does anyone know of a good source for aluminum. i have to make a new sunpad/ engine hatch. the one there now was built by a previous owner from plywood and heavy pressure treated wood for the frame. the thing weighs a ton. i am hoping to frame it out with aluminum to save some weight.

thanks in advance.

going to have a tuff time attaching the padding to it if it's a padded

The reason it is so heavy is because it is water logged . If you make the new one from wood seal it with resin to keep the water out . It will be real hard to put stapples in the aluminum .

Use Starboard

Ditto on the use of starboard, way lighter then plywood and never rot.

Just spoke with my alum. welder buddy last week. He's a artisan and agreed to build me one from alum. My current pad is a ton and very old style (80's). I'm going to build him a light duty wooden one to bring to his shop as a template to get the curves and angles that match my Velocity.

Was considering some starboard 'backers' in a few strategic locations to staple on the padding/upholstery?

I'm also putting scoops on it. Ideas welcome. I'm a slow mover but will be happy to share anything I get as I go....

Here is a link to my current hatch:

http://sites.google.com/site/mitchel...=315&width=420

Thinking of something like this:

http://sites.google.com/site/mitchel...attredirects=0

i just want to frame it in aluminum. i will use plywood for the top. its not water logged, its overbuilt.

I am wanting to do the same. Is starboard strong enough to span a 7 1/2 foot opening without sagging?

I had one made with mrv8outboard , back in 95 or 96 we used balsa decolite1'' cut a pro stock scoop in it. on the underneath we put a 2'' or 3'' brace across and done the side for the piston to bolt to. it sweight was like 30lbs instead of 200lbs. I need to mod it now its got to be 5'' longer so I will buy a nother piece or the starboard style and raise might like a cig would be from the old days. we built it for under a grand. it went on my 24ol

the decolite was strong but we added a small piece across stand it up like a i beam glassed it in. I use to walk all over that think hoped on it from docks to.