marine plywood for new deck

[Bow Guy]

No Title

Go aluminum and don't look back..

 

[Drb007]

yup, aware dimensional lumber is smaller than listed. I was unclear in my message. I was absolutely thinking a 1x4 plywood block. I replaced the solid dimensional cross members in my boat with laminated plywood.

But, this aluminum floor...wow!!! What was the cost?

 

[Bow Guy]

yup, aware dimensional lumber is smaller than listed. I was unclear in my message. I was absolutely thinking a 1x4 plywood block. I replaced the solid dimensional cross members in my boat with laminated plywood.

But, this aluminum floor...wow!!! What was the cost?

$365 and no treating just fit and rivet.. they cut to my demensions and I just had to cut the well notch and ski locker..

 

[PTChief]

Not for me.....I got a 5x15 panel, 3/16ths thick, for 40 bucks. More than enuff to do a floor and have some for sides and pieces. Check around your area...Craigslist under "materials"......the stuff is used a lot by sign guys and commercial fa?ade builders. I cut it myself with regular tools...carbide blades of course.......it cuts clean with a little bit of dust.....shavings really.....sweep 'em up when you're done cutting. Pound for pound, much better than wood. As a note, I didn't rivet mine in, I pre-drilled and used machine screws. I have some wiring under the floor and didn't want to block access.

 

[Drb007]

OK, I'm really intrigued. I had never thought about using aluminum for the floor, but you two have really piqued my interest. Some questions:
How thick of a sheet is needed to really hold up for a floor that is just resting on the stringers? I have a Skagit SkiMaster that has a very impressive fiberglass stringer system that this might work well for.
Does the floor add to the overall strength of the boat like a plywood floor does when glassed in? I have fiberglass stringers, no wood, so I don't think machine screws will hold it down over time.
Please, teach me more.

 

[Bow Guy]

I used 1/8" aluminum and riveted it down it to the aluminum stringers and supports, but honestly don't know how it would work on a fiberglass boat, you can look at my restore in the restoration thread.
orums.iboats.com/forum/boat-repair-and-restoration/boat-restoration-building-and-hull-repair/10072131-86-smoker-craft-challenger-floor-replace