2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

[ozenine]

Well, I have finally decided to do some boat work
I have this 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper 14 footer, which we bought last year. It was bought new so it is a pretty much empty hull as it comes from the factory. It is powered by 15 hp 4 stroke Mercury long shaft.
We had it out couple times and it has really impressed me with the performance, hull size and depth.
http://www.sylvanmarine.com/Showroom/Specifications.aspx?TypeId=24&SeriesId=148&ModelId=1583&Type=Utilities&Series=Sea%20Snapper&Model=14

So the idea is to install the floor, storage boxes, electical wiring. I will try to make pictures of the whole progress and ask as many questions as I can

So lets start with the wish list.


Have Enough "Closed" storage for:

1. Anchor
2. Ropes
3. Safety Kit
4. Battery
5. Gas Tank
6. Odds and Ends

Have Electrical Hookups for:

1. Fish Finder
2. Transom Mounted Trolling Motor
3. Downriggers? - not sure if I will upgrade to electric ones
4. Navigation Lights - not sure since we rarely stay till night
5. Outboard Motor Does not need battery, since it is manual start

I would like to keep existing bunk seats since I think they add ridgidity to the boat. I do not want to screw floor to the hull, As the matter of fact I do not want to make any new holes in the hull, maybe just in seats, but not in outside shell.

I am thinking of having floors in all sections except for the very last one. I would like to have under floor storage, so maybe add a hatch ot two. I would like to store my deepcycle battery and gas tank in the newly built boxes section in front of the second bunk.
I am thinking of the fishfinder on top of last bunk and 2 swiwel seats on top of first and last bunks.
I would like to mount downriggers on both sides of middle seat (maybe on top of new boxes?) I have 1 downrigger now and may get another one.

Ok, I am open of any ideas/suggestions/ discussions. Nothing is etched in stone as of now....

 

[ozenine]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

Possible locations of storage boxes. In order to host gas tank and battery they need to be 2.5 inches higher than seats

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

Everything you want to do looks like it will work to me.

How many people do you usually have in the boat?... and how many people do you want to seat?

I can see a raised deck from the bow to the back of the middle bench with lots of storage beneath. A pedestal seat on the raised deck and 2 swivel seat base mounts at the back of the middle bench. I can also see a bow mount trolling motor instead of the transom mount if you'd like. Bow mounts steer the boat much better than transom mounts.

I also see a slightly raised main deck in front of the back bench for easy mobility.

Lots of stuff you can do with such a clean canvas to work with.

 

[ozenine]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

So Questions:
1) Is this a good idea to store Gas tank and DC battery in closed boxes?
2) Can I get away with just 1 deep cycle battery for all my electronics?
3) Have you guys seen under floor storage in utility boats?
4) Should I use 1/2 inch floor plywood (baltic birch?) or 3/4?
5) How frequently should I space joists? Every 16 inches?
6) I am thinking of making joists out of softwood and wrapping in fiberglass fabric. Good/ bad idea?

As I said before I would like to keep weight of whole construction to the minimum. I was thinking of joists out of aluminum, but I am afraid it can be cost prohibitive.

Forgot to say that boat is always stored indoors, except for couple weeks during summer when we take it camping.

 

[ozenine]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

I was thinking same regarding the raised floor. My only concirn is the center of gravity, as it is it rides really high above the waterline. Resting, top of middle seat is probably 14 inches above the waterline.
I usually have 2 people in the boat 80% of the time. Another 20% is 4.

I am not a fan of bow mounts TM's, except for the Minn Kotas iPilots, but there is no budget for one

 

[ozenine]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign



I was looking for some options for the floor covering. and found this product at Costco. It is a garage floor covering which they also advertise for the outside use (so should be UV resistant). it will cost me 140 bucks and a big chunk will be left over.
Other option is to go with marine floor covering like NAUTEX. That will cost me 160.
Finally I can use truck bedliner stuff. If i bring it to professionals it will cost me 10/sqfoot Close to 500 dollars all together plus 150 bucks for tinting (if I do not want grey colour). Unless I can find the gallon of this stuff and use rollers. Still 130-140 dollars.

What do you guys think?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

Hi OZ, just signing on to see what ya come up. I'll be headed down this road in a few months time here.

 

[ozenine]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

Hi OZ, just signing on to see what ya come up. I'll be headed down this road in a few months time here.

Perfect, no pressure
I really like the garage floor option. Called the manufacturer and they said taht it was used on the boats before and to install it they recommend marine grade adheseve. However product does not have UV coating but it will work well..... Not sure what that means..

