Treated plywood as flooring material

J

jim bosanny

Active member
I'm in need of some advice. I recently bought some exterior grade treated plywood to use as flooring in my aluminum flat bottom. Marine plywood was three times as expensive. Dad thought he remembered the treated plywood was or could be harmful in contact with aluminum. If that's the case I'll take it out and pay the extra for marine plywood. I'd rather have less money in my pocket than a boat with holes in the bottom!? Thanks.
Jim Bosanny
 
As far as I know treated plywood can and will corrode aluminum. There are different methods of treating lumber now and some may be safe, but like I said I understand that it will corrode aluminum.
 
Hi Jim,

I just did a quick Google search using "treated lumber corroding aluminum" and came up with a few hits. It looks like the answer is - yes, it can corrode aluminum. You might want to call the USDA Forest Products Lab in Madison and ask them any specific questions.
 
Jim Jr,

I have a 16' semi-v and wanted to put a floor in it. With the hull being tapered to the center I ended up taking treated 2x4s and cutting them as wedges to make the floor flat then screwing 1/2 treated ply to them. The floor is then screwed down with 4 stainless screws in the front half where the hull begins to rise. 4 screws pull the floor down fine. I have 2 floors, one carpeted for the summer and one painted ply for duck hunting. I've been switching them spring and fall since 2002 and haven't seen any corrosion or problems. This is probably not the new arsenic free ply though. Maybe a strip of white oak or cedar between the ply and rips would get you by.

George
 
Jim have you considered using a light wt. aluminum for the floor ? Your plywood will absorb water thus adding extra wt. to carry. Aluminum is lighter than wood,won;t rot and last longer. This is what I did ,I bought blue board insulation the same thickness as the ribbing in my boat and cut it to the width between the ribs pushed it down firmly then I made apattern to suit the fit on large cardboard fit and cut,fit and cut, untill its right.Then trace it onto the sheet or sheets required to do the job,then using your jig saw with a metal cutting blade cut the aluminum after inserting same mark the center line of the ribs location on the aluminum ,at 12" cntrs,drill thru alumunim and ribs to secure floor to the ribs using stailess steel screws.{NOTE BE SURE TO SET THE BITT OF YOUR DRILL THE CORRECT DEPTH ABOUT 1/2" } so as not to drill thru the boats bottom.Then purchase the rubber matts that PEP BOYS sell 4 in a pack for $ 9.99 cut to fit the floor then apply sticky back velcro tape apply two strips per pad to the underside of matt peal of the cover tape and lay in position this will hold the matt down while driving to your hunt spot ,the black rubber matt will keep the floor warm for your feet and your dog,it will deaden the noise if you drop a decoy and it does not hold water.
 
I frequent a site called tinboats.net & there are number of Aluminum "experts" there and those who have first hand experience with treated lumber eating up their boats.
Just use a regular AC plywood, give it a good coat of primer and a good coat of paint.
Should last years as long as it does not stay soaked.

Or get a piece of alumimun cut to fit your boat. I have a factory al. floor with the foam between the ribs and I loe it.
 
Do NOT use treated wood in an aluminum boat. I just replaced my treated floor after I discovered pitting and white oxidation stains around every screw hole. The damn wood even "ate" the screws! Use the regular plywood with a good coat of primer and paint. It'll probably out last your boat.
 
... and pay the extra for marine plywood. I'd rather have less money in my pocket than a boat with holes in the bottom!? Thanks.
Jim Bosanny You know, I didn't want to pay for marine plywood either when I started my boat.. But then I really didn't know much about boats or marine plywood. There IS a significant difference in the plywood. I had never used it before for anything. Marine plywood (at least the stuff I bought) was BY FAR the most quality wood I have ever purchased. Here is my 2 cents worth: If you are going to hunt with a dog, your dog will be much more comfortable on wood than metal and the boat will be quieter. Here is a suggestion. Fix your boat to suit yourself this season and hunt till you turn blue. Then, after the season is over, buy yourself some plans and make a wooden boat like the rest of us fanatics on this bulletin board. Before long, you will be just as loony as all of us (besides that, its fun). Dave
Click to expand...
 
Along the lines of what Dave was saying...........having your dog laying/walking/padding around on treated wood is NOT a good idea. Treated wood contains a poison which is activated when wet. That makes it easily absorbed by a dog in a wet environment.
The only true place for the use of treated wood is in direct contact with dirt/soil to prevent dry rot (which is actually wet-rot). ;)
Lou
 
Thanks for the feedback. I'll finish the season "as is" and pull the flooring. It will be a good project to do in the spring. I appreciate the expertise. Jim
 
I was pondering the same thing this past summer. I was actually going to use 5/4 treated boards, then decided to go with CEDAR 5/4 boards. It is 1/3 the weight and I'll have no issues with corrosion or the pup...... got the cedar quickly from my local lumber yard also.....

Tim
 
FYI I have treated lumber in my Sea-Ark since 1996 dosen't look like any damage to my boat I will keep a eye on it now
 
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