Customizing a Runabout for Diving

[Grunt_Sculpin]

I know there are some boat smart people here so I am looking for some advice. I have a 18.5 foot runabout with a cushioned sun lounge and a swim platform. I am trying to think of some ways that I can create a deck for the padded sun lounge that will fit over top of it, like an aluminum plate with some rubber bushings or something on the bottom. I am trying to create a surface that dive gear could be dragged back and fourth over without ruinning the vinyl. I would just take it off for normal use and back on when I go diving.....anyone have ideas on how to cusomize my runabout to do the occasional diving without completely ruining my boat?

Thanks in advance.

 

[EricR]

Re: Customizing a Runabout for Diving

I am sure what you want to do can be done, I see all kinds of boats rigged for different purposes all the time, like an old Thunderbird tri hull with rigging to pull shrimp trawl nets for example.

I do not think what you want to do would be too difficult, I had a buddy that dove using a 23' Formula and he came in and out of the back of 'er all the time.

ER

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Customizing a Runabout for Diving

Post a picture of the back of your boat. I think I know what you are asking for...just want clarification.

What are you able to do? Can you weld? Woodwork? Fiberglass?

Is there any special need? Tie downs? Cleats? Railing?

So you don't want to remove the sunpad...you just want to protect it? You may have to worry about the added weight...so...fiberglassed plywood may add too much weight.

-JMW

 

[Grunt_Sculpin]

Re: Customizing a Runabout for Diving

I am not real handy when it comes to these things, but I have a few friends that are. They can weld, do wood work, etc. I posted a picture of the boat...except mine is blue...but I doubt that matters...heheheh.

Thanks for the help!

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Customizing a Runabout for Diving

Is the sun deck removable? I would fabricate a replacement "sundeck" that I would swap when I was going out diving. That is just me though.

-JMW

 

[Grunt_Sculpin]

Re: Customizing a Runabout for Diving

I can remove the entire lid with hinges....and I thought about doing this with some kind of quick release and then replacing the deck with aluminum plating and hinges. I also thought that it would be cool to put some kind of D rings on the platform so I could strap a complete BCD to it and then just sit on the edge, put it on, stand up and step off the back. Its just hard for me to customize a new boat, but it will be harder if someone drops a tank through the fiberglass floor.