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

I tend to think that a carpet or nautolex deck would be a bit more comfortable than that dark garage flooring stuff, eh

 

[ozenine]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

I had a carpet on my previous 14ft boat and hated it. if you fish hooks get tangled in the fibers and it is impossible to take them out without ripping a chunk off. Moreover carpet is not as watherproof as the other stuff. At this point choice is Bedliner/Nautolex or this garage floor stuff (it is actually grey)

 

[carpedium]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

View attachment 143181View attachment 143182

I was looking for some options for the floor covering. and found this product at Costco. It is a garage floor covering which they also advertise for the outside use (so should be UV resistant). it will cost me 140 bucks and a big chunk will be left over.
Other option is to go with marine floor covering like NAUTEX. That will cost me 160.
Finally I can use truck bedliner stuff. If i bring it to professionals it will cost me 10/sqfoot Close to 500 dollars all together plus 150 bucks for tinting (if I do not want grey colour). Unless I can find the gallon of this stuff and use rollers. Still 130-140 dollars.

What do you guys think?

You can get your own 2-part bedliner to spray in. I have seen it done, and it turns out great! You select the rubber granual size, from dust to bb's depending on how "aggressive" you want the surface to be. It also comes in any color of the rainbow. I am going with light gray on the inside. Check out my thread in my signature, as I will be posting pics of how mine comes out when I spray in the next couple days. All together with shipping it will cost me less than $180 and I will have a good amount left over on a 17.5' boat spraying sides, floor and tops of gunwales.

If you are fishing the great lakes for trout or salmon you know how bloody and slimy it can get. I love the idea of being able to hose her down, and clean up with some dawn to keep the fish smell down.

Link: http://sprayonbedliners.info/home.html

EDIT: Another basis of my decision - in the interest of full disclosure: The bedliner acts as a sealer. It is chemically bonded to everything it is sprayed to... except Polyethylene. There is no way water can get between your deck covering and your decking. If you seal the sides of the decking with 5200, as I did, and spray at least a little of your sides, It will be a full impermeable "cup" all the way around the deck. With carpet and vinyl, the water, slime, blood, will have the potential to permeate in these areas.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

Yah, I hear ya. Trying to dig a crawler harness out of carpet isn't all that much fun.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

So Questions:
1) Is this a good idea to store Gas tank and DC battery in closed boxes?
2) Can I get away with just 1 deep cycle battery for all my electronics?
3) Have you guys seen under floor storage in utility boats?
4) Should I use 1/2 inch floor plywood (baltic birch?) or 3/4?
5) How frequently should I space joists? Every 16 inches?
6) I am thinking of making joists out of softwood and wrapping in fiberglass fabric. Good/ bad idea?

As I said before I would like to keep weight of whole construction to the minimum. I was thinking of joists out of aluminum, but I am afraid it can be cost prohibitive.

Forgot to say that boat is always stored indoors, except for couple weeks during summer when we take it camping.

1. Battery and gas boxes need to be well vented! especially for the gasoline.
2. You can probably get away with just one battery, but make it a good one with lots of power.
3. You can have storage under raised decks.
4. You can use 1/2" decking, just make sure it is an exterior grade plywood. You will need to seal this plywood with a good exterior grade sealer.
5. For 1/2" decking I would space the framing at 12", if you want 16" centers I would move up to 5/8" or 3/4" decking.
6. Deck and floor framing in a boat should be made out of aluminum angle or square tubing for a permanent build. Aluminum framing is also a fraction of the weight of wood, weight adds up quickly when framing out of wood..

You can buy aluminum angle and square tube at scrap yards and recycle centers for a fraction of what it costs new. It may have some scratches and little dents in it, but no one will ever see it after the plywood goes down on top of it.


As far as your deck/floor covering goes, I'm sure you'll be the happiest with the Nautolex vinyl, and that garage floor stuff will probably be ok (but it looks like a hook could stick in it).

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

The UV issue with the garage coating rules it out. I've mentioned that to numerous people considering using it over the years. It'll chalk up with exposure.

 

[ozenine]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

You can get your own 2-part bedliner to spray in.
.......


EDIT: Another basis of my decision - in the interest of full disclosure: The bedliner acts as a sealer. It is chemically bonded to everything it is sprayed to... except Polyethylene. There is no way water can get between your deck covering and your decking. If you seal the sides of the decking with 5200, as I did, and spray at least a little of your sides, It will be a full impermeable "cup" all the way around the deck. With carpet and vinyl, the water, slime, blood, will have the potential to permeate in these areas.

