.060 Underskin

[Soonertoon]

Hi All;

Looking for some experience based feedback on the use of .060 alum for under-skinning. I have a source that has plenty of overage and can make me a screaming deal ( no charge) on the amount I need sheared to size. Has anyone used it and either regretted it or happy w it?. I really don't want to have to cough up what .072 or .080 would cost provided this is adequate. My cross member are on 16" centers, by the way .

Thanks

[Strake]

I believe .060 should be just fine, especially if you can rivet it to all the cross members, which are likely on 16" to 20" centers. It's just acting as a shield, not as a structural member. .060" is stiffer than you think, when it comes to forming it into place without a brake

I'm guessing you are talking about 5052 - H32 ???? Just make sure it's not 6061-T6 or you won't be able to bend it. Other end of the spectrum is 1100-0 which is dead soft, so hope it's not that either.

If you were asking about .040" that might be a different story......

Our boat came with factory under skinning so I don't have personal experience using it under the boat, but I'm very familiar with using Alum in precision Sheet metal fabrication, forming, etc.

Richard

[Bamaman]

Go for it. If he has a brake, have him make it a little wider than you need and give you a 90 degree bend on the sides to go down the toon skirts.

When I got my new boat, I was surprised how quiet and smooth it is with underskinning.

[TDJ2591]

It seems that most of us on this forum used and recommend 5052 .063 aluminum. It is plenty stiff enough and manageable. I was unable to bend it with a 10' manual brake.

[Soonertoon]

I can get either 5052 or 6061. I may have to trim in the field so to speak . Which one will be the easiest to shear?

[Strake]

Shearing isn't the big concern.... FORMING is..... If you have the choice, get 5052-H32 ....... the "H32" is considered "half hard".

Depending on which 6061 alloy you get, it may, or may not be easy to form. If it's 6061-0 then that would be OK. If it's 6061-T6 you will NOT be able to bend it. Another difficult to form would be 6061-T4.

The softest, least stiff alloy would be 1100-0 which is dead soft.

Street signs typically are 6061-T4, or T6 as they don't want them bending.

[TDJ2591]

You might want to see if the metal dealer will cut it for you. Faster and a lot less work for you. If you plan on making any bends, take it to a shop with proper equipment.