]

Re: Diamond Plate Decks for Lund S-18

lundy - would love to see how that plate comes out.... if you do coat it it will probably look like decodot - but with diamonds. please keep us posted.

 

[Pony]

Re: Diamond Plate Decks for Lund S-18

Thanks for the compliments guys.

The hatch is a really nice addition if you are able to do it. I am very anal about things..........clutter being one of them. The hatch solves that problem and keeps the boat looking clean. Plus it keeps stuff out of the way that you might not use often. I use my drift sock maybe twice a year.........so it goes in the hatch

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Diamond Plate Decks for Lund S-18

With 3/16, you won't need that much structure. On my current boat, I am using .090 (real close to 3/32) and I have found that it will solidly support a person if supports are on about a 1 foot square. Course I have 6061 T6, which is a stiffer alloy. I have heard that with .125 (1/8 inch) that you need a minimum of about 16 inch square or so. I would probably say a 20 or 24 inch square would be good structure for that stuff. Although, I don't know what alloy you have, and it may very well be a flexier alloy.

 

[lundy9]

Re: Diamond Plate Decks for Lund S-18

Bassboy1, thanks for the advice. I am having trouble downloading small enough pic's for this forum but I managed one showing my progress so far. Try this link to my pic:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=262963

I decided on 2X2's (treated) for the under-structure at about 20" square (I'll post the framing later). Since this picture, I have added side reinforcement and finishing to the gaps via 2X2" aluminum angle-irons (3 in parallel to the gunnels at about 2" intervals screwed to the aluminum base plate of the bench seats) and on top of the angle-irons have placed marine-grade plywood topped with 3/16" fiberglass-reinforced marine PVC flooring. Hard to describe but I'll post pics later. Like a big floor of diamond plate bordered by a wide strip of PVC decking on either side. Very study and walkable now! I'm getting stoked to get this out on the water sooon!

Still need advice on how to start the cutting for my deck storage hatches!!

Lundy9