[Poppa]

I have a Lowe Big Jon 1648 that I want to put an aluminum Diamond plate floor in.
I want to keep weight to a minimum But I want to use plate thick enough not to bend.
What thickness would you recommend?

 

[1sporticus]

I have an Oquawka allweld, and it's made out of 1/4" aluminum. I have 1/4 diamond plate on the floor. The floor has a rib on 12" centers. No problem with flexing ect. Hope this helps. Later Andy

 

[Pip]

My SeaArk has 1/8" aluminium diamond plate. Seems sufficent enough. Probably be good idea to decide with the spacing on your cross supports as to what thickness you would need. I didn't measure mine but,I think mine is on 18" centers.

 

[Longjohn119]

If you are going right on the ribs you can put that blue or pink foam between the ribs and use a lot lighter aluminum and rivet it every 4-6" along each rib. You end up with 1 1/2" or 2" of foam sandwiched tight between two layers of aluminum essentially making a 1 1/2" - 2" thick hull (Think Boston Whaler only using aluminum)

Advantages

1. Allows use of a lighter gauge of sheet aluminum for the floor with no loss of support - Saves weight

2. Provides additional flotation

3. Prevents hull 'oil canning'

4. Makes boat quieter

 

[Frog Legs]

They are really proud of aluminum tread plate! I just bought a 32" by 32" piece of 3/16" to beef up the front deck of my roughneck for a boat seat base. It was $128 at the local welding shop. Depending on how old the boat is, you could end up having more $ in the floor than the rest of the boat!

 

[Poppa]

Thanks for the info guys. The electricians at work have used 1/8 " tread plate upright
on posts with the tread to the back to mount transfer switches and breaker panels
for outside control panels for standby generators. I talked with them and they paid
around $220 for a 4 by 8 sheet buying direct from the manufacturer. We have a
manufacturer in our town.
I hope to do my boat for less than $400. But I have not been to manufacturer yet.
I hope I don't get my feelings hurt.LOL
I am thinking 1/8 to 3/16 is what I need. Thanks

 

[Guest]

WoW-here-in-MO-That-stuff-Is-super-cheap-were-i-get-mine-i-priced-my-whole-16fter-out-and-it-was-160-bucks-i-thought-that-was-high-hahah!

 

[bluejay]

Where you find it that cheap in Mo. Rob? Last I checked it was high here on the west side.

 

[LEROYDOZOIS]

WoW-here-in-MO-That-stuff-Is-super-cheap-were-i-get-mine-i-priced-my-whole-16fter-out-and-it-was-160-bucks-i-thought-that-was-high-hahah!

A 4X8 SHEET HERE IN HAVASU AT A SCRAPYARD IS ABOUT $100....

CANT IMAGINE DOUBLE THAT OR TRIPPLE LIKE SOME HAVE PAID

 

[lucescoflathead]

I just bought 2 pieces of aluminum one was 47"X41" the other was 41"X13". It cost 170.00 I/8 thick smooth finish. I was going to use diamond plate,but I'm going to coat it with Herculiner and didn't want to sand blast it ( I didn't want to put the hood on and still dig sand out of my ears) This way I can sand it.

I tried to buy some non-polished aluminum and it was more expensive than the polished stuff. I like the idea with the foam between the ribs.