V-hull Aluminum Boat Floor: Installation And More

V-hull aluminum boats are the most common boats for fishing and hunting, especially when sailing through rough and deep water. While they are popularly used among people, people often ask a lot about the aluminum V-hull boat flooring. The questions don’t limit to the installation process but also include cost, materials, and other queries. 

Without solving these queries, it becomes difficult for people to decide on a v-hull boat floor. In fact, you must first know well about the options and then choose. I have faced this lack of information too and I explored the market thoroughly. From that experience combined with my work in this field, I am here to solve your queries regarding the matter. 

In this article, you can expect to know A to Z about v-hull aluminum boat flooring. I will cover the installation process as well as talk about the flooring options you can choose. In the FAQ section at the end, you would find some additional information too! 

Excited? Let’s start then!

8 Easy Steps To Install Flooring In V-hull Aluminum Boat:

Installing flooring on a v-hull is a bit difficult because of the curved shape. A lot of preparation is required to install flooring on a v-hull boat. You first need to make a frame and then place the flooring you want. This is why the procedure of installing flooring on a v-hull needs a longer time than installing flooring on a flat boat. 

However, to install flooring on the v-hull aluminum boat, you need to have enough time, skill, and equipment. To make the process simple, I am here with a step-by-step guide. Follow these steps and install a boat flooring on the v-hull with ease and convenience:

Step 1: Make A Straight Edge

A straight edge is needed to measure and create a frame for the flooring to stand on. To make the straight edge that would go from one side to the other side of the floor, you need a plywood board. 

Slice a ⅛ inch thick plywood board into sheets that are 4 inches wide. Then trim this slice by cutting away the factory edge. Now, it will sit both on the horizontal and vertical positions of the boat. This makes the straight edge and now you can use it for marking. 

Step 2: Mark The Height Of The Frame

Next, you have to mark the height where you would position the deck beams. To decide this position, assume the height of the boat flooring. The frame would be 1 1.5 inches below the boat flooring. So the marking would be done across this height. 

On one end of the boat, mark this height. Mark the same height to the other end of the boat. Now with the help of the straight edge, join these two dots on the ends across the entire body of the hull. Once marked, note that this is the height where you would place the cleats. 

Step 3: Determine The Cleat Position

To create the positions for the cleats, use the straight edge by placing it across the horizontal plane of the hull. Do this just at the height of the mark. With the help of a bevel square, fix a nut across the straight edge vertically. Now the angle that has been created by the bevel square, cut the cleat so that it fits this angle. The measurement of the cleat would be 1.5 less from the bevel on both sides. 

Step 4: Fix The Cleats

After every 8 inches, drill holes across the cleats. On the backside of each cleat, apply a suitable adhesive and paste them on the marked positions. Then nail the cleats along the entire hull. Wait for the adhesive to settle and the cleats to get fixed for 24 hours. 

Step 5: Mark The Deckbeam Positions

Now is the turn to decide where you would place the deck beams. For that, start from the stern and keep marking after every 16 inches till you reach the other end of the boat. So after every 16 inches, you are going to place a deck beam. 

Cut the deck beam in a dimension of 11/2 and 11/2. But make sure to measure the length of each deck beam with the straight edge because the lengths would be different. 

Step 6: Place The Deck Beams

Now that the deck beams are made, drill a hole at the ends of the beam where it would meet the cleat. Carefully, adhere and screw down each beam to the cleat. You can add extra cleats across the border of the hull to provide stronger support to the deck beams. 

Step 7: Prepare The Plywoods For Flooring

Now that the frame is ready, you can install flooring on the v-hull aluminum boat. Here, I am mentioning the way of installing plywood flooring. Similar steps are also followed to install other floorings too. 

First, measure the length and width of each section of the deck. Mark the measurement and accordingly, cut the plywood boards. To provide water protection to the plywood, make a solution of resin and acetone. Apply this mixture on both sides of each plywood plank and also on the surface of the frame. 

Let the mixture dry out completely as this will act as a waterproof layer. 

Step 8: Place The Plywoods

Now apply adhesive on the beams, across the cleats, and the inner edges of the boat. Immediately put the plywood planks on the beams as well as nail them down to the beams. Let the adhesive dry. 

Use the adhesive to add another layer across the edges of the flooring. On top of the flooring, apply another coating of resin and acetone. Let it dry as it offers extra protection from water and moisture. 

V-hull Aluminum Boat Floor: Is It The Best?

After knowing the installation procedure, you must be skeptical about whether aluminum flooring is good or not for boat flooring installation. I have some points to answer. Once you make the frame, you can install aluminum floorings. In fact, you can add a subfloor and install aluminum flooring. 

Aluminum flooring is lightweight, sleek, and stylish suitable for almost any type of v-hull boat. It is extremely durable and corrosion-resistant as well as water-resistant. Maintaining and cleaning the aluminum boat floor is super easy too. 

