Aluminum for floor.

[jtrip]

Fairly new here, been lurking for a while. I'm wanting to put a floor in a one year old 1648 Sylvan. I found a
5X12 ft. sheet of 1/8 aluminum for scrap price of $150. It's a lot more than what I need but it's the only scrap I have been able to find without having to drive to far and they wont cut it. I think the price is good for this area. My question is, is the .125 aluminum a bit of overkill and to heavy? I'm guessing it will ad about 60 lbs. to the boat.

 

[Captain Ahab]

It will work great! Because it is heavy you can save on the amount of bracing needed

You will be surprised at how fast you will go through a sheet like that - so I do not think it is way more then what you will need.


Think raised casting deck next! =P~

 

[flatboat]

I have that for the floor in mine . it's like walking in your kitchen ,nothing moves , feels good and strong and he's right about the leftovers ... nice casting deck .

 

[doc1976]

I always wondered about using aluminum for the flooring. At the price of marine grade plywood seems a good way to go. The last time I bought a sheet of aluminum (although its been a few years) it wasnt all that expensive. the extra cost should prove worth it in the long run.

 

[BigTerp]

I have .125" aluminum for my floor. I'm happy I didn't go with anything lighter.

 

[jtrip]

Thanks for the input everyone. Think I will go for it. I'm sure I will find a use for the extra somewhere down the road.

 

[Paul Marx]

The only problem I had when I put mine in was cutting it. I thought the neighbors would kill me when I went to cutting it out. Make a templet out if cardboard to make sure you've got everything right . Before you put it down , clean the tops of the ribs real good and apply 3M 5200 to the ribs . Anchor it down with aluminum rivets. No rattling and it's there to stay .

 

[flatboat]

theer's a saw blade called Diablo its ,makes short work of cutting 1/8 plate for straight cuts.

 

[BigTerp]

Paul Marx » Yesterday, 4:27 pm[/url]"]The only problem I had when I put mine in was cutting it. I thought the neighbors would kill me when I went to cutting it out. Make a templet out if cardboard to make sure you've got everything right . Before you put it down , clean the tops of the ribs real good and apply 3M 5200 to the ribs . Anchor it down with aluminum rivets. No rattling and it's there to stay .

I agree with all of this except for the 5200. You'll most likely at some point have to take your floor out to fix a leaky rivet, clean, etc. All the 5200 is going to do is give you a headache trying to get your floor back out. Mine is attached to the ribs with rivets and it's very sturdy. It also is quiet and doesn't vibrate or rattle. I attribute that to getting my foam board in the proper size to fit snugly under the floor.

 

[RiverBottomOutdoors]

I wouldn't glue it down with 5200. Concerned about vibration, maybe use a sealant product that does not have the adhesive properties of 5200.

 

[flatboat]

if you put carpet on top of your ribs before you put your plate it will not rattle . I screwed mine. stainless washer under head to spread the load . it's been in there 5 years with no issues. haven't had a screw loosen up yet . I would deff not glue it down . I also put foam under the floor that really cuts the noise and adds flotation also adds little resistance to denting the bottom .... as always just my opinion

 

[jtrip]

I will be putting foam between the ribs. Also thinking about putting a bead of silicone on top of each rib to take care of the rattles.

 

[BigTerp]

Silicone would be your best bet. I used a bit on a few spots on my bow deck, but not on my floor. Like I said, I get zero vibration/rattle with my floor just riveted to the ribs.