[jasonsamko]

So I made a wood deck for my new boat (posted in the bowfishing boat section). Then just found out a guy just down the road welds aluminum. got me thinking about haveing him make me the same deck out of alum to save weight.

So i got online and found out the weights of wood and the weights of aluminum id use.

here it is.

wood:

3/4" plywood 68"x75"-36" for taper equals 5064" total wieght of 85 lbs.

2x4 frame total length of 477.5" rounded to 40' @ 1.21 lbs per foot total weight 48.4 lbs.

Total deck weight of 133.4 lbs for my super solid hold 4 people deck out of wood.

aluminum:

.125 diamond plate 68"x75"-36" for taper equals 68lbs

40' of 2x2x1/8 wall alum tubing @1.14 lbs per foot equals 45.6 lbs.

total aluminum version of the same deck would be 113.6

Difference in weight is 19.8 lbs.

I know i could use 1.5x1.5 alum instead but would need to run more bracing than i need for the wood so it would even out to the same as the 2x2.

I was shocked that the savings was less than 20 lbs and my deck is pretty big 5.5 feet x 6.5 feet.

I know there are alot of advantages to alum. but there are also advantages to wood too. so i tohught i would post this for people that want to use or are useing either alum or wood as it's pretty interesting.

very intersting that 2x2 alum vs 2x4 wood are almost identical. and that a 4x8 sheet of .125 alum diamond plate is only 14lbs lighter than a sheet of 3/4 plywood. and yet the alum is much flimsier and needs more support.

just food for thought if anyone is interested.

if my calculations are off or i made a mistake anywhere let me know. keep inmind i have never shot off of an aluminum deck let alone made one so my knowledge is 100% internet and math no personal.

 

[mattman]

My deck has an aluminum frame with plywood flooring. the wood is rino-lined and seems to be holding up pretty well. for some reason Im not a huge fan of wooden frames,too many bad thoughts pop into my head. But then again I bout my boat that way. would i do it that way? probably. Just for the fact if they weigh about the same I would like a frame i can trust but also not have to worrie about the floor. when the plywood gets old, just get some new. thats my thoughts at least

 

[B.A.F]

Which cost less Wood or Aluminum. Wood would but how many years can you get out of it. Aluminum last you a life time.

I would spend the money and go with Aluminum.

My 2 cents

Zollie

 

[jasonsamko]

I most definetly agree that aluminum would be best...no doubt about it.

But when i was researching how to do my deck i found millions of posts on many forums saying "go with aluminum, wood is way too heavy" or "aluminum deck is half the weight of a wood deck".

that was the main point of the post. there isnt that much weight difference.

each person is going to have thier reasons for going with whatever material they choose. I just wanted to help offer some mathmatical input to those that are trying to decide what they want to do.

 

[Tech2008]

My deck is made of aluminum and I wouldn't change a thing! Just remember if u go with aluminum even if it is diamond plate make sure u have some kind of material to get grip while standing on it. And our deck is made of 1/8 th inch aluminum and square tubing and it's fairly light

 

[mattman]

also for weight issue, I would think if you didnt seal the wood it would absorb water and make it even heavier

 

[B.A.F]

What about the expandable aluminum for the deck. It may keep down the weight.

Zollie

 

[mattman]

pain trying to get arrows that fall through. or so I heard. I believe it too. I still think for the money sealed wood is the way to go. Especially if your new to the sport, one its cost effective and two if you dont like it you can always have a camp fire and roast some smores

 

[DonArkie]

when I done my deck, weight would be a issue for me. Mine is constructed (frame) 2" thick wall aluimium angle & 1" thick wall aluimium tubing. The flooring is 3/4" top grade construction plywood topped with a rubber matting glued & trimmed in 1 1/2" alumium angle. I built the deck in halves the center were both halves meet have a neoprene gasket. I constructed the deck so if I have to work on wiring or add more electric I can just remove it by 6 machine screws and unplug it.

 

[B.A.F]

1/2" expanded metal arrow won't fall through. Here is a picture of my deck I built 6 years ago and it has expanded metal on it I used it for 2 years before I went flush deck. I didn't have any problems of arrows falling through it. 1/2'' mesh. This deck weighed 160lbs.