Replacing inflatable dinghy wooden slats with aluminium?

[jerrytug]

Hello I was just wondering if anyone had done this, or had a suggestion for a suitable material.
I have a Yamaha 2.2 inflatable which I like in general, stands up to scrapes pretty well, but the athwartships floor slats are made of some weak Jap wood, and whenever I tumble in to the boat or chuck a jerrycan in, they break and splinter horribly, and something needs doing.
I was thinking of aluminium flat bar, suitably rounded, it would be a one-off expense because you could always beat them straight again whatever happened. Any suggestions welcome cheers Jerry

 

[Kelpie]

If not marine grade, I would imagine they'd get a bit fuzzy and crusty with corrosion.

How about cutting up a wheelie bin?

 

[jerrytug]

Good idea! thanks food for thought

 

[Searush]

Plastic is a good idea, mine has plywood slats which have lasted several years, but one broke a couple of years back & another went yesterday. I was intending making new ones, but now I shall need to consider if plastic or GRP may be better - err & where to source them from for nowt! :encouragement:

Old shower tray?

 

[Rigger Mortice]

I've made slats for a friends dinghy using UPVC (the type which is used for soffit/barge boards. It's cheap, very easy to work, waterproof and reasonably presentable without the need for paint or varnish. The 6mm thick stuff is a bit more flexible than 6mm ply so it's a little more wobbly underfoot but it is far more durable than ply.

 

[cliff]

http://www.woolmer.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=171_176_231_238

38mm X 3mm could be bonded together back to back to give 1½"X¼".

 

[Searush]

http://www.woolmer.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=171_176_231_238

38mm X 3mm could be bonded together back to back to give 1½"X¼".

Not a bad idea, thanks, but mine are closer to 125mm wide, 1250 long & 6mm thick.

 

[jerrytug]

Thanks to all of you, how helpful, the UPVC type stuff looks a brilliant idea, you have to get up early to know what is available these days for building materials. Probly better than aluminium or wood at the end of the day..

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Thanks to all of you, how helpful, the UPVC type stuff looks a brilliant idea, you have to get up early to know what is available these days for building materials. Probly better than aluminium or wood at the end of the day..

I used UPVC soffit board but much thicker, appro 10 ~ 15mm thick; its great staff, easy to cut, light and naturally waterproof, it will bent, so go for the thickest and widest (~650mm) you can find