Thanks, I am gravitating to the bedliner idea. The question is to find it in Canada. I am not even concidering getting this from US, you can double your price usually........
Subscribed to your thread. I was looking at it trying to steal ideas on how to design floor joists

 

[ozenine]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

Yah, I hear ya. Trying to dig a crawler harness out of carpet isn't all that much fun.

Yep, even better with pike lure with 3 sets of tri-hooks. And even much better if you have fish on one of those hooks and other 2 are imbeded in the carpet. Been there, done that, do not want to do it again.

 

[ozenine]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

Hi Guys, thought I would give some updates on the progress. I think I am close to being done with purchasing stuff. The biggest problem was to find where to buy it. So I thought I would make a list of things that I have bought and where, so fellow Canadians will benefit.
1. 2 pieces of 1/2 plywood - 16 bucks each at lowes - clearance
2. 1 piece of 3/4 ply - 32 bucks at Home Depot
3. 14 feet of DekMaster outdoor vinyl - 12 dollars per foot plus 35 bucks cutting charge - special order from Home Depot
4. 1 gallon of outdoor adhesive - 25 dollars at HD (I did not go with DekMaster one as it would have been 75 bucks!)
5. 1 voltmeter - 12 dollars Princess Auto
6. 2x25 feet of 14ga wire - 7 dollars each at Princess Auto
7. 2 inline fuse holders - 4 dollars at CanadianTire
8. 2 sets of fuses - 1amp and 3 amps - 4 bucks each at Canadian Tire
9. 2 Stainless Steel hinges - 3 feet 15 dollars each at Lee Valley
10. 2 sets of SS screws - 30 of 2 1/2 and 40 of 1 1/2, 6 dollars each at lowes (note - I have found a huge selection of SS screws at Canadian Tire, great if you need 1 or 2, otherwise lowes is cheaper)
11. 4 stainless steel latches - 3 dollars for all at Princess Auto - clearance
12. 5 2x4 - 10 bucks
13. 1 stainless steel stock rod - 1/8 x 1/2 x 36 - 20 bucks at Home Depot
14. Outdoor grade electrical plug and outlet - 10 bucks for both at Home Depot (rated for 15 amps at 120v, so should handle my 30 amps trolling motor at 12v). and Yes, I know it is home grade plug, but I could not justify spending 60+ bucks for the locking one.
15. Tube of 5200 sealant - 15 bucks at Canadian Tire
16. T-style wire connectors - 5 dollars at Princess Auto
17. Wire Sealant - 6 dollars at Princess Auto
18. 1 gallon of outdoor grade paint - 4 dollars at lowes - mistint

To Buy
1. Battery Master Switch
2. Battery master terminals
3. Boat Cover
4. Plywood outdoor sealant

 

[ozenine]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

So here is what is done so far -
1. Design is pretty much done
2. All plywood is cut out
3. Floor joist structure is done
4. Front Platform is done

I have decided to follow the advice and make a front casting platform with storage underneath. Also I gave up the idea of storage compartment for gas tank, which gave me flexibility with side of the storage boxes. I decided to extend the middle seat forward and have a box all across the boat in front of it. It will be 11 inches wide and as high as the seat, so i will get anothercasting platform in the middle. Also I will not loose seating space as someone can seat on it.

I will have 2 swiwel seats - one in the fronth in top of casting platform (wife does not want to sit high, so I will make seat seating on the floor level). And another seat on the last bench for me.

I will have 2 downriggers mounted on top of middle seat (it will be covered by 3/4 plywood for strength) as well as fishfinder on the top of rear seat.

I will try to get pictures, but I am working in the garage where there is no space, so i have to keep all the stuff in the boat, so pictures will be messy

 

[ozenine]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

Ok, here are the pictures:
Here is the design of the front platform structure:

Here is front bracket taht I made out of stainless steel stock:

attached to the seaton the other side:

Swivel seat will go here:

Extended middle seat with storage box in front:

Floor Joists are layed on top of ribs

 

[ozenine]

Re: 2011 Sylvan Sea Snapper Redesign

Floor with attached joists. The most dfficult part was to level all the joists, so they support floor evenly. A lot of trial and error.

Battery will go in front of the middle seat. I am not sure where to put the voltmeter. Originally I thought that t wil be imbedded in front wall of the box. It requires "in dash" install< so it will stick out on the inside of the box. Or I can make another "dash" on top of rear seat. Not sure. What do you guys think?

Closeup of the joist on top of the rib> i am debating n wheather I should another support in the middle of the joist, so it is supported in 3 spots. However the floor feels solid.