[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=357659#p357659 said:
rodknee1231 » 29 Jun 2014, 22:05[/url]"]Not worried bout speed as much as stability and fishability for lack of a better term
Dunno how well it will work on a V-hull - but I used FRP backed by expanding foam on my jon and it's very light, strong, and the foam eliminates that metalic thunk you get when anything falls to the floor and strikes the aluminum. Carpeted wood would probably have the same effect but would weigh a ton.
You can certainly use foam boards cut to fit to support a thinner decking material - if you do I would definitely recommend the FRP over the .062 aluminum:
1 - Both will require foam support @ ~$.75/sq ft. using 1" foam
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Owens-C...-Insulation-Board-86BG/100320343?N=5yc1vZbaxx but you'll also have to paint it with an outdoor latex to seal it from gasoline so that adds to the cost - but it's really a non-issue as you need it for either aluminum or FRP.
2 - Either one can be manipulated into shape using a simple hacksaw or jigsaw if you have one.
3 - Both have comparable mechanical properties in terms of the load they can bear before failure measured in PSI.
FRP - $1/sq ft.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbrand...ard-MFTF12IXA480009600/100389836#.Ul3LUVCkoas
- 0.62 lbs/ sq. ft (same data source)
Aluminum - ~$6/sq ft.
https://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=1242&step=4&showunits=inches&id=76&top_cat=60
- 0.92 lbs/ sq. ft. (same data source)
For those of you keeping score at home aluminum weighs 50% more and costs 6x as much...it was pretty simple decision making from that point for me.
And I can say the FRP backed by expanding foam in my boat is rock solid - no flex at all even when standing on 1 foot & I weigh 240 lbs.