Need to replace the old flooring in a 15’ Duracraft jon boat. I am thinking about replacing with sheet aluminum instead of wood. Anyone have any experience with this? Will 1/4" be thick enough if the center of the crossbeams are 17.5" apart (i do plan to lay foam board in between the ribs regardless)? Based on what I could find it seems the weight would be comparable to 3/4" plywood. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Using foam under the sheeting, I would think 1/8" should work fine. are you going to attach it with rivets to the ribs? I think attaching the sheeting will add strength and noise control. Mabe paint it and add sand for non slip.
I planned on screwing it down so it would be easy to remove and clean underneath periodically. I was surprised how much dirt, leaves, acorns under the floor when i pulled it up. I was also planning to put down a sea deck type material on top of aluminum.
BGC
I did this in my last boat. 6mm alum/composite/alum sandwich sheet, riveted with gator hide foam on top. The foam sheet was an insulator for noise and temp and not slick. Plain alum is slick when wet. I wouldn’t worry about cleaning under it but would be concerned about SS screw/alum corrosion. I used lg head alum rivets. The material is just outside Summerton. IM me if you want a contact number. No affiliation here it’s just good stuff. My deer stand roof is made from it.
Closed cell foamboard between the ribs covered by 1/4" rubber truck bed liner has worked well for me.
Easy to remove for cleaning and cuts down on noise.
16’ Alumacraft Mod V Hull Jon Boat
25hp Yammy 4 stroke
I have a 1542 duracraft that id did this exact thing with. The most challenging part was custom cutting the aluminum to fit the outline.
I also used the 3m spray glue to bond outdoor carpet on the walking surface so it wouldn’t get hot or slippery. I couldn’t be more pleased with the result.
Like the previous poster said used closed cell foam underneath for support/buoyancy/noise reduction.
What Sternline said^^^. Put the foam in my G3 1648 and cut out rubber matting to fit. Quiet and easy removal for cleaning.
Just me, but would hate to drill hols in ribs. Dissimilar metals are not good, either, as in the screws.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
NN
Use a cardboard template to cut the aluminum to fit the outline.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
I used a sheet of aluminum from Dillon Supply, just under 1/8" can’t think of what gauge same thickness as most Road signs, Covered with a sheet of camo hydro turf. Filled between ribs with foam sheeting from lowes commonly used under stucco applications. Used SS screws to attach sheet to ribs. It has held up well, offers great grip and is cool in summer. Quieted down the boat quite a bit.