Plywood thickness ?

[Big-E]

I currently have a 16.5 foot Ebbtide bowrider and want to turn the front seats into something usefull like a casting platform. My question is what thickness of plywood will provide the stiffness needed to cross the 16" inbetween the seats? I was thinking 3/4" but was conserned it would be a bit overkill. Would 1/2 " do the job and make me feel like im not on a trampoline? I will not have a seat mounted to this. Just use it for throwing the cast net (im allways falling in the space between the seats) and stand up fishing. It will also give me great storage for my anchor and a battery for the bow mount trolling motor im going to put on her. <br /><br />Thanks, <br /><br />Big-E

 

[mikemerrill50]

Re: Plywood thickness ?

when i got my bowrider from the boat salvage yard, it had a casting deck mounted across the front seats. <br /><br />here's a link to my webshots:<br /> http://community.webshots.com/album/530653041gHTxRa <br /><br />if you look at the pics of the boat that still have part of the floor installed, you can see how they built the casting deck. the deck was done with 1/2" plywood across the deck, and they had another piece underneath the deck across the gap between the seats at a 90 degree angle to the deck, which was screwed to the deck, in the bow side of the consoles.

 

[mikemerrill50]

Re: Plywood thickness ?

oh yeah, and it was extremely sturdy. they had a fighting chair mounted on the middle, which did not have any of the original boat below it. it was mounted above the gap between the seats. underneath the casting deck, they just had a 6"x6" block below where the pedestal mounted to make the mount for the chair more sturdy.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Plywood thickness ?

When you fiberglass or epoxy the plywood, it gets an awful lot stiffer. I built a hatch out of two sheets of 3/16" cheap plywood laminated together. Although the plywood faces were sanded to near nothingness and it was supported about 28" out, it came out really good with hardly any flex. Now mind you it has camber so you can't really compare. But it gives you an idea.<br /> http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,93,00.html

 

[Big-E]

Re: Plywood thickness ?

Thanks alot guys.. Looks like i will be using 1/2 inch.. <br /><br />later, <br /><br />Big-E

 

[crab bait]

Re: Plywood thickness ?

glue an screw a good DOUG-FIR 2x4 width-wise on edge underneath of the plywood..at mid-point..doesn't have to 100 % all-the-way across.. <br /><br />tremendous strenght..

 

[Big-E]

Re: Plywood thickness ?

crab bait: What direction should i place the 2x4? Port Starboard or Bow Stern? Or it dosnt matter? <br /><br />I wouldnt think a little 2x4 could give so much strenght.. <br /><br />Thanks, <br /><br />Big-E

 

[crab bait]

Re: Plywood thickness ?

P to S.. an you'd be thinkin' very wrong .. <br />it's tremendous strenght..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Plywood thickness ?

the direction you place the plywood is also critical. when you cut your floor out of plywood the 8' side should be port/starboard, across the boat, the 4' side bow/stearn. also use 5 ply plywood, not 3 ply. in construction plywood is ran across the joist the 8' way because that is where the strength is. personally you are only spanning about 18". i would just double up the section over the walk thru, and thur bolt my pedestal, with no leg under it. great storage space for life jackets, etc. appliance boxes make great templates.

 

[Big-E]

Re: Plywood thickness ?

wow thanks for the replys guys.. I just learned more about plywood then i think i wanted to . I am not putting a seat up front.. Just will be for fishing and throwing the cast net. <br /><br />I agree on the storage.. I have a bowrider with only storage under the 2 seats and the ski locker. I plan on making a hatch for my anchors, tackle, tools, and trolling motor battery. Id like a built in cooler but fear if i put one in the bow all the sodas would explode when you opened them. <br /><br />Thanks for the Help!! <br /><br />Big-E

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Plywood thickness ?

you're right soda foam everywhere. use it for a fish box.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Plywood thickness ?

Yeah, but then your fish will explode.