Best decking for restoring a Quachita boat?

[OldFlatbottom]

I am restoring a v-bottom Quachita that is 13 feet, 8 inches. It seems to have the original white factory paint, with possible primer that is blue-green. I'm even having a company print out the original Indian stickers. Should be a fun project, this boat is in pretty good shape. Question: This boat is so light, I can pick up the bow with one hand. So, I want to use floorboards to protect the rivets, like I always have with my other boat, a 15-foot Monarch bought new in 1984. However, a V-bottom doesn't have a flat deck. What's the preferred material and method for protecting the deck of a V-bottom aluminum boat?

 

[Kochy]

Make a flat deck across making supports equivalent with the v of the boat, and then carpet it.

 

[OldFlatbottom]

I don't need the boat shiny as a P-51, but what's the preferred sanding method for taking off old, flaked paint? I don't have a sand blaster. Also looking for suggestions on inexpensive primer paints.