Skinning Question - Area between the deck and pontoon

[crookedlaker]

here is the photos of the under sheeting
sorry about the crappy photos but was raining and 31 degrees here
I did find a couple of places that I drilled for screws and forgot to add then
the self tappers worked good for the sheeting but would not go thru the angle, sheeting and channel
did not pick up much speed but is much smoother especially if loaded

good luck

Mike

[DSwatloski]

Where are those pictures Crookedlaker?

Dave

[DSwatloski]

Too funny crookedlaker, you must have posted those just before I put up my reminder.

Looks great. I am still getting quotes on the material, looks like I will use three sheets of 5' X 10' X .063" of 5052. I got self tapping screws and broke out my tap and dye kit as you suggest for the rear. I think I'm going to drop the 4-1/5 inches down the side of the pontoon bracket since I have the available material. It will cost me the third sheet, but it's a hobby.

What material was your sheeting? 5052 or another spec?

Did you butt up to the side of the transom box? I see how you notched the sheet in the front of the transom box. It looks good.

Dave

[crookedlaker]

Yes it was 5052 and i think it was .050 thick, i know it wasn't .062 it was the next size smaller
I just butted it into the side of the transom. The cross members are closer there
I ran a couple of self tappers at the front of the transom (in each corner) up into the metal sheeting to hold the very front secure
I used the angle because i saw a couple of new boats at the dealer and that is how Harris did it
also i did not want to have to bring it to someone with a brake
if I did it again i would use 2 or 3" angle on the sides
I also did not run all the way to the front
i ran about 16' on a 20' boat


post photos when done
weatherman say in mid 60's and sunny next weekend, hope to splash it then

Mike

[DSwatloski]

Thanks Mike.

I will do the same on the front of the transom. Tapping two to four on that thick horizontal piece on the forward side portions of the transom. Putting some holding power up there makes sense.

I will post up when done. I plan on a few in process as one approach to doing the underskinning for others to see and use as they see fit.

I hope the weather holds for you. I may find some stock aluminum angle pieces like you used and call it a day. It will save me a sheet of 5052 which is probably a lot more than the stock angle pieces.

Dave

[DSwatloski]

Mike,

Crookedlaker... What hole is your motor mounted on? I'm on the top hole all the way at the top as low as it can go.

Dave

[DSwatloski]

Last post on this thread for me. I'm moving back to the one titled, Project: Underskinning and other Mods, it has all the other things that I'm doing to my boat there. Finished pictures are on that thread.

I picked up the 5052 .063" Aluminum today. I had two 5'X10' sheets sheered to fit the distance between the X members. Most of the boat X members were on 16" centers, 2" wide. I have two 50"x60" panels, one 66"X60" panel then two panels 30"X43-3/8" that I will cut to fit around the transom. I have two 20' lengths for 2"X2"X1/8" Angle Irons (aluminum) to run down the sides along the pontoon brackets. 200 - No.10 X 3/4" Stainless Steel self-tapping screws and 200 Neoprene backed Stainless Steel Washer, and a large container of Permatex Blue. My tap and dye set has been located for the last X member, taps around the front of the transom and perhaps the angle irons. I may drill the angle irons and use the tapping as I mount these to the pontoon brackets. This will cover about 17' 3" from the stern forward. It leaves about 4' at the bow open. No sheeting is need there anyway.

Well the underskin is done. Turned out pretty good. 17' covered. Smacked my head a bunch under there. Sore from the body position working the material. One of my Sons-in-Law helped me with the 66" sheet. The rest I put in using some 2"X3" T's that I used as jacks to hold the edges up. What works very well in holding the sheets up in place is duct tape. C-Clamps are good for the angle Iron. (Don't mind the grung on the pontoons... my Marina, left the boat in the water for a while after I asked them to pull it and store it for the Winter. Powerwash is up next.)

Need some advice on how to post picture too. Mine are huge...

[crookedlaker]

My motor is also low as it can go
when i first got the boat it was one hole higher and i was only running about 21 mph at 6200 RPM
when they lowered it i picked up about 5 mph and the rpm lowered to about 5700 rpm
I am running a 13.4 x 15 four blade prop

mike

[wahoomon]

Thinking of skinning mine.. what's the recommended thickness? I have seen some .050 .062 to .080
Thanks

[TDJ2591]

Thinking of skinning mine.. what's the recommended thickness? I have seen some .050 .062 to .080
Thanks

I used .063" 5052 aluminum. It seemed idea land just stiff enough once mounted.

[DSwatloski]

^ yes

[wahoomon]

pontoon skin 1.jpg (1.58 MiB) Viewed 3780 times

completed