Polycarbonate for Under Skinning Material?

[davalt75]

I know aluminum is the most common and probably the best material for under skinning. But I was in Home Depot earlier today and noticed some polycarbonate roof panels. I started wondering whether or not this stuff might hold up for underskinning material. It is basically .032 thick plastic. It is very lightweight and flexible, inexpensive, and seems to be durable. It is also clear and I like the idea of being able to see through it underneath the boat. The only thing I don't like is that it is corrugated, but I don't think that should really make any difference except for how it looks, but no one is going to see it anyway. Has anyone used this stuff or have any opinion on it?

[Steiner]

I was going to try this stuff on my pointoon but sold it before I had a chance and got a tritoon that was underskinned.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-16-in-x-4 ... /202090190

I think the main thing would be to oversize the holes in it and use a rubber washer on each side so it could "float" a little and not crack at the holes. The deck is going to flex some.

[davalt75]

I was going to try this stuff on my pointoon but sold it before I had a chance and got a tritoon that was underskinned.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-16-in-x-4 ... /202090190

I think the main thing would be to oversize the holes in it and use a rubber washer on each side so it could "float" a little and not crack at the holes. The deck is going to flex some.

I decided to bite the bullet and give it a shot. I just got finished installing it. I hadn't considered using an extra washer between the material and the crossmembers until I read your comment and I was already finished. I did, however, use the stainless steel screws with the washers on them. It will be the end of next week before I get a chance to put the boat in the water and try it out, but I'm optimistic that it will work. It looks thinner in the pictures than it is. I think it is flexible enough to flex with the deck, but still strong enough to take the pounding it will get from the water. Time will tell. I left the front 5 ft. of the deck uncovered, and I left the space above the toons open. I just covered the area in between the toons because I figure that's where the majority of the force of the water will be. Some water will make it's way into that space above the toons but the cross members that take the brunt of the water are covered. Between the material and the screws I have about $130 invested in it, along with a lot of wear and tear on my 50 year old knees.

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[jediger]

I look forward to hearing how that works out for you.

[davalt75]

I look forward to hearing how that works out for you.

I'll try to get the boat in the water next weekend, time and weather permitting. I'll update when I do.

[davalt75]

So, I took the boat out today and the polycarbonate worked great. We rode a total of 43 miles at an average speed of 28-30 mph and it held up like a champ. Time will tell how it holds up in the long run, but judging by today, I think it will work out just fine. I can definitely tell a difference in how smooth it rides, and it also seems a lot quieter. There is a noticeable improvement in fuel economy. I recently added lifting strakes also, and this was the first long run I've made with them. So, I can't say how much of the improvement was from those or from the under skinning. It's a combination of both, I'm sure. But at the distance and speed mentioned above, we only used a half a tank of gas. I don't really know how many mpg I was getting before (or now for that matter) to compare, but I can definitely tell a difference.

[curtiscapk]

That's fantastic! I may steal that idea!