[Davej]

I have an older 16' deep 'v' Alum. boat that was not originally built to be a user-friendly fishing boat, but more for skiing or for joy riding. I have had it for awhile and have changed some things like putting in pedestal fishing seats (and removing the stationary cushion type), adding a bow mount trolling motor, adding a depth finder, etc. but I would like to make some extreme changes like putting in a level, flat floor, remove the flat benches that extend the entire width of the boat and are riveted to the bottom and sides (filled with flotation), remove compartments in the rear that are also riveted to the sides and bottom, etc. I am concerned that doing this may alter the structural integrity of the boat but by framing in the floor with Alum. angle and adding marine plywood, shouldn't this add to the strength of the bottom and sides? I have heard of guys doing some pretty radical changes to boats like this but I want to make sure that if I do so, that I do it correctly & that the boat is still sound and won't fall apart on the water if we should encounter rough water conditions. Does anyone know of a reference (book, video, knowledgeable individual, etc.) that gives some ideas on converting to a fishing boat with a more open deck, flat flooring, adding a live well, moving/adding storage compartments, etc.? If so, please let me know. Even a little info. could help. Thx in advance to all that respond.

[thornious]

I don't know of any manuals but I helped a friend do a similar job on an older deep V. We did the deck the live wells and the pedestal seats. We did leave all the cross seats in place. I do have to say it was a lot of work and the boat "I cant remember its name" was really deep so that helped. The downside of the whole thing was, he still could only put limited hp and with all the added extra weight from the deck and other additions we were probably overloaded all the time. Hope it helps. he sold the boat a two years later a bought a real bass boat