Bass Boat Decking ?'s

[Novax]

I have a 1986 Astroglass 17' 5" bass boat that has a soft spot in the floor close to the front deck. I want to extend the deck back to the console but not sure if I should fix the soft spot or just build over it. If I build over it I was planning on laying some aluminum down for the flooring of the new deck and add a new livewell and maybe another place for storage. My first question is should I fix the soft spot or just build over it using the aluminum as the cover for it? The reason I'm extending the deck is because there is only like a foot of space between the seat post and the edge of the deck plus the front livewell is very small (Probably used as a bait tank?) and I want to add a bigger one. My next question is, what would you suggest to build this extension with? I'd like to keep it as cheap (but still well built) as possible so aluminum is not an option... 1x1, 2x2, 2x4? Thickness of the decking? Just some thoughts...I've never built anything for a boat so not sure if I should even try it.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: Bass Boat Decking ?'s

You need to fix, or at least cut out the soft spot to see what's causing it. Check your stringers and foam underneath. A soft spot is most often a sign of rot that needs repair. I would not use aluminum. I would make the framework out of 3/4" exterior plywood and at minimum 1/2" exterior plywood for the deck. You'll need to fiberglass it as well.

 

[Novax]

Re: Bass Boat Decking ?'s

The soft spot was caused by a fall from a guy that weighed around 250lbs. I should have stated that in the first post (Sorry). He fell hard. The spot is about the size of his knee, say 6 to 8 inches round.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Bass Boat Decking ?'s

The soft spot was caused by a fall from a guy that weighed around 250lbs. I should have stated that in the first post (Sorry). He fell hard. The spot is about the size of his knee, say 6 to 8 inches round.

The only reason the guy made the soft spot is because your deck is rotting/rotten, a 600 lb. guy could fall on a good deck and it wouldn't hurt it.

We see this stuff every day here on this forum, the world is full of rotting boats... and this is where they come to get fixed.

You should spend some time here in the resto forum and read the different threads, lots of good info here.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Bass Boat Decking ?'s

A couple of things immediately come to mind...

I weigh over 250# and when I fall the Earth moves, but my deck won't...:lol:

How long have you owned the boat and what history do you know of it?

The reason I ask is that boats of this "vintage", generally begin to show soft decks by the time the rest of the structural wood under the deck is pretty much mulch...not always, but very, very common and normal...

If that is the case, anything you do on top of that will never be as structurally sound as you would like to believe and is considered a "band-aid" type of repair, addition or alteration and not generally condoned around here...

If your attachment to this boat is for the long term, then you should check it out as thoroughly as possibly and make sure it is still as solid as you think it is...

That will require you do some core sampling of the transom and stringers, not tapping with a mallet or just looking...

If the boat has foam in it, you should also core sample it, deep down it may be wet and if it is, will never dry out and compromises the performance and handling of the boat...

If, however you happen to hit the proverbial "boat lottery" and find that the boat was well cared for and stored out of the weather throughout its entire life, then you can proceed with almost any alteration, repair or modification you see fit...And the folks here will gladly help you out with lots of ideas and suggestions on how to go about it...

If you decide to just go ahead and do the mods you want to do, use the boat till you tire of it, and later decide to sell it off, just be an "Honest Joe" and let the next guy know what you did...or did NOT do...

Best of Luck and Have Fun!
GT1M

 

[Novax]

Re: Bass Boat Decking ?'s

Considering I bought the boat used and I knew that the spot was there when I bought it, after reading these posts, I may have kicked my own *****. I bought the boat in a hurry, not because of the price but because my son is on a Bass fishing team at his high school and I wanted to be able to take him. I have two other boats (Flat bottoms) but neither of them are setup for these tournaments and this boat was. I'll take a better at everything mentioned here to make sure I didn't just drown my money in high hopes...Oh, honesty is the way I was raised, my dad taught me that if I couldn't tell the truth, I shouldn't even open my mouth.