Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

In the past I have looked at different ways to re deck the toon as that time is coming soon. I have never really found what I thought was a good solution to the issue. I have tried to find something lighter than 3/4 plywood.

Well yesterday a kid with a re-built toon from two old ones made into the "new" one. He has a outboard repair business in Manch-Vagas (N.H.).
He used 12 inch wide aluminum seating used on grand stands!!!!!!
I could not believe it. How simple!

He used rounded top screws to fasten to the cross-members. He said you had to be careful putting them in not to booger the threads. Which he then filed down so they were smooth.
Where a screw went, he had some device that took down the groves in the metal. Again he used the right tool and it was a perfect fit.
He also said you can get them in any length, if I understood him right. He had NO butting ends. All one piece end to end. And they fit up tight. You will need to have a skinned bottom or water will be forced up and through.

The metal channel/grove style I did not like. I would use the smooth lined ones. I do not know what the weight is compared to 3/4 plywood for the same area.
On the way home I was thinking it would get hot in the sun?
I have a 10 foot Bimini top, so I only need to cover walking areas in the front 12 feet which is open.
Then I thought the thinnest possible outdoor carpet (the green ones) loose. This way as it gets nasty, just toss it out. No attachment to the metal just loose

Hopefully this gives you a further option at re-decking time.

Have you thought about having it sprayed with a liner like is sprayed in truck beds. I have sprayed a number of boats, floors, sides. All you need to do is make sure you use a known company and they prep the surface correctly for spraying aluminum. Will never wear off will not slip and if a good product will not fade from the sun.

For awhile, aluminum flooring was a trend in pontoons. Aluminum will never rot like wood, but such flooring doesn't really have the structural integrity of 3/4 inch marine plywood.

Most pontoon manufacturers previously using aluminum have gone back to plywood because of (1) lower cost and (2) plywood is more rigid and doesn't flex as much when in larger waves.

Marine Plywood if kept out of the weather will last over 30 years. I'll stick to it.

I love the Aluminum floor on my Tracker

I bought my SunTracker because of the aluminum deck. The only people that complain about aluminum decks are people who haven't had one.

Glenn