What to coat new aluminum deck with?

[sutor623]

Hey guys,
I had to do some hull work and wanted to change the layout of my outboard jet boat. I put all new aluminum floors down and would like to know what you guys suggest for a covering.

It would be awesome to leave it bare aluminum, but its too bright and will get super hot in the summer time!! Also oxidation etc. P.S. I really hate carpet on my fishing boat floors.

I was thinking something like a rhino liner, or maybe even a nautilex marine vinyl??

 

[Scott Danforth]

rhino liner or line-x

 

[Scott Danforth]

get white or light grey

 

[charleso]

I have vinyl in my aluminum boat. Love it! One precaution about the bed liner, check for the finished texture first. Some can be on the rough side. Nice boat, BTW.

 

[sutor623]

Thanks guys!!

Charleso I appreciate the compliment. Its a nice boat, it will run in 5-6" of water.

 

[RiverSpey]

Have you looked at Hydroturf? I had it on my aluminum duck boat and really liked it. The B grade stuff is not noticeably different and much cheaper.

 

[ondarvr]

Had you used diamond plate you would done, it works very well, the reflection goes away rather quickly and it doesn't really get that warm in the sun.

Vinyl doesn't hold up well on aluminum.

Go with a durable spray-on coating with some texture.

 

[sutor623]

She's coming along well!

I scuffed, etched, primed, and painted the floors with a rubberized, textured coating that should help seal the deck, as well as give some good grip when wet. The product is a bed liner called Herculiner. Seems as it is a great product when prepped properly. It came out very well IMO and I think it looks great! Cured nice and strong. Plus I HATE carpet on my fishing boats........

 

[hvymtl939]

Looks great! Should offer great traction and easy clean up!

 

[sutor623]

Looks great! Should offer great traction and easy clean up!

Thanks man!! It feels good when wet, as long as you have decent shoes/boots on. I'm sure it will get a little hot in the sun, but I don't fish barefoot anyways

In case anyone was interested, here is how she turned out with the console mounted:

 

[hvymtl939]

Thanks man!! It feels good when wet, as long as you have decent shoes/boots on. I'm sure it will get a little hot in the sun, but I don't fish barefoot anyways

In case anyone was interested, here is how she turned out with the console mounted:

Looks great! How do you like the jet motor?

 

[sutor623]

Looks great! How do you like the jet motor?

I love it!! That boat can run in 4-6" of water. But it has it's place, like all other boats. I have had a 20' fiberglass boat for a few years now, that I use to fish big waters and cruise with family and friends. If I had one boat it would NOT be a jet, unless the only water I ran was shallow, protected waters.

A heavy chop, and she will cavitate like crazy. Flat boat will beat the tar out of you. Load up with tons of gear for a big fishing trip and you lose shallow water capabilities and she becomes a sea slug. Setup is critical, and finnicky. It takes a long time to get her set just right. But once you do, it will unlock waters you wouldnt dream to run in in a prop boat.

 

[hvymtl939]

I love it!! That boat can run in 4-6" of water. But it has it's place, like all other boats. I have had a 20' fiberglass boat for a few years now, that I use to fish big waters and cruise with family and friends. If I had one boat it would NOT be a jet, unless the only water I ran was shallow, protected waters.

A heavy chop, and she will cavitate like crazy. Flat boat will beat the tar out of you. Load up with tons of gear for a big fishing trip and you lose shallow water capabilities and she becomes a sea slug. Setup is critical, and finnicky. It takes a long time to get her set just right. But once you do, it will unlock waters you wouldnt dream to run in in a prop boat.

I would never use one anywhere near close to it's capability to justify owning, but they sure are cool. Maybe if I do more river fishing, I can talk the admiral into one someday.

 

[sutor623]

I hear ya there. I love this boat, especially in the middle of the summer when all the nut cases are out all over the lake. I can run in the skinnies and stay away from most of em.............