crazy idea

not knowing anything about building boats i'm permitted to come up with unusual ideas

in a cold molded boat instead of using wood, how would narrow thin strips of aluminum epoxied together then with wood or aluminum outer?

 

The other way around makes sense, skins of sheet aluminum, glued to a core (foam or wood). In fact, you can buy panels made like this now.

 

Modern doors (for houses) are foam cored, aluminium plated with a veneer covering on both surfaces..

 

i was thinking of using the strips of aluminum as the veneer would never rot and may be stronger

 

Pound/pound wood is stronger.. and rot resistance ain't an issue when properly done with epoxy.. but possible and in some places might have major advantage like in ice..

 

Aluminium must be "clean" and "etched with fine grit" and even then if water gets in corrosion could be totally hidden until it falls apart because the alu became weak and corroded... nice try

My crew went to a lot of effort to prepare the forward beam on my build, several days of preparation just for that little area - and you are talking of a whole boat - - - Just build the boat of alloy - that material comes into its own around 40 to 45 ft LOA, so the rule of thumb goes...

 

Some of the early all aluminum or aluminum and bronze boats were glued and riveted like aircraft. Because of the difficulty welding, a welded boat required a filler to make it smooth, glued and riveted construction did not and therefor produced a lighter construction. But the reasons for it went away decades ago.

Aircraft are still glued and riveted for the light weight and the ability to repair & remove panels for inspection.

 

For a 3 meter canoe, what thickness aluminum would you recommend?