First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

[mc20031]

Hey guys, I have done alot of prep work on this boat, removing old glue from carpet, sanding it down and will be etching, priming and painting the interior. As for the decking, I have read some where here that some guys have used PVC pipe cut in half for stringers for the plywood (exterior, will seal it) to then be attached. I have photos of this project and will post them here shortly. As this boat is a deep V, yet almost 5' foot at the transom and 5' mid ship, what is the best way to keep center of gravity low yet end up with a level floor when on the water? Will the PVC pipe work good, or should I try to use aluminum stringers?

OK just tried to download an image, I am not a computer guy, what do I need to do...? URL???

 

[mc20031]

First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

Ok got the picture thing figured out, here is one to start,







Hope i did this right

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

Welcome to iboats. I merged your 2 posts.

That is a pretty strong tansom you have there with 3 knee braces.

Your deck will depend on what layout and what steering you will use.

 

[mc20031]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

Thank you Bob, will not start a new thread again...sorry. Added a couple more pics, will have an outboard motor on transom (new transom board will be installed) and trolling motor mounted up front. Looking for a used 9.9 or 10hp motor. So steering will be from the aft. Not sure of all this lingo hope I am doing ok.

What do you think about the PVC pipe as stringers?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

You can make a removable deck from plywood. IMO I would not use pvc .....it cracks and is really not structural.

Take a look at this completed job http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=267237

 

[mc20031]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

Thats a great looking boat. I guess I had concerns about wood touching the aluminum, thus I was trying to insulate that connection. I do want to have the floor removable as we intend to load it inverted on our tent trailer. So many things to consider as I plan out this project. Sadly I have to head out to work this am, will be back online later this afternoon, thx again for your input.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

A removable deck in a boat that size is nice to have...you can remove and clean the inside of the boat when necessary. Had that set up on my little 15-foot aluminum boat...three bench seats, tiller steer, removable floor panels of tongue-n-groove slats screwed to wooden slats/stringers. Kept the CG low and the boat stable...used to use fold-out camp chairs between the bench seats for fishing once we reached our fav spots.

 

[mc20031]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

Well, did some more work this weekend, have the interior primed and just started on the deck. Have all the alum and chrome pcs soaking to clean off the crud and get them shining. Here a couple pics of the interior primed.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

That boat didnt have a deck in it from the factory in fact if you look at the second to the last picture you can see the bracket for one of the original bench seats that went in it . I would say if you wanted a flat deck in it I would look at Huron anglers thread and try to copy his removable deck sections and do something like that . The bottom of your hull come up so high it would be hrd to do a flat deck in it without bringing the center of gravity to high in her .

Rick

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

Yep, that one could get kind of tippy...watch your CG.

 

[sschefer]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

This might give you some ideas..

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=290215

I think you'll be happier with a little bigger engine on it. The 18 Tohatsu/Nissan is a good choice. The new 20's have vibration problems so I've been told.

 

[mc20031]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

Thank you guys for all your input. I am going to keep the floor very low in her, I will post some more pics of the plywood just setting in her without the stringers underneath. I would appreciate all the input you all have to give. If I need to change my ideas our even no floor I will do so.

So I could put a bigger motor in... is this due to the number of knee braces that she has? I have already glued the 2 oak boards together for the new transom, good old PL poly glue. Really going to keep the weight down... will a 10hp not be enough? Planning on having both a trolling motor and a gas powered. I do have a 36 lb thrust trolling motor for her. But I do have a 24v 74lbs thrust one as well. Just thought that 2 batts would weigh her down alot, so was going to use the smaller of the two. Will probably sell the big one... took pics of it just have not put it up for sale yet.

Thanx again everyone for all your help.

 

[sschefer]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

Thank you guys for all your input. I am going to keep the floor very low in her, I will post some more pics of the plywood just setting in her without the stringers underneath. I would appreciate all the input you all have to give. If I need to change my ideas our even no floor I will do so.

So I could put a bigger motor in... is this due to the number of knee braces that she has? I have already glued the 2 oak boards together for the new transom, good old PL poly glue. Really going to keep the weight down... will a 10hp not be enough? Planning on having both a trolling motor and a gas powered. I do have a 36 lb thrust trolling motor for her. But I do have a 24v 74lbs thrust one as well. Just thought that 2 batts would weigh her down alot, so was going to use the smaller of the two. Will probably sell the big one... took pics of it just have not put it up for sale yet.

Thanx again everyone for all your help.

Your boat is probably rated at 20hp so no problem going bigger and I would advise it. I ran a 9.9 for about a year and just getting up on plane was a chore with a boat full of gear and a fat buddy. In high altitude it was nearly impossible.
I switched to a Nissan 18 and the difference was fantastic. After the last and final rebuild, which is the one you see posted here, I hit 32 mph on the GPS without the trolling motor.
I ran a 12v, 55lb motor with a Optima battery up front and it worked out great. The 36 transom mount was a pain but the 55 front mount with remote control was sweet. I run a 70lb with remote and autopilot on my 18'. Something that others might not realize is that with a front mount, you can keep your main engine down to act as a tiller which will hold you on track in light to moderate wind. As a bonus you can actually steer with it too.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

I'd hit up Home Cheap'o or Lowes and get a couple pieces of "cull lumber" plywood/particleboard/OSB and a few 2x4's or 2x6's and fab up a couple make-shift decks. Then take it to the lake (with weight in the boat, batteries, engine, couple of bricks, sand bag) and see how stable it is at the height you intend to put the decks. Better to find out the deck is too high before you start building the final layout.

