Bass boat with rotted floors. Can I yank the livewells and increase the seating cap?

[777funk]

I just picked up a bass boat that will need ALL new wood floors. There was no foam in this particular model (1989 Quantum 18.5 footer with a 125 Force outboard).

I have a big family (all boys) and would like to have a couple more seats in the hull instead of the big flat floor space. The hull depth in front of the console is about the same as at the console so there should be plenty of leg depth there to add seats. But before I do I wanted to see if this is legal etc. I don't need 2 livewells in our boat. We catch mostly panfish which we do keep and we throw back our bass (sport and enjoyment only). So one livewell is more than enough.

 

[gm280]

Welcome aboard 777funk :welcome: great to have you join us here on iboats.

It is very hard to make any determinations not seeing what you are really talking about. So post some pictures and let us see what you see. Then we can give more informed decisions. You certainly will get some quality answers from folks that have done most anything you could imagine. So post those pictures and your ideas about how you want to "remodel" your new boat... Again welcome aboard we await your next post with pictures... :eagerness:

 

[alldodge]

I just picked up a bass boat that will need ALL new wood floors. There was no foam in this particular model (1989 Quantum 18.5 footer with a 125 Force outboard).

I have a big family (all boys) and would like to have a couple more seats in the hull instead of the big flat floor space. The hull depth in front of the console is about the same as at the console so there should be plenty of leg depth there to add seats. But before I do I wanted to see if this is legal etc. I don't need 2 livewells in our boat. We catch mostly panfish which we do keep and we throw back our bass (sport and enjoyment only). So one livewell is more than enough.

:welcome: to iboats

The boat was made by Maxum and sits pretty low to the water. They did make this boat in a Fish-n-ski and bass boat design from what I found. Difference being live wells in the front or bench seating. Does your boat resemble the below pics?

 

[777funk]

That's the one! Mine had a bass boat config with two livewells, a cooler, and a deck/pedistal in the front (not fish and ski version) but the rest looks identical.

Of course the current state of my interior is a clean slate. All the plywood is shot and will need to be replaced. I was thinking of doing what that fish'n'ski above has but extending the benches just a hair closer to the bow. Looks like that boat would carry 5. I'd like to be able to fit 5-7 (2 adults and 3-5 kids 12 and under).

I did notice the coast guard tag that lists 4 occupants or 600 lbs.

 

[ondarvr]

It's legal to rebuild it to just about any configuration you would like, other details of legality are more determined by the local authorities. Some local regulatory agencies use the CG recommendations as law, others don't.

 

[alldodge]

The boat should have a weight/person count label. So long as you don't exceed it you will be okey dokey

 

[777funk]

Darn! It shows 4 (this one was setup for bass boat config and not the fish/ski interior). I was figuring build my own fish/ski. Factory tag may be the limiting factor here. Bummer!

 

[alldodge]

Darn! It shows 4 (this one was setup for bass boat config and not the fish/ski interior). I was figuring build my own fish/ski. Factory tag may be the limiting factor here. Bummer!

It's weight mostly, people for those who cannot figure weight. They are both low riding hulls with very little free board. If your not all 200 plus dudes you may be OK, but need to figure that out