What is best for a raised deck in a 14 ft fishing boat?

[explorerjim]

Looking for the best flooring material for a raised floor in aluminum boat.

 

[airshot]

Best, easiest, or cheapest, all can be best at their own..
Diamond plate aluminum might be the coolest if you had the tools to shape it. Plywood would be the easiest to shape and work with. Depending on what scrap you have laying around you could make something, that would be the cheapest. What are you working with ??

 

[explorerjim]

Dimond plate would be to reflective sun back in your face. Unless its painted . I'm not trying to spend alot of money . But I want it to be sturdy and last . Maybe marine plywood ? Is there something like corrugated plastic ? Light weight and strong ?

 

[airshot]

That is why I ask, what are your interests, budget, ability, etc. Glad to make suggestions once we know what we are working with...

 

[RMClark]

Dimond plate would be to reflective sun back in your face. Unless its painted . I'm not trying to spend alot of money . But I want it to be sturdy and last . Maybe marine plywood ? Is there something like corrugated plastic ? Light weight and strong ?

Well, if cost is an issue, as it is with many of us, then plywood is probably your best bet. I'll also add that in my opinion, marine ply is not the best way to spend money on plywood for decks. There likely is a plastic alternative, but I don't know what it is.

My local big box price for a 4X8 sheet of 5/8" sanded BCX is $36 while 5/8" marine ply is $102/sheet.

Marine ply uses a better grade of exterior rated adhesives between the veneers and is supposed to be free of voids in the veneer layers.

However, using marine plywood won't eliminate the need to treat it to prevent water absorption.

I used 5/8" exterior grade sanded ply (BCX) for the deck on my 14' Lund. After shaping and dry-fitting, I coated all surfaces/edges with fiberglass resin, paying particular attention to the edges. I covered the upper surface with cheap indoor/outdoor carpet found at the home improvement big box. It is glued down with exterior rated carpet adhesive.

How is your boat stored? Mine is stored inside year-round, out of the weather. I will admit that dry storage out of the sun and rain makes all the difference in the world when it comes to longevity of the deck.

 

[explorerjim]

Well, if cost is an issue, as it is with many of us, then plywood is probably your best bet. I'll also add that in my opinion, marine ply is not the best way to spend money on plywood for decks. There likely is a plastic alternative, but I don't know what it is.

My local big box price for a 4X8 sheet of 5/8" sanded BCX is $36 while 5/8" marine ply is $102/sheet.

Marine ply uses a better grade of exterior rated adhesives between the veneers and is supposed to be free of voids in the veneer layers.

However, using marine plywood won't eliminate the need to treat it to prevent water absorption.

I used 5/8" exterior grade sanded ply (BCX) for the deck on my 14' Lund. After shaping and dry-fitting, I coated all surfaces/edges with fiberglass resin, paying particular attention to the edges. I covered the upper surface with cheap indoor/outdoor carpet found at the home improvement big box. It is glued down with exterior rated carpet adhesive.

How is your boat stored? Mine is stored inside year-round, out of the weather. I will admit that dry storage out of the sun and rain makes all the difference in the world when it comes to longevity of the deck.

Thank you for your input . Its going to take some time getting this boat ship shape. I'm probably getting ahead of myself. Thanks again

 

[airshot]

Thank you for your input . Its going to take some time getting this boat ship shape. I'm probably getting ahead of myself. Thanks again

Fun stuff always takes time...keep us posted with pics!!

 

[explorerjim]

If I get the registration sorted out. Then I will get into decking and interior . Thanks for any input

 

[Bondo]

If I get the registration sorted out. Then I will get into decking and interior . Thanks for any input

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... Before you go spendin' any money on it,.....
Take it out, 'n try standing on the seats,.....
With a raised deck, it's gonna be pretty tippy,....

 

[JimS123]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... Before you go spendin' any money on it,.....
Take it out, 'n try standing on the seats,.....
With a raised deck, it's gonna be pretty tippy,....

I've owned 14 footers and I would never consider fishing unless I was standing on the bottom.

 

[explorerjim]

I've owned 14 footers and I would never consider fishing unless I was standing on the

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... Before you go spendin' any money on it,.....
Take it out, 'n try standing on the seats,.....
With a raised deck, it's gonna be pretty tippy,....

Very good idea. I never thought about that. Thank you . I replaced the wood in the transom for now. Thats all I'm doing until I get it registered. Then take it out and run it some. Then see about puting money into interior and bigger motor. That's for your suggestion .