re: Painting vs. Polishing aluminum boat

Someone stole it from the side of my house a couple of years ago, so no pics. Welding aluminum isn't for someone who doesn't know what they are doing. You could make it out of thinner sheet metal, brace it good, and bolt it to some aluminum brackets. Then, get a welder to weld the console into the boat

I'd also make a plate that covers all of the controls going to the console