jon boat deck build - aluminum supports question

[mheichelbech]

So I am doing research on building a deck for this 12 foot jon boat I got.  It seems the best way to go is to use aluminum to build the support structure.  Where are guys getting the material and how are they making the trusses?  Are they typically having a sheet metal shop make these for them or can you buy and cut to desired dimensions?

[Catt]

1 hour ago, mheichelbech said:

So I am doing research on building a deck for this 12 foot jon boat I got.  It seems the best way to go is to use aluminum to build the support structure.  Where are guys getting the material and how are they making the trusses?  Are they typically having a sheet metal shop make these for them or can you buy and cut to desired dimensions?

 

Lowe's, Home Depot, Tractor Supply & other have a variety of extruded shapes for bracing. Trusses depend on distance being spanded & decking material.

[Gator_Bait]

You Tube is your friend! Search "Jon Boat To Bass Boat" and there are a ton of videos. There's sure to be one with answers, or at least a bunch of ideas.

[mcipinkie]

Aluminum is nice, light, hard to work with, and expensive.

 

I framed my 2000 Lowe 1648 with wood when i bought it.

 

I had to replace the deck, because I drilled too many holes in it, didn't seal them well and let it rot.  That's how you learn, I guess.  The framing was in good shape.  I had painted it and the deck.

 

I replaced the deck in 2018.  Encapsulated everything in glass resin.  Drilled no holes that were not necessary.  Sealed the heck out of them.  Expect it to last as long as me.  I'm 74.

 

 

Edited May 19, 2020 by mcipinkie
Add'l info.

[mheichelbech]

5 hours ago, Gator_Bait said:

You Tube is your friend! Search "Jon Boat To Bass Boat" and there are a ton of videos. There's sure to be one with answers, or at least a bunch of ideas.

You are season with that.  I’m probably in the minority but I don’t like you tube videos.  I don’t have the patience for it most of the time.  I much prefer reading.  I have watched a few and they are helpful.

22 minutes ago, mcipinkie said:

Aluminum is nice, light, hard to work with, and expensive.

 

I framed my 2000 Lowe 1648 with wood when i bought it.

 

I had to replace the deck, because I drilled too many holes in it, didn't seal them well and let it rot.  That's how you learn, I guess.  The framing was in good shape.  I had painted it and the deck.

 

I replaced the deck in 2018.  Encapsulated everything in glass resin.  Drilled no holes that were not necessary.  Sealed the heck out of them.  Expect it to last as long as me.  I'm 74.

 

 

So did you wrap it in the fiberglass mesh product and paint resin over it?  Or just use a resin product and paint it on?  If so, what kind?

[Catt]

53 minutes ago, mcipinkie said:

Aluminum is nice, light, hard to work with, and expensive.

 

I framed my 2000 Lowe 1648 with wood when i bought it.

 

I had to replace the deck, because I drilled too many holes in it, didn't seal them well and let it rot.  That's how you learn, I guess.  The framing was in good shape.  I had painted it and the deck.

 

I replaced the deck in 2018.  Encapsulated everything in glass resin.  Drilled no holes that were not necessary.  Sealed the heck out of them.  Expect it to last as long as me.  I'm 74.

 

 

 

If you can work with wood you work with aluminum, measuring is the same, cutting is easy, & you don't have to encapsulate everything in glass resin.

 

Personally I like everything welded cause you do it once & your done. 

 

Now with that said we have aluminum fabrication shops everywhere round here that specialize in aluminum boats. 

[schplurg]

Check the grade of aluminum at Home Depot etc. I saw a few bass conversion videos where guys said that their stuff isn't made for support like other "grades" of aluminum.

 

I'm no expert, I just thought I'd mention it.

[MN Fisher]

13 minutes ago, schplurg said:

Check the grade of aluminum at Home Depot etc.

Home Depot usually sells 6063 alloy aluminum. For building some kind of support structure, you want 6061 alloy.

 

Check around - there might be a metal seller near you that carries what you need.

[Catt]

7 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Home Depot usually sells 6063 alloy aluminum. For building some kind of support structure, you want 6061 alloy.

 

Check around - there might be a metal seller near you that carries what you need.

 

Absolutely makes not difference at all, you could use 2024, 6061, or 7075. 

 

15 yrs in the Aerospace industry building aircraft parts. 

[MN Fisher]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Absolutely makes not difference at all, you could use 2024, 6061, or 7075. 

 

15 yrs in the Aerospace industry building aircraft parts. 

I suggested 6061 as it's more available - at least here - to general customers. My local supplier only carries 6063 and 6061...doesn't even have 2024 or 7075 - which yes are even stronger.

[Catt]

For applications that require higher strength, 6061 is typically used. 6063 is primarily used for applications that are exposed because it suffers weather better than 6061, making it more corrosion resistant.

 

When talking "L" or "T" extrusions the difference in 6061 vs 6063 is not that huge.

[mheichelbech]

I’d like to attach a pic of the boat but I can’t get the file size small enough.

 

Anyhow, other than the deck, I want to attach a seat in the back to the aluminum bench that goes across.  Is it okay to attach directly to the bench or should I have a piece of wood in between the seat base?

[mheichelbech]

[flyfisher]

even though i kayak i like these discussions as it helps my knowledge base should i ever go that route in the future.  Have you considered the change of the center of gravity if you build the deck up higher on that boat?  I mean my kayak is 14' and not as wide as your jon boat but standing up higher makes a difference in stability for sure.

 

[mheichelbech]

5 hours ago, flyfisher said:

even though i kayak i like these discussions as it helps my knowledge base should i ever go that route in the future.  Have you considered the change of the center of gravity if you build the deck up higher on that boat?  I mean my kayak is 14' and not as wide as your jon boat but standing up higher makes a difference in stability for sure.

 

The current distance from the bench to the top is about 6 inches.  I’m think with the deck, it will be 5 inches.  I had thought about putting some 2x4s on the middle bench and front bench to raise it but then that would be a lot more work for the platform build.

 

Are you saying with the deck higher it will make the boat more stable?

[Shimano_1]

I'm a welder and have access to aluminum materials...but still would most likely use wood. Its just a hassle to have to weld or bolt everything together and cutting, grinding aluminum is no fun. I would do like the post above and make sure I sealed the wood well and it will last many many years.

[redmexican5081]

19 hours ago, mheichelbech said:

The current distance from the bench to the top is about 6 inches.  I’m think with the deck, it will be 5 inches.  I had thought about putting some 2x4s on the middle bench and front bench to raise it but then that would be a lot more work for the platform build.

 

Are you saying with the deck higher it will make the boat more stable?

Any weight that raises the center of gravity will make the boat less stable.  If you add a deck and stand on it, you are raising the center of gravity by a lot.  Sometimes this isn't too big of an issue but others it can make the boat almost unusable.  As a quick test, launch the boat and stand on all of the bench seats (one at a time) and move around side to side to see how your boat reacts. If you put a deck on it, chances are you will be even higher than that making the boat that much more tippy.