Flat topping aluminum boat

[trevormlb]

I'm trying to flat top my aluminum flats boat and i had some questions about aluminum. I want to have hatches for storage and I want it to be sturdy enough to stand on. What gauge of aluminum sheet should I use if I'm riveting it together? Has anyone else tried this?

[Ad Hoc]

Depends on how heavy you are and how large the hatch is...

[timgoz]

Hi Trev,

Welcome to the forum.

You may want to provide more info on your boat to get an informed reply.

Beam, LOA, proposed deck beam spacing, etc...

Take care.

Tim

[trevormlb]

It's a massive 12' landau skiff. I live near Sebastian Inlet, Florida and I use it mainly for the shallow flats. It has a small bow platform and then a 30" gap back to the front bench seat. So it's difficult to sight cast, watch where you are stepping, balance and keep everything organized.
So I want to flat top it from the bench forward with hatches for a live well and storage. I am thinking about reinforcing it with 2x2 or 3x3 square Aluminum tube and I need info on distance between braces and the gauge of aluminum sheet that I should use.