Keeping Aluminum Boat Decks Cool: Tips And Tricks

Keeping the deck of an aluminum boat cool is important for comfort and safety. The sun's heat and radiation can cause the boat deck to become hot, especially with darker colours that absorb more heat. One solution is to use a light colour like white, which reflects more visible wavelengths of light and helps to keep the boat cooler. Additionally, using a product like Durabak, a polyurethane formula designed for boat floors and decks, can provide insulation and protection from overheating. Other products such as Raptor, a truck box liner, or Griptex, a non-skid coating, can also be applied to the deck to improve grip and durability.

Paint the deck white to reflect heat

Painting your boat deck white is a great way to keep it cool. White reflects all visible wavelengths of light, meaning it doesn't attract heat the way other colours do. This is why you can get sunburnt in the mountains, where it's cold, but not at the Dead Sea, where it's regularly over 100°F.

However, regular white paint won't do the trick. You need a super-insulator—something light, thin, and protective. For this, boat owners recommend Durabak. This product is made from a unique polyurethane formula that's ideal for boat floors and decks. It's flexible, strong, UV- and saltwater-resistant, and used by the US Navy on their nuclear aircraft carriers. It also comes in 16+ colours and in smooth and textured versions.

If you're looking for a more traditional paint, you could try Aluma Hawk aluminium paint with a non-skid additive. This paint serves as a paint and primer in one for your aluminium surface.

Another option is Interdeck boat deck paint, a non-skid deck paint that offers an excellent slip-resistant finish. It contains a fine aggregate and will apply easily to aluminium, fiberglass, or wood. Its low-sheen finish prevents dazzling from sunlight reflecting off the deck.

Cover the deck with Durabak polyurethane

Covering your aluminium boat deck with Durabak polyurethane is a great way to keep it cool. Durabak is a chemically cross-linked polyurethane coating sealer that is perfect for non-skid boat decks. It is a flexible, one-part, waterproof paint that is easy to apply and provides a professional finish.

Durabak is available in a range of colours, including light grey, cream, and white. White is a good choice for a boat deck as it reflects, rather than absorbs, heat from the sun. Durabak is also UV and saltwater resistant, so it will last for years and continue to look fresh.

The first coat of Durabak will be rough, and the second coat will be smooth, giving you a slip-resistant and easy-to-clean finish. Durabak is suitable for use on aluminium, as well as wood, metal, concrete, and fiberglass. It is trusted by the US Navy, so you can be sure of its quality and durability.

To apply Durabak, you can use a brush, paint roller, or spray gun. It is a heavy-duty, all-in-one formulation that provides ultimate protection for your boat deck. It will protect your boat from rust, wear and tear, and keep your deck slip-resistant and safe for passengers and crew.

Avoid treated plywood for the deck

Avoid Treated Plywood for Your Boat Deck

When repairing or redecking your aluminium boat, it is important to consider the type of plywood you will use for the deck. While treated plywood may seem like a good option due to its protection from fungal rot/decay, termites, and marine organisms, there are several reasons why it is not suitable for use with aluminium boats.

Firstly, treated plywood has a very high moisture content due to the pressure-treating process, which involves injecting the wood with chemicals using a water or oil-based carrier. This high moisture content can affect the adhesion of epoxy to the wood and can also lead to warping of the plywood. It is important to ensure that the wood is sufficiently dry before use, which can take weeks or even up to a year.

Secondly, the chemicals used in the treatment process can cause corrosion in aluminium boats. The copper in the treated wood can react with the aluminium, leading to galvanic corrosion. This corrosion can damage the hull and rivets of your boat. While some types of treated plywood, such as kiln-dried CCA pressure-treated plywood, are said to be safe for use with aluminium, it is always better to err on the side of caution.

Additionally, treated plywood often has a higher moisture content, which can affect the strength and stiffness of the wood. The treatment process can result in a loss of up to 20% of the wood's strength. This can compromise the overall strength and stability of your boat deck.

