fiberglass on aluminum

[altsciguy]

Hello all,
I have a 19' deep-v aluminum boat. Deck is shot. mushrooms growing all over the deck and mold/algea etc. growing up the side. It has/had carpet. Carpet is getting ripped out along with the old deck. I want to replace with plywood and fiberglass over top. the sides are aluminum. I would like to come up a foot or so on the sides with the fiberglass to seal the whole deck, bottom of the inside of the boat. I am thinking bathtub so I can hose out, and all water that enters flows out the back drain and not down into the boat. Now the aluminum side comes down and meets the plywood deck with a crack/space in the corner where they meet. I want to eliminate this with the fiberglass covering. Will the epoxy/fiberglass stick to the aluminum side. This would not be structural. just sealing the inside of the boat. Will it work, what do I do with the aluminum etc. Thanks. I will have to get some pictures today. This is not a big project and I doubt it will impress anyone but...it is my first. Thanks, Rick

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

Welcome to iboats Rick, great place for info.

Aluminum boats don't normally have the deck sealed to the side of the interior hull since the hull flexes quite a bit on the water. This would cause the seal to crack and fail so I'm not sure I'm on board with your plan. Fiberglassing the deck is great for waterproofing and adding strength...but not to adhere it to the sides.

I let my bilge collect water under the deck and hose off just the same.

What kind of boat is it? There are many aluminum restorations here to check out that might give you some ideas.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

I sort of have mixed views on this.

I wouldn't recommend glassing up the sides, although epoxy will bond fairly well, the difference in flex between the hull and deck may cause it to delaminated.

Now that I've told you not to do it, I must admit that my aluminum jet boat was done in this exact way about 10 years ago and is holding up fine (I used polyester). I'm not sure I would do it the same way again though, it just happened to be an easy option for me at the time. My hull is thick, or at least thicker than the typical aluminum boat so there isn't as much flex.

 

[altsciguy]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

hello and thanks for the very quick replies. I have been tearing out this afternoon. The boat is a 1992 Spectrum. The hull is aluminum plus there is an aluminum inner half wall (I will be taking pictures now for sure). It comes in a couple inches then drops down to the deck and is bent again for the deck boards to rest on. There are pole boxes resting on this ledge and cup holders drilled into it. The carpet that was on there near the deck had stuff growing out of it so I am cutting that off. Well let me take a couple pics, figure out how to get them on the computer and onto the forum and that will help. Thanks again. first time for everything, great to have some guides.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

My signature has a link on how to post your pics.

 

[altsciguy]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum


I hope this help (I hope they show up). You can see where I have torn up deck boards. There is foam fill on either side. I am leaving that. The worst side of carpet. (having the most stuff growing on it) I have cut off to show how high I would like to fiberglass. You can also see the self of aluminum inner wall. The tops are all aluminum also and I intend to leave the carpet on. That is still solid, dirty but solid. Thanks again

 

[altsciguy]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

I should have taken some real before pictures with seat, garbage, mushrooms, tarp shared etc. I have owned the boat since new but have not had the boat for a few years (long story) and it has been sitting outside in NY winters for 7 years. I simply do not like the carpet. It holds water, is hard to clean and well it gives me a plastic spoon on styrophome sense (like nails on a chalk board) I do not like the feel. I also have a hate hate relationship with the motor, a 90hp force. But one thing at a time. (I saw a few threads about that problem also). The boat, the hull the size and style I really really like. I have been bass fishing around weeds and structure to salmon fishing on 8' swells on Lake Ontario (fishing is not good on those swells. a less then highly productive day.) As I said the size, the style and the hull I love. my project is to correct everything else lol Thank you all.

 

[altsciguy]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

Good morning,
Ok let's talk foam. The boat deck had the classic foam fill holes in it. Not plugged, just carpet over lay. The foam was filled under the deck till it pushed out and filled everything. The foam is also saturated with water. I sit on the foam and my shorts get wet. I was thinking a few days in the sun to dry out........but after reading other posts I guess this is not going to fix the problem. The foam is in there tight, filling all around. I am sure it is keeping the boat tight, reducing flex, damping sound etc. giving the boat a more solid feel. I am also sure that it is holding water, blocking water drainage and adding weight and will eventually help the new deck rot from the bottom up. So, I want to seal like a bathtub on the top to protect the deck meanwhile below, this foam could be putting trapped moisture up from the bottom. I have yet to see a water tight boat. Even assuming this foam was dry and I seal the deck like a bathtub, eventually water will find its way down below my deck somehow. The only defense to water is air. So, cut all the foam out leave open area under the deck, less weight go faster, water flows to bildge, air moves and drys the underside of the deck and the boat rattles, flexes all my joints are stressed. Or cut all the foam out and replace with blocks, better water flow to bilge but boat still rattles and some moisture is trapped. Cut out foam and re-fill after deck is on, I have no idea what to use, how to get it, how to do it right and I may end up with voids, trapped water and the same place I am now. Finally, leave the foam, seal over with plastic or some such thing, try to create a barrier, and put new deck on. Right now the "leave the foam, try to seal and deck over it" plan is in the lead. Thanks for any imput or help

 

[Piece715]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

Foam is one of those topics that gets brought up a lot. First you DO want foam back in your boat. EZ always posts a picture of a boat saved by proper foam. Do a search and you'll find tons of information. A lot of tins don't like putting 2 part pour foam back in their boat cuz it can cause some warping of the hull and unlike some fiberglass boats the foam isn't used for structural support. The two options most people decide between is pool noodles and the blue/pink construction foam board from Lowes/Home Depot. I went with the foam board route. Hope this gives some help

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

I dont know much about foam filled alum hulls..but I would summize that the Pour foam is structural ?

