I have a basic aluminum 14' boat with benches, I want to install the Hatches
and Liners (see link below) so that I can store my stuff or use it as
livewell.

My question is: Can I cut 11" x 15" rectangle on the aluminum bench to fit
the storage compartment? if I cut it, will that weaken the bench or the
structure of my boat?


http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...1527ii 01.jpg


Thanks for help.

Boating Newbie

"No Spam"

My question is: Can I cut 11" x 15" rectangle on the aluminum bench to fit
the storage compartment? if I cut it, will that weaken the bench or the
structure of my boat?

I have a 220' battlebot with an aluminum frame that has sustained enormous
amounts of impact, weight and stress and the whole frame weighs about 10
lbs. Aluminum plate is weak stuff but it's easy to reinforce.

Go to Metal Supermarket or some other store and get a stick of 3/4" square
Al tubing with 1/8" wall if you want to significantly reinforce the bench
without adding any weight. Just bolt a couple of sticks underneath the
bench with 1/4-20 stainless machine bolts and it's done.

It'll cost under $10, weighs about a pound, and you can cut it and drill it
about as easy as wood. (Or just use wood, but aluminum won't rot and it has
a greater strength/weight ratio.)

-gatt