Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

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climat

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Jul 23, 2010
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I've got a 1982 16' Starcraft SuperSport (original) and I'd like to add a fishing deck/casting platform to the bow. I rarely need the additional seating and would like to make it more fishing friendly! I want to be able to have a pedestal seat and a couple of storage compartments. Any advice would be great - pics are most definitely welcome. Thanks for the help!
 
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df909

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

The person that owned my 20' Bayliner Capri put in a cool platform. Normally there are forward seats for the kids to sit in and act like strange animals, but when it's just me I can take the seats off & place a piece of marine plywood where the cushions were. There is a mount for a pedestal seat in the center too. It's a bit tall & I'm pretty high off the water, but it works well. I'll snap some pics of the platform and post them.
 
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paulp64131

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

I would be very interested in seeing this too. I have an older 1970 Starcraft 18' that I am looking to redo the deck. I recently become interested in Bass Fishing more and more and as of yet do not have the funding to get a Bass boat so I am thinking about making my current boat more fishing friendly.

Like the sig.
 

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Huron Angler

Huron Angler

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

There are a few of us that are restoring Starcrafts that are going in this direction. I might add a piece to mount a pedestal base that attaches to the benches in the bow.

Not sure the best way to do this, some aluminum angle could create a groove to slide the piece into, or sealed wood as a shelf of sorts, with a locking mechanism to hold it down.

The new starcrafts come from the factory with a nice design.

Superfish170_Bow-TrlMtr.jpg
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

I came here to post that^^^ and it's what I'm planning to do with mine.

Hey Starcraft guys, welcome to the forum! Make sure you stop down in the Starcraft section and post up some pics of your boats.
 
JWebber

JWebber

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

I've done it and worked out great for vary cheap. All material from home depot or lowes, carpet wood etc... I started by using a mock up template with cardboard cut to fit etc. Then i rounded off the edges from cut plywood, applied glue and tack carpet to it. I used small staples to tack to bottom of plywood on the underside etc.. I built the upper platform for the trolling motor becuause I did not want to drill into the bow. This works good I have not added a seat yet. Also I added some waterproof spray on the carpet to keep water from warping the plywood. You can use good marine grade ply or good multi ply deck board.
 

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climat

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

Looks great JWebber - thanks for posting the pics as well. Any chance you remember the thinkness of the plywood you used?
 
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ljd1971

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

I did a variation of what HA suggests on my Stratos ski/fish: I screwed three pieces of epoxy-treated and painted 1x2s (using stainless screws and finish washers on the outside and a stainless nut, lock washer, and fender washer with a rubber liner on the inside)along the "U" shape of the bow to make a shelf. I then used a piece of epoxy-treated and carpeted 3/4" plywood to span the gap. My pedestal mount was in the middle of this deck. The space underneath this deck was perfect size for my large tackle box. With the pedestal and seat out the little deck was easy to remove and store. With that out of the way, I snapped the cushions back around the bow and voila! Runabout.
 
JWebber

JWebber

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

3/4" or you can use 1"
 
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paulp64131

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

Huron Angler said:
There are a few of us that are restoring Starcrafts that are going in this direction. I might add a piece to mount a pedestal base that attaches to the benches in the bow.

Not sure the best way to do this, some aluminum angle could create a groove to slide the piece into, or sealed wood as a shelf of sorts, with a locking mechanism to hold it down.

The new starcrafts come from the factory with a nice design.

View attachment 87686
Click to expand...

Check out this thread. about 1/2 way down there are some more pics of this. It looks pretty sweet!

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=357767
 
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climat

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

Can a guy just use treated plywood for the decking or do I need to get a hold of something special?
 
Huron Angler

Huron Angler

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

climat said:
Can a guy just use treated plywood for the decking or do I need to get a hold of something special?
Click to expand...

Doesn't need to be anything special...but DO NOT use pressure-treated lumber in an aluminum boat. The corrosion can be nasty with the chemicals used.

I recommend Arauco ext grade ply, with epoxy resin.
 
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fishrdan

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

Check out how Crestliner does their bow seating/casting deck. The walk through it split in half and hinges, flipped open is seats, flipped closed is the casting deck.

mp_lrg_SF_conversiondeck_open.jpg
 
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climat

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

I'm also a pretty big fan of how they do the rear folding bench seat... I wonder how they get the pedestal seat to mount to the closed position of the bow casting deck?

Seats.jpg
 

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climat

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

Here's a video of those seats in action:

 
ezmobee

ezmobee

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Re: Adding a fishing deck to a bowrider - anyone done it?

fishrdan said:
Check out how Crestliner does their bow seating/casting deck. The walk through it split in half and hinges, flipped open is seats, flipped closed is the casting deck.
Click to expand...

How cool is that!
 
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King James

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Mar 24, 2011
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Just started my fish deck in mine will be reworking it today for opening for storage boxes thinking of making middle section removable as i still have original front seat pads hoping to come up with a way to convert fish to pleasure quickly also need way to hide all the wires from trolling motor fishfinder not a big fan of putting holes in a piece of art. Make sure to check seating position as I installed my base to close to the front kinda uncomfortable, but have idea for easy fix.hope it works or new ply and realy expensive template. tight fit had to remove side panel to make fit. http://www.flickr.com/photos/61232644@N05/5578141606/in/photostream/

pic doesnt show it but it is two pieces one small tringle up under the foot peddle

Oh Oh just watched that crestliner video decisions decisions 4ft and 1ft stainless piano hinges are how much plus padding and and trip to upholstery shop. might just have to go fishing to day and think about it. Can hear her now you spent how much for these seats in this $1300 boat. pray for me this is becoming an addiction.
 
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