REMOVE and REPLACE all wet foam IMHO. ( Bottles or noodles or Pour..if its structural ).

As far as glassing the deck to the hull .. hmm.. I would trust 5200 in the gap seams more then glassing ( or any other wood/alum compatible Flexible sealant ).

YD.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

As far as glassing the deck to the hull .. hmm.. I would trust 5200 in the gap seams more then glassing ( or any other wood/alum compatible Flexible sealant ).

YD.

This was my backup plan.

I have done a good deal of glassing to aluminum, and while I don't recommend it, I've had very good results over the years. I wasn't sure how well it was going to hold up in this application, so I figured if the 3-4" overlap up the hull side came loose I would just glue it back in place with the correct product, this way the lip would be a perfect match for the hull side. So far its been 10 years and there isn't even a hint of a problem. I still wouldn't advise anybody else to do it though, it's not reliable enough.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

I am assuming that you did not carpet..

Because if you cant see the delam..you never know its there until your boat is heavy on the *** end....

Now if your Glass is NOT covered with carpet..then you can see it..different story there ..

YD.

 

[Teamster]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

Couldn't you use non-skid vinyl flooring and run it up the sides of the boat to accomplish the same thing without adding the weight of fiberglass????

 

[ondarvr]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

Vinyl tends to fail rather quickly under hard use, any nicks or cuts allow water directly into the plywood and it has no way to escape.



"I am assuming that you did not carpet.."

I don't put carpet on anything.

 

[Teamster]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

Vinyl tends to fail rather quickly under hard use, any nicks or cuts allow water directly into the plywood and it has no way to escape.



"I am assuming that you did not carpet.."

I don't put carpet on anything.

My boat gets a great deal of hard use and I know of many others that are used and abused that also have the vinyl floor and as far as can tell none have failed yet,......

That being said if I ever redo another boat I will more than likely go with carpet as the vinyl gets kind of slippery in the late fall and winter when fishing in a snow storm,........other than that I like the vinyl,.....

 

[altsciguy]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

I am done with carpet. It holds water, is a pain to clean and I do not like the "feel" like plastic on styrofoam or nails on a blackboard. Now I do plan on putting some non-skid cover over the glass. Again, I do not know what or even what my options are, but I want to be able to hose out the boat, seal water above the deck and drain towards the rear and bilge. the idea of the vinyl up the sides with a seal at the corner could work also. I have never glassed before either so... if there are other options out there then I would like hearing all ideas. I know the goal I want. I do not know exactly how to get there or the best way to do it. All I do know is I do not want thin plywood, unprotected with holds to the foam and a layer of carpet over it all to hide construction and hold water keeping the wood moist. Thanks for all the ideas so far.

 

[Teamster]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

My only fear with the fiberglass over plywood is weight,....It will be very very heavy,.

Excess weight in a boat is the enemy,..........

Unless it's a full live well!!!!!,..............

 

[ezmobee]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

I have some thoughts on this build. First off, Spectrums are not the best built aluminum boats. So if there was concern about flexing occurring and breaking a fiberglass bond, it'll definitely happen on this boat. Your foam will not dry out. If you do not remove it, it will rot your new deck, corrode your aluminum, and add hundreds of pounds of weight to your boat. It's gotta come out. Now that being said, I think it's a nice looking boat with a nice layout. It's similar to (mine) Starcraft SS and can be restored in the same fashion as any of the great Starcraft or Sea Nymph restores that can be seen on this site. I don't think your deck needs to be, or should be, sealed to the hull sides. Replace your foam with noodles, foam board, or other non-water-absorbing foam arranged in a breathable fashion (on top of the ribs) and water getting below deck will be of no concern.

 

[altsciguy]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

Thanks again. I do want the "bathtub" like interior for a few reasons including clean out. I used/plan to use again, this boat for fishing. The scales, slime, bait, beer, blood etc. I was scrubbing carpet, vacuming carpet, hooks caught in carpet. I not only want to seal the boat for GP but for easy clean out. I want to be able to wash it out with a hose and flush it all out the back. So I do not only want to protect the deck/foam, but I do not want to be washing mess down under the deck to sit dry and stink. Maybe glass is not the best option. I will take care of foam then lay the deck on and then seal the whole thing "bathtub" style. The sealing I assumed glass would be best. Is glass a good application for this? if so what kind how much etc.? second if not glass then what? I was thinking thin layer of sealing glass covered with non-slip coating of some type. What is a good sealing non-slip coating to go over the glass or instead of glass? This is my first time so.... Anyway, I am cleaning the garage to make a home for the project. I will get it in and clean out some more then to prepping. Thanks again for all the advice. (I am leary of pitfalls and buried mistakes)

 

[ondarvr]

Re: fiberglass on aluminum

If you want to go with a bath tub effect (I did) and want to keep it light, use epoxy and a layer of 10 0z cloth, double it where it goes up the hull side. If it comes loose at some time in the future use 5200 or a similar product to glue it back together.