Aluminum Floor Question

Pat M

Pat M

Active member
So I'm 99% sure I'm going to put aluminum floor and casting decks into my 18' Lund (the John Deere boat) as long as I can work out the time with Bridgett's brother-inlaw. I have never really used aluminum before so I have a couple questions.

How thick of aluminum sheet would I need?

What kind of braces (square tubing, L shaped..???) and How far apart would I have to put braces? (Which I assume would be determined by the thickness of the aluminum sheet) I tried looking at Dave Larsen's to get ideas. I'm most worried about the front casting deck since its a big and high space, plus I'd like to try to put some kind of hatch in it to store stuff and a lid for the live well.

View attachment lundbow.jpg

My goal is to get everything measured and cut out so that way we can try to get everything done in a weekend.

Thanks for the help.
 
I can tell you from our recent boat build what I used.

http://www.duckboats.net/...h_string=flat;#81326

You can get by with 76, but it will require additional bracing.

We went with 90 & braced up the floor with 1x1x1/4 square tubing.

For the casting deck, we usde 3x1/4 half box.

Whatever you do, don't pre-cut your bracing pieces, any of them.

The older aluminum boats are twecked, twisted & never straight.

Cut each piece individually or your going to waste a whole lot of expensive material.

I know!!!
 
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