First off let me start by saying I am new here but have been lurking for a week and have found great info. I acquired a 1970 Starcraft mariner bare hull about 2 years ago and a few months after that did a quick resto. It wasn't exactly what I wanted at the time but getting it in working useable order was more important at the time. I replaced the transom added a deck and did some other little thing like bench seats and what not. I didn't put a whole lot of research into what I was doing at the time so now I'm looking to change it up and do it properly. I previously used 3/4 plywood with a single stringer down the center as a deck before but I'm looking to redo it with aluminum in order to lighten it up and make it a "forever" boat with no wood to delaminate or rot. I also want to make an anchor locker/ platform in the front and split bench seats in the rear as the boat is set up for a tiller motor. My biggest question is what is the best way to rig up stringers and what thickness aluminum sheet or diamond plate should I be using to get the most support without excessive weight. I have seen many flat bottom Jon boats on here but laying a sheet of aluminum across the flat supports is a little different than dealing with a v hull. Any help would be greatly appreciated and yes I have used the search feature and seem to only find many flat bottoms.
