Side ply needed?

R

rschnack

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 29, 2002
Messages
94
Hi again.<br /> After looking at several potential project boats I'm back to the one I already have, a 1970 16' Alumcraft Sea Aira. My question concerns the 1/4" plywood attached to the inside of the sides. It helps make a storage pocket along each side but it seems to be mostly decorative. I am going to remove it to replace the floor. Can I just leave it out? I am thinking of putting some brackets in instead to hold rods and other things. If I make brackets, can I attach them to both the upper section of the boat and the hull? I am a little concerned that doing so may not allow the hull to flex enough and cause cracks. What do you think?<br /><br />Best regards,<br />RCS
 
C

crab bait

Captain
Joined
Feb 5, 2002
Messages
3,831
Re: Side ply needed?

hard one to answer.. not seein' your boat.. you make the call.. if'n it looks 'FAUX' then it is faux..don't need it.. if'n it's attached like a s o b,, then i'd keep it,, must be doin' somethin'.. <br /><br />i think brackets are fine.. attached here & there... can't do any harm..
 
JasonJ

JasonJ

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 20, 2001
Messages
4,163
Re: Side ply needed?

Yeah, if they were just screwed in, not part of the structure as is almost always the case, then leave 'em out. I left all that crap out of Skanky Beast, and it is fine. If it is glassed in really good, then it is part of structure, and you need to make sure that structure stays.
 
S

SCO

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
1,463
Re: Side ply needed?

My boat has them too, but I dont think it is structural on mine, but as crab says, you have to make that call while looking at the boat. I took off all the decorative plywood part and use the fiberglass pockets to hold rods, ladders, spotlights, etc. It's good shelf space.
 
R

rschnack

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 29, 2002
Messages
94
Re: Side ply needed?

Thanks for the input. It is not fiberglassed in, just rivited to the top part of the boat towards the front of the cockpit and screwed into the hull down low at the back of the cockpit. That is why I am a little concerned about puting something that doesn't flex in. The ply was not attached at both the top and the bottom lining up anywhere along the length. It's probably not going back in.<br />Best regards,<br />RCS
 
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