Materials for Platform Supports?

[minuteman62-64]

As part of the renovation work on my 1982 Bayrunner, I will be adding a platform in the bow - between the bow and the front bench seat, with storage under.

The original construction of the Bayrunner has the plywood components mounted to the aluminum hull with aluminum "L" brackets formed from 16 gauge aluminum. I plan to follow the original constuction by mounting my platform on "L" brackets, pop rivited (closed end pop rivits) to the aluminum hull in the bow section.

My questions are:

1. For 16 guage aluminum "L" brackets, do I need to use a marine grade aluminum? Or will any 16 guage aluminum sheet material suffice? I don't know if the existing interior aluminum fixtures are marine grade or not.

2. Are pop rivits available in a marine grade aluminum? Or, is that not an issue?

3. Should I use stainless steel (or other material - monel??) pop rivits as an alternative. Because of the size and configuration of the platform, structural strength will not be a huge issue.

Any and all input appreciated.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Materials for Platform Supports?

I have not personally ever heard of marine grade aluminum. I think you'd be fine with whatever aluminum you find. I have used a lot of flat stock and angle from Lowes on my project. Any pop rivets will work though you may want to consider using ones with an aluminum or stainless mandrel because the little bit left of a steel one will rust and look ugly on a boat.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Materials for Platform Supports?

I should have added that the use of my boat will be strictly salt water.