Lightweight easy to install strong easy to clean and maintain lighter than wood rust-resistant stain-resistant and doesnt need covering.
Pontoon aluminum deck vs wood. While it depends on the grade and species aluminum is considerably more expensive than wood and 2-3 times higher than most composites. Docks are literally put on water so you are putting your wood dock on top of its weakness. Ive got a wood deck but given the choice I would want an aluminum one only because Im sure aluminum will last much longer than wood and is stronger.
The Suntracker regency line had all aluminum decks up until 2005 I believe. Many of these issues are caused because wood is more vulnerable to moisture than aluminum. And aluminum does offer peace of mind for the customer and has become a major marketing tool for those manufactures that offer it.
Pontoon boats will have whats known as pontoon logs these are essential to the design of the boat. Just like all wood decks there are a few disadvantages of using aluminum for your new deck. On a 32 vessel I would say no less than 316 for the hull maybe even step up to 14.
Many pontoons use an aluminum sub-frame covered with a marine grade plywood as the decking. In fact more often than not aluminum decking is twice as expensive as traditional wood or even composite decking. YOULL SEE ALUMINUM PLANKS IF ITS ALUMINUM.
This is a popular pontoon deck choice because of its many pros. Aluminum decking for boats and boat docks has become a popular choice in pontoon boat decking and pontoon boat manufacturing and building since aluminum is easy to maintain lightweight and strong. Swimmer not only is it a great idea to use aluminum it willalso make your boat lifetime and you will not have to do this repair againnever use marine grade plywood as most of it sold now days is made to be signboard standing straight up and down and not subject to being a floor with moisture retained underneath it also you cannot paint both sides of it if you lay it flat as it will maintain.
There are different types of pressure-treated plywood some better than others but most folks on the restoration forums stay away from it. Pontoon logs are not wooden logs theyre in fact made from aluminium. Everyone after that swapped over to composite wood to save on costs.