Replacing boat floor

[mike rousseau]

Hey everyone...

 

Gotta redo my floor in my boat...

 

Is there any reason I can't lay a sheet of aluminum instead of wood? Just a thought...

[bushart]

I know guys that lay checkerplate aluminum---clean easy and they love it---lighter

[Sinker]

No reason at all..go for it! Just make sure its strong enough, or you add extra support....i know your a big dude!

 

S.

[mike rousseau]

I know people that weld aluminum so I was hoping to add support as well as move seat locations...

[Sinker]

Best floor going if you ask me. Cover it in vinyl and your set for a looooong time.

 

S.

[steelhunter]

Where would you get it thick enough to use I need to do mine as well

[SlowPoke]

It's much more expensive and won't be lighter than marine plywood.

I used 3/16" plate and 1/4" angle for support. I just happen to be fishing with the guy that bought my old boat this weekend and the vinyl clad aluminium is 100% while the 3/4" marine plywood for the casting deck is already deteriorating under the seat post mount after 6 years.

If you plan on keeping the boat, go for it. Be prepared to support the plate because is will flex underfoot without adequate support.

[2 tone z71]

Mike I've been under a total restore all summer..still long way to go..But it was stripped right to the hull new foam and all...now the floors I thought about the aluminum ...its pricey but so is wood done right ..I went with 3/4 GIS.. two coats of west epoxy on both sides and perimeter,,, 3m 5200 any holes for seats screws over the epoxy etc...overkill..but i want it to last..the reason I did not go with the aluminum floor is the extra bracing required ..fit and finish ..and the noise..I work out of several all welded boats all day ..I like the comfort of wood and carpet..I've moved seats ..added seats...customized storage..its a good time to look at fuel ..bilge ..livewell hoses etc while your in there..good luck on your project

[aplumma]

A third thought is it will get hot in the sun. I removed a aluminum deck on the jetdrive and replaced it with wood and my feet are much happier.

 

 

Art

[mike rousseau]

Think I'm gunna stick with wood...

 

I've got a garage lined up already for winter... Gunna limp till then...

 

That'll give me time to get carpet and other supplies on sale maybe...

 

Another question tho... Rivets or screw down the floor...? Currently it's got rivets... It is an older aluminum boat that gets banged around in rough water enough so I was worried about screws coming loose... Not sure if lock tight would hold with all the banging...

[mpt]

Paint the wood with mistake paint from your local big box supply store. 1 quart will do 2 4x8 sheets. Cover with carpet or http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|2276179|2276198|2276202&id=23708, lasts a long time.

[Sinker]

Do wood with vinyl. Scrap the carpet idea.

 

I screwed my floor in with stainless screws and they haven't budged. They are much easier to install than the rivets, just make sure you don't screw them down too tight or they break off.

 

S.

[tb4me]

Hey Mike, im in the same boat..lol pun intended. Cant wait till after Walleye closes to tear into my boat..

[DRIFTER_016]

​My boat came from the manufacturer with all aluminium flooring.

​Way better than wood by far. All of the sub structure in my boat is also aluminium.

Decking is .125" (1/8") and carpet covered in my boat.

A lot of the West coast boats use aluminium checker plate decking with no covering.