Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

[detroit_fan]

Hi everyone, just purchased my first boat, a 1982 16' Starcraft SS. It came with a 1987 yacht club trailer and a 2006 90Hp ETEC with only 63 hours on it. The wife and kids love the bow seating, but I would like to be able to convert it to a fishing area for when me and dad go out(which is 80% of the time).

I want something that i can put on or take off if the family wants to go out, so i don't want this to be a permanent install. Anyone else ever done this? Any idea or pics?

Thanks, Jason

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

A couple cleats and an odd shaped piece of well sealed plywood (3/4", possibly 1/2 or 5/8" doubled) that fits flush to the existing bow seating and some way to keep it in place (latches on the bottom of the plywood possibly) when in use. Cleats should be small enough to not be a problem when the platform is removed.

Pull the bow cushions, latch the platform in place, go fish, then reverse after fishing.........

 

[detroit_fan]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

thanks for the ideas jbcurt00. i'll pull up the bow seats tomorrow and see what it looks like. i tried pulling them briefly already but they didn't come up, must be attached somehow

 

[detroit_fan]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

what product do i use to seal the wood? what is the most inexpensive type of wood that would work? could i just use regular non-treated plywood and just treat it with a water sealer?

 

[64osby]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

Spar varnish is a good product and pretty inexpensive. Accuro plywood is a favorite here, water proof glue and fairly smooth. It's available at most of the big box stores.

I'd look at removing the cushions, cut one large piece to fill the nose, cover the seats, double up at the cut out. Maybe use some industrial Velcro to hold it in place.

 

[detroit_fan]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

Spar varnish is a good product and pretty inexpensive. Accuro plywood is a favorite here, water proof glue and fairly smooth. It's available at most of the big box stores.

I'd look at removing the cushions, cut one large piece to fill the nose, cover the seats, double up at the cut out. Maybe use some industrial Velcro to hold it in place.

Thanks!

Is the accuro a marine plywood? How thick should I go?

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

Accuro is not a marine plywood but it is a high quality plywood made with waterproof glue. I'd use 3/4" thick.

 

[detroit_fan]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

Accuro is not a marine plywood but it is a high quality plywood made with waterproof glue. I'd use 3/4" thick.

great. I have home depot, lowes and menards close, any of them carry it?

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

great. I have home depot, lowes and menards close, any of them carry it?

I bought mine at Menards.

 

[detroit_fan]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

Thanks, I'll head there tomorrow

 

[detroit_fan]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

Went shopping this morning, went to lowes, home depot and menards, looking for Accuro, none of them had it. Then i went to a local place and they had Arauco, is that the correct stuff? I bought some 3/4" thick, sanded and looks really nice.

also, i picked up some minwax spar urethane, is that the correct stuff?

what do you guys recommend for covering the platform? my original plan was outdoor carpet, but my dad thinks marine vinyl may be better. i like the idea of the "grip" of the carpet, but if the vinyl is a better choice i can do that too.

 

[classiccat]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

11 Posts Deep and no pics???? :mad-new:

Is the mob getting soft???? :noidea:

Come'on Detroit Fan! Feed Us hoto:! :hungry:

 

[64osby]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

... Then i went to a local place and they had Arauco, is that the correct stuff? I bought some 3/4" thick, sanded and looks really nice.

also, i picked up some minwax spar urethane, is that the correct stuff?

what do you guys recommend for covering the platform? my original plan was outdoor carpet, but my dad thinks marine vinyl may be better. i like the idea of the "grip" of the carpet, but if the vinyl is a better choice i can do that too.

Yes yes and personal choice. Sorry about the spelling on the ply.

 

[detroit_fan]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

11 Posts Deep and no pics???? :mad-new:

Is the mob getting soft???? :noidea:

Come'on Detroit Fan! Feed Us hoto:! :hungry:

lol, i'll get the cover off her and get some pics, it's been windy and raining here.

Yes yes and personal choice. Sorry about the spelling on the ply.

thanks. no worries about the spelling, just happy i found it. home depot tried to sell me osb, lowes told me to just use pressure treated, menards could order georgia pacific 3/4" exterior ply, but it would take 7-10 days. from now on i will start my search at the small local lumberyard.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

lol, i'll get the cover off her and get some pics, it's been windy and raining here.



thanks. no worries about the spelling, just happy i found it. home depot tried to sell me osb, lowes told me to just use pressure treated, menards could order georgia pacific 3/4" exterior ply, but it would take 7-10 days. from now on i will start my search at the small local lumberyard.

:facepalm:

Any ACX grade plywood work. Have you considered remodeling the bow to be a full time fishing platform but adding removeable seats to it? I will be a little lower down than a normal fishing platform but would be a heck of alot easier than lugging a hunk of 3/4" ply in and out of the boat everytime you need to switch her purpose

 

[detroit_fan]

Re: Converting open bow of 16' SS to fishing platform

:facepalm:

Any ACX grade plywood work. Have you considered remodeling the bow to be a full time fishing platform but adding removeable seats to it? I will be a little lower down than a normal fishing platform but would be a heck of alot easier than lugging a hunk of 3/4" ply in and out of the boat everytime you need to switch her purpose

the previous owner did a really nice job on the seats and the wife loves them, so they have to stay. the good news is that wife and kids will probably only go out a few times all season, so i will hopefully only have to pull it a few times. I will dock the boat so i may be able to just set the casting deck on the dock while i'm not using it.

if the wife didn't care, those seats would be gone and i would install a casting deck with storage cutouts