Likes: 
Thanks: 
HaHa: 
Reply With QuoteI think you will like one of the wood options better than aluminum.
Crappie Wall Hanger II
Pontoon Decking Question
So I have stripped my pontoon of everything and going to turn it into a catfishing/spoonbill boat. I have spent the last two nights reading so many reviews and getting ideas on what to use for the deck but have not made a decision yet. I want your opinions. The boat is 22' long and 8' wide. I have seen people say use marine in 3/4", 5/8" and 1/2". I have seen people use 1/8" and 1/4" aluminum sheeting, some use marine plywood, some use regular and coat with epoxy, or polyurethane or fiberglass, some use 1/4" and then put a layer of epoxy and then another sheet of 1/4" and change the direction of the grain from the last one. some say the boat is a lot lighter with aluminum, some say its not, some say aluminum gets extremely hot and some say not if you cover it with carpet or a coating like Tuff Coat. I am lost on what to do. right now I am thinking the 1/2" AB marine Plywood would be fine, but there may be things that I am missing.
I am not going to put carpet back down, I am going with a product called Tuff Coat, that has to be sprayed or rolled on and I will put atleast 3 coats down. Also, I am debating on taking console and making it a center console so i can fish on all sides of pontoon, I have measured all wires and cables and I have plenty of room. If I do this, should I center the gas tank also, or leave it on a side and put batteries on other side?
I posted in Main forum but also wanted to post here.
Crappie Wall Hanger II
I think you will like one of the wood options better than aluminum.
PROUD MEMBER OF TEAM GEEZER
Crappie Wall Hanger II
Hat55..I think your right. I am reading more and more on it, and most of the boats that use aluminum have went with carpet and I am not putting carpet back in it.
Trophy King
I would definitely go with marine plywood (expensive), if not exterior b/c. It being a pontoon and could have lots of people on it I would go with 3/4", fiberglass, and then your coating. Is the tuff coat available through Cabela's? I think that is what my friend put on and it works great, but it was over fiberglass.
Trophy King II
Definitely go with the 3/4" Marine Grade Plywood (7 layers). We used the same stuff to replace part of the decking on our boat dock. Then I put 2 coats of Restore on it to give it texture - we chose a nice blue color since that is the only thing you will see blue on Eufaula (very dirty lake).
If you have more specific questions or want more ideas, check out the Restoration section over on the Pontoon Boat and Deck Boat forum http://www.pontoonforums.com/viewforum.php?f=16
(moderator, if it's not okay to post links to other forums, please delete this link).
Steve
Crappie.com Legend
If done right the aluminum would be your best bet but will cost you more in the end. Wood is easy to work with and can be done with minimal tools. You don't have to use marine plywood. Save money and go with a 3/4" exterior grade plywood and seal it with either 2-part epoxy or Spar Urethane. You'll never know the difference.
Last edited by DrNip; 04-02-2014 at 04:45 PM.
Crappie Wall Hanger II
aserioushunter....yes, the Tuff Coat is available at Cabelas and has great reviews. whatever floor I choose, i will be using Tuff Coat to put on top.
Thanks for all the ideas so far guys. I am definitely considering each. DrNip...what all is needed to work with aluminum? I have seen several posts that state that wood is much easier to work with. I have never messed with aluminum.
Crappie.com Legend
Depends if you are going to have it welded, riveted or bolted together. I don't know what the flooring on your boat looks like or I could probably give you an educated answer. Another thing with aluminum is finding it. Can't go to your local hardware store like you can with wood. Aluminum can get to be expensive as well. True aluminum is lighter but we're talking about a pontoon boat here. Decking it with 3/4" plywood won't budge it. You have a picture of the area you are talking about?
Crappie Wall Hanger II
Moderator OK Forum
Last edited by Crappie Reaper; 04-02-2014 at 07:58 PM.
Reaper, Where Fish come to Fry
Posting Permissions
