Quadzilla724
Cadet
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2012
- Messages
- 9
Hi, as an avid fisherman with a small budget, I decided to take on a project to convert an aluminum boat into a bass-boat with decking, seats, etc. I found a good deal and ended up buying a very nice 14' Alumicraft with a newer trailer, 8HP Mariner engine, 48# Minn-Kota Trolling motor, clamp on seats and a marine battery. He was asking $800 for everything. I offered the guy $625 and he accepted.
I then went to purchase the items to modify the boat. I bought 5/8" treated plywood, marine carpet and a pair of pedestal seats to start. This boat has 3 aluminum bench seats with one small platform at the tip. My intention was to run decking from the tip to the second bench, leaving the last bench and space between open. I plan to deck the floor of the last open space and last bench, as well as the small area at the transom later. (BTW, after reading past posts, I'm prepared to get yelled at for buying treated wood)
I have a multitude of questions about the best way to do this for strength, stability, functionality and most importantly, good looks
but before I do that, I have a more pressing question...
I've gotten as far as cutting the deck out and that's it. Since the start, my son and I have taken the boat out twice, removing everything, of course. One thing I noticed is this boat rolls badly; it's 48" at it's widest point. It was nerve-racking standing on the floor and I didn't even attempt to stand on a seat. Now I'm extremely concerned that having pedestal chairs (11" posts) will make this craft dangerously unstable and unusable by making the center of gravity even higher. FWIW, I weigh around 215 and my son weighs about 175
Should I get rid of this boat and buy a jon boat instead or will all that added weight from the lumber stabilize it enough to make the project work? I plan to shore up the deck with 2x4 legs cut to fit the contour of the hull. I don't really have a lot invested yet and if I decide to change course, I'm only out a $30 sheet of plywood (assuming swapping the V-haul for a flat-bottom is a wash).
That right now this is the big question. Once solved, I'm sure I'll be on here constantly asking for advice and tips as the project progresses.
Some other facts that may or may not be relevant: I'd like to NOT secure the deck to the boat so it can be removed for cleaning and drying. I plan to add hatches in each space for storage. Also, from the looks of things, the forward pedestal seat would be bolted to the plywood over a space (we'll discuss reinforcement later) while the aft seat I'd like positioned right were the back bench is which would have plywood/carpet covering it.
I'm new to this forum, but after reading many posts here, I'm sure I'll get tons of help, so thank you all in advance. My son is helping me with this project and we are both very excited about it and I'm glad I have a resource like this to help us along.
I then went to purchase the items to modify the boat. I bought 5/8" treated plywood, marine carpet and a pair of pedestal seats to start. This boat has 3 aluminum bench seats with one small platform at the tip. My intention was to run decking from the tip to the second bench, leaving the last bench and space between open. I plan to deck the floor of the last open space and last bench, as well as the small area at the transom later. (BTW, after reading past posts, I'm prepared to get yelled at for buying treated wood)
I have a multitude of questions about the best way to do this for strength, stability, functionality and most importantly, good looks
but before I do that, I have a more pressing question...I've gotten as far as cutting the deck out and that's it. Since the start, my son and I have taken the boat out twice, removing everything, of course. One thing I noticed is this boat rolls badly; it's 48" at it's widest point. It was nerve-racking standing on the floor and I didn't even attempt to stand on a seat. Now I'm extremely concerned that having pedestal chairs (11" posts) will make this craft dangerously unstable and unusable by making the center of gravity even higher. FWIW, I weigh around 215 and my son weighs about 175
Should I get rid of this boat and buy a jon boat instead or will all that added weight from the lumber stabilize it enough to make the project work? I plan to shore up the deck with 2x4 legs cut to fit the contour of the hull. I don't really have a lot invested yet and if I decide to change course, I'm only out a $30 sheet of plywood (assuming swapping the V-haul for a flat-bottom is a wash).
That right now this is the big question. Once solved, I'm sure I'll be on here constantly asking for advice and tips as the project progresses.
Some other facts that may or may not be relevant: I'd like to NOT secure the deck to the boat so it can be removed for cleaning and drying. I plan to add hatches in each space for storage. Also, from the looks of things, the forward pedestal seat would be bolted to the plywood over a space (we'll discuss reinforcement later) while the aft seat I'd like positioned right were the back bench is which would have plywood/carpet covering it.
I'm new to this forum, but after reading many posts here, I'm sure I'll get tons of help, so thank you all in advance. My son is helping me with this project and we are both very excited about it and I'm glad I have a resource like this to help us along.
