aluminium ( or stainless steel ) skin over fibreglass deck

[mtompson]

Hello all

I have a solid fuel stove in a GRP boat ( please no debate on that! ) and around the flue exit area I wanted to look at options to:

1. Protect the deck from heat damage ( little embers etc )
2. Obviously have extra fire protection
3. Make this area easier to clean

Many modern GRP fishing boats around us have skinned parts of their boats with metal, for them its to protect areas that get heavy abuse. I wondered if anyone has glued ( or other method ) any metal skins onto their GRP decks?

If so, what metals & what methods to attach. Are there problems with moisture, rust, expansion etc?

Anyway, thanks for any ideas & help.

[Pete7]

I ran a diving rib with a piece of checker plate at the stern for some years. It withstood foot traffic, dive cylinders and weights etc well. Held down with sealant and screws at the corners.

Some of the aluminiums are more resistant to corrosion than others. I had an A frame made in 2" ali pipe and the firm were careful to select one of the more resistant types to make it from, so worth a bit of an investigation.

Could the checker plate get hot? how about a cork tile between the checker plate and the deck?

Pete

[mtompson]

Thanks Pete, great help. It will never get that hot, just tiny embers every now & then.

[mtompson]

I found this https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/m...ss-boat.24880/

[mtompson]

Concerns about expansion here: https://forum.solar-electric.com/dis...iberglass-roof

These guys recommend a glue: https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...iberglass.html

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by mtompson

Concerns about expansion here:

In the UK?

If its cold enough outside to light a fire, then a sheet of ali isn't going to get that hot surely.

Cold fingers riding the Suzi to work this morning.

Pete

[mtompson]

true, but I want to head south eventually! (especially this time of year! )

[zstine]

Unfinished Aluminum can/will get very hot in the sun of the tropics. If you are heading south, I'd look into painting it white or ask some AL boat owners for advice as I'm no expert.

[psk125]

For many years we sailed an H-28 with a wood stove heater forward. A metal (aluminum?) ring with a gutter that could be filled with water helped dissipate the heat from the chimney and kept the wood & painted canvas cabin top from getting scorched.