At first look I'd try to place the deck plywood into the port/starboard channels, but don't know how it would affect the CG,,, probably bad at the bow, stern??? It looks like the channels are pretty deep and you might be able to bend/bow the deck panels up and then pop them into place. I would make them removable as suggested earlier for cleaning and airing out.

Stringers, dunno, guess I'd use dimensional lumber and seal it up really well so it doesn't rot or get waterlogged (same with the plywood). If you don't want noisy decks you will need to pad them where they touch the aluminum (carpet) or you could get clicks and knocks from the deck flexing and hitting the aluminum hull/stringers.

The deck's weight is going to add up fast (my simple jon boat decks (2) weigh 75#) so make them as light as possible. I'd try to use 1/2" 5-ply plywood and just enough stringers to make the deck stiff.

Are you going to add flotation?

 

[mc20031]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

Thanks again for your input, yes I will be adding floation. Considering the closed cell foam insulation from HD or lowes. Looking to put it in the bow area(do have a bow plate that will be cut down in size, but still a large area to install flotation), also as much as I can fit under the floor area(removable panels).

If you look at the pics of the boat I am considering having the floor at the third formed rib that runs the length of the boat. This would leave about 1"(center) at the rear and approx 4"(center) at the bow of area under the decking. Think the idea of fabbing it up prior to final decision is a really good idea. The transom is not quite 5' in width and the mid section is just a bit over, not knowing anything I consider this to be a fairly stable boat. Of course adding a deck will mess with the CG as I have found doing research here and of course the helpful inputs I am getting from all of you. Lots of things to consider and want to have the answers best I can prior to making final decisions.

Just to explain again, these deck panels will be removed while in transit, as we will be putting it on top of a 69 Apache tent trailer. I did have a complete new suspension put under the tent trailer last year as the old one(torsion bar) had completely failed. So additional weight will not be the problem, we need to lift it by hand on to the trailer, thus the weight concern. Called a few places to ask of the Aluminum pricing for extruded tubing, square.... well need to have it but it is a bit pricey. Would like the strings a part of the boat, just able to set the deck panels on and secure them.

 

[sschefer]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

Actually, I found that adding the deck dramatically decreased my boats tendency to rock and had an improving effect on the center of gravity. I was easily able to transit from front to rear without upsetting passengers or the attitude of the boat. Of course you must keep in mind that it's not the Queen Mary and a certain amount of caution needs to be used but all in all mine was far safer with the deck than without. Even when casting from the front deck, as long as I maintained an awareness of my position it was very comfortable and certainly provided better footing.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

Nice-looking hull you've got there It looks like the bow cap has been removed if you look there are two aluminum tabs that seem like they used to tie the sides together?

Like Rick said there is evidence of benches as well. It seems like you may want to add some lateral integrity as all of that structure was removed by a previous owner(you didn't mention removing it).

My boat is very similar only 2' shorter and still has the benches so I agree that you will want to keep the flooring as low as possible for stability. My removable decking has worked out great and the boat is way more stable with it.

Also have you considered using gluvit to seal the rivets and seams, it is recommended by the experts in these forums.

Good luck with her!

 

[sschefer]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

Just run two stringers down the length of the boat using 1/8" 2x2 aluminum angle and fasten them with 2" 2x2 angle brackets. You can get the angle in 8' lengths at home depot. I held mine back from the transom just in front of the the knee brace to give me enough room for the gas tank. That should take you far enough forward for a full deck. I also used 1/2 shop grade ply in 4' pieces from HD and laid them in sideways. 3 pieces gives you 12 feet. You could fashion studs to attach to the stringers and then drill holes in the wood and drop the deck onto the stud to keep them from slipping around. That would make it easy to remove and keep the weight manageable.
If you welded or riveted a couple of tabs near the stern and up by the bow you could bolt a removable spreader piece of aluminum in to support the sides. For seating you can see how I did that in my post. I just used t-nuts set from underneath the deck and then bolted the seat post down with 5/16" bolts.

 

[mc20031]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

Looking into the 2x2 alum angle to use as stringers with 2x2 brkts. Atleast in the bow area, when I get to the transom end 2x2 might be to tall. May have to go with 1x1 and trim 2x2 brckts to fit as it continues towards the bow. Not able to do to much work on the boat during the week as my job is filling my time. I will hit it hard this weekend though!

There are no current leaks in the hull of the boat and as the floor will be removable I will probably wait on the the gluvit till I see a need.

I cant thank you guys enough for all your inputs, keep them comin.

Looking into a bit larger engine.... will see if it fits the budget.

 

[mc20031]

Re: First boat, 14' alum, installing deck, pic

Hey guys, have a question. Does anyone know what model or year this boat could be? I have been searching for the HIN number but cannot find it. Waiting on the paperwork from my brother inlaw, it was given to him and he used it on his private lake so no registration from him. It was last registered in 97 and I do still have those numbers on the boat. Guess I might contact the state where it was last registered... will also give it a try.

Got alot done this past weekend and will work on the boat some this week, will send in more pics soon. Have the stringers, aluminum, in place and the deck ply cut and sitting there. Also made some seat pedestals, quickies, to see how tall I would like to get once I purchase some new ones. Keeping the CG down... way down!

Thanks for any input.