? about wood deck put on seats of aluminum semi-v

I have an older Alumacraft 16 ft. semi-v that I (wife) would like me to put a deck for her to lay out on when I am fishing. I was wondering if I could put plywood from the bow seat running back to the to the third bench seat simply laying it on the factory bench seats. Would it be too high and tippy? If I am able to do this what thickness of sheet would I need. I am possibly a lttle undepowered with my 9.9 tiller so weight is a factor. Any help greatly appreciated . Nice site here...thanks It's probably obvious I am pretty green so I hope I can understand the terminology....but I sure want to learn...Take care...

 

dladave

Wood, when wet and laid on bare ally you will a sticky white hydroxide called poultice corrosion. So you need to protect the surface of the ally, such as painting or a silicone based sealant.

 

Yes, you can do so. But as mentioned, wood will corrode your aluminum, especially if you use treated ply. I did this on a small flat that I had years ago. You may need a brace, like a piece of angle down the center. Just be sure to keep the wood from contacting the aluminum.

 

Is it going to be a fixed deck? If so, 1/4" will do if you put a three or four of 1X2" stiffeners. Make them run parallel to the centerline of the boat (fore and aft).

 

thanks for replys

Do I need marine plywood? I was just going to put the deck in as needed...so maybe just paint and go?

 

No, you do not need marine ply but you do want waterproof glue used when they make the plywood. This is shown as an X on the plywood at the end of the grade listing. Example CCX means each side face is a C grade and X = exterior grade. They have ABX, BCX, ACX with A grade on one side meaning no flaws on the face. You can use a layer of waterproof Vinyl as a washer between metal and wood put down with waterproof adhesive. Then prime the wood and use a good enamal on the top surface. ( exterior )

 

Awesome!!! Thanks a million

 

The above is absolutely true. I just finished removing a nicely built but rotting plywood floor and decking from my aluminum boat and every single place that the wood touched the aluminum, it corroded. The wood will move and it will wear away the paint eventually, resulting in contact. Not sure what people recommend to insulate the aluminum from the wood, as I'm putting aluminum flooring in my boat.

 

If you really want to you can use wood, BUT, you need to protect the wood from becoming wet. Once it is wet and in contact with the ally, that's when the trouble starts.
Having said that any 'wick-like' material that absorbs water and is on contact with ally, you'll get poultice corrosion.

 

Filling in between the seats would be better than paqssing over them. Lighter and a little lower. Also, no contact with the aluminum.
You would have to drill some holes. The holes would be on the edges of the seats, not the tops. Each end of the platform set between the seats would have pins to fit into the holes. One end would have spring-loaded pins. Nothing more than loose aluminum rods a couple of inches long inside of a hole drilled in wood (oak pieces that also are screwed to the perimeter of the plywood (1/4") pieces. Put a spring behind them and a cross-drilled hole/cotter pin to prevent them falling out. Reach under and pull pins to release.