Aluminum boat flooring improves the stability and shape of the boat. If you have a small boat needing stability, you must consider aluminum flooring. Overall aluminum offers long-lasting service on board. Also, note that it has a high resale value. 

A few drawbacks of aluminum flooring are that it is quite expensive and creates noise while sailing. It also has the risk of denting under pressure and may scratch too. 

But since ages, v-hull aluminum boat flooring is popularly installed and it is one of the best options compared to other flooring options like vinyl, wood, or rubber.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

How To Stabilize A V-hull Aluminum Boat? 

Aluminum v-hull boats are generally stabilized. But if you need to improve the stability of the flooring a bit more, you can follow the following tactics mentioned below: 

• You can make the hull wider so that the weight is distributed on a larger area rather than a short area;
• You may attack hollow pipes on both the ends of the v-hull boat so that the balance remains uniform;
• Attaching flotation pods to the ends of the boat is another way to stabilize the flooring;
• You can put items of the deck in a way so that the weight is distributed equally 

These are some ways to stabilize a v-hull aluminum boat. 

How To Put Floor On A Semi V-hull Aluminum Boat? 

To put flooring on a semi v-hull aluminum boat, follow the steps mentioned below: 

• Lay foam boards on all the deck areas where the flooring will be installed. Foams are for insulation and support;
• Now shape the plywoods according to the area of the deck;
• Place the plywoods on the foam board and screw them down;
• Apply a fiberglass layer and attach it with resin for a strong bonding; 
• Let the resin dry out and you can then install a carpet or rubber mat too if you want;

And that is it! A super easy method to install flooring on a v-hull aluminum boat deck. 

What To Put On A V-hull Fishing Boat Floor? 

A variety of flooring options are available for boat decks. Depending on what your preferences are, you can choose flooring. But for convenience, I can suggest some flooring options for a v-hull fishing boat. 

For fishing boats, most people prefer a fishing boat carpet that can be glued down to the boat frame. Gluing and then applying a layer of epoxy resin helps to make the flooring waterproof. Apart from that, you can also choose an aluminum, plywood, or rubber mat flooring. They are also quite good for boat flooring. Vinyl and carpet are some other options.

How Do You Keep Your V-hull Aluminum Boat From Getting Hot? 

V-hull aluminum boats can get hot quickly as well as cool down fast too. But what to do to prevent overheating of the aluminum flooring? There are a few tricks to keep the v-hull aluminum boat cool. Below are the hacks: 

• Paint the v-hull boat white as it would reflect light rather than absorb heat;
• Use a rubber or fiberglass carpet on the aluminum boat for insulation;
• Installing a foam board beneath the flooring can prevent overheating; 

These are three hacks to keep the aluminum boat flooring cool. 

How Long Will A V-hull Aluminum Boat Last?

Aluminum v-hull boats are extremely durable and long-lasting. They are water-resistant, stain and scratch-resistant, as well as corrosion-resistant. This means they would survive for a long time even if the aluminum boat goes through rough conditions. In general, you can expect a v-hull aluminum boat to last between 30 to 40 years. 

Do V-hull Aluminum Boats Rust?

We have always known that aluminum boats won’t rust or corrode. But it may rust in extreme conditions. It can rust if exposed to water and saltwater for a long time. In that case, you have to take precautions to prevent v-hull boat rust. By painting the v-hull aluminum boat, you can prevent the rusting of the aluminum boat. Also, keep it clean after using the v-hull boat. 

Should You Paint Your V-hull Aluminum Boat? 

It is a good decision to paint a v-hull aluminum boat. Just like you protect the boat deck by laying flooring, you should also paint the v-hull aluminum boat body to protect it. Painting the v-hull aluminum boat protects it from heat and prevents overheating. Similarly, the risks of rusting and corrosion reduce if you paint a v-hull aluminum boat body. Therefore, you must consider painting a v-hull aluminum boat. 

Does Salt Water Damage The V-hull Aluminum Boat?

V-hull aluminum boats are fairly corrosion-resistant. But there still remains a chance of corrosion when left in saltwater. You can surely sail in saltwater with an aluminum boat. But after you come back, you should wash it with fresh water. However, aluminum boats can survive in saltwater for around 2 to 3 weeks. But if kept for long, saltwater can damage a v-hull aluminum boat. 

How Much Does It Cost To Install Or Buy A V-hull Aluminum Boat?

V-hull aluminum boats are quite expensive than the other aluminum boats. This is because v-hull boats have better stability, longevity, and they can be moved through deep water. The cost of a high-quality v-hull aluminum boat starts at $15,000 and this can go up to $35,000. Top-notch brands sell aluminum boats at $50,000 too. 

Conclusion: 

You have a variety of information about v-hull aluminum boat flooring. I believe your basic confusion has been cleared in this article. Judge the factors once again and then decide how and what to install on the v-hull aluminum boat flooring. 

Don’t be indecisive anymore!