Finally, the use of treated plywood may not be necessary for your application. If your boat is stored inside or covered when not in use, and you take proper precautions to seal and protect the wood, untreated plywood may be a more suitable and cost-effective option.

In conclusion, while treated plywood offers some benefits in terms of protection against rot and pests, it is not the best choice for an aluminium boat deck due to the potential issues with moisture content, corrosion, strength loss, and cost. Untreated plywood, properly sealed and protected, can provide a safe and economical alternative.

Use aluminium for the deck

Aluminium is a great material to use for your boat deck. It is durable, long-lasting, and cost-effective. Here are some reasons why using aluminium for your deck can help keep it cool:

Aluminium is a good conductor of heat, which means it can quickly absorb and dissipate heat from the sun. This helps prevent the deck from getting too hot, even during the hottest parts of the day. Its ability to conduct heat efficiently makes it an ideal material for boat decks, as it can help regulate temperatures and keep the deck cooler compared to other materials.

Another advantage of aluminium is its reflectivity. Aluminium has a relatively high reflectance, especially when compared to other metals, and can reflect a significant amount of sunlight. This reflectivity helps reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the deck, as the sunlight bounces off the aluminium surface instead of being fully absorbed. This reflective property is similar to that of white paint, which is often recommended for keeping boat decks cool.

In addition, aluminium is lightweight. This is beneficial for boat decks because a lighter deck means less heat absorption. Darker, heavier materials tend to absorb more heat, making the deck hotter. By using aluminium, you can reduce the overall weight of your boat and help keep the deck cooler.

Aluminium is also low-maintenance and easy to care for. To keep your aluminium deck cool, simply ensure it is cleaned regularly to remove any dirt or debris that could trap heat. You may also want to consider applying a protective coating, such as a polyurethane formula like Durabak, which can provide insulation and further protect the deck from overheating. This type of coating is often used by the US Navy on their aircraft carriers, so you can trust its durability and effectiveness.

Finally, aluminium is a great choice for boat decks due to its strength and durability. It is resistant to corrosion and can withstand harsh weather conditions, making it a long-lasting option for your boat. Its strength also means that you can use thinner sheets, reducing weight while still maintaining the durability needed for a boat deck.

Use a non-skid coating on the deck

Non-skid coatings are a great way to keep your aluminium boat deck cool and safe. The non-skid surface provides essential grip and traction, preventing slips and falls on wet surfaces. This is especially important if you use your boat for fishing, as it can get covered in slime, blood, or bait, making it hazardous to walk on.

There are a variety of non-skid coating options available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. One popular option is a two-part polyurethane paint, which offers the most choices for colour, finish, and durability. You can add a separate aggregate to two-part paints to increase grip in slippery areas. For example, Alexseal Non-Skid Fine HD is a clear aggregate that can be added to two-part paints without changing colour as the paint wears. It is available in fine and coarse grit, allowing you to choose the size of the aggregate to match the application.

Another option is a one-part polyurethane paint, which is easier to prepare and apply, with no mixing required. An example of this is Pettit Paint EZ Deck, a one-part deck paint with aggregate that is easy to apply and fade-resistant. Simply stir the paint to distribute the aggregate and apply three to four coats with a roller.

If you're looking for a thicker, more durable surface, rubberized deck paint is a great option. These paints are often found on commercial vessels and offer excellent grip. Pettit Paint's Tuff Coat Rubberized non-skid deck paint is a one-step paint made with recycled rubber granules to maximize durability and performance. It provides shock absorption and is easy to clean.

For a softer option that is gentler on bare feet, you can consider a textured non-skid deck paint like KiwiGrip Non-Skid. This paint doesn't require mixing the aggregate with the paint, and it offers a customizable texture for more grip.

When choosing a non-skid coating, consider how often you use your boat, your budget, and the equipment you have available for application. Some coatings may require special rollers or brushes, so be sure to factor that into your decision. Additionally, keep in mind that some coatings may become more slippery when wet, so always test the surface before use and take necessary precautions.

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