1991 Starcraft 19' superfisherman

[Human84]

Was wondering if the front deck needs to be re-installed into this boat for structural purposes to keep the boat from twisting or racking.....or can I just leave it out for a wide open floor plan. Re-purposing the boat for big water duck hunting and would really like the wide open floor plan. Having trouble uploading a pic....saying file size too large and not sure how to resize it.

 

[Frey0357]

Hello there Human and welcome!

I am a fan of the photobucket webpage, which is free to open and upload pics to. You can upload the pics, open them....cut...and paste them right into the body of your post here, it is really easy. you can even resize them by dragging the corner of each photo. I find this much easier to use rather than uploading pics that everyone has to click on to view.

To answer your questions we will need a photo of the boat to provide more information. It would seem to me that the casting deck does provide some structural component, but that doesn't mean that you need to put it back, perhaps some side structure would provide similar stability like the casting deck does today....

Frey

 

[Human84]

don't think this is working.... I'm on a mac and it doesn't give me an option to cut...

 

[Human84]

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[Human84]

No Title

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

:welcome: to iboats Human!

As Frey mentioned option #3 is the best way to post pics to get help.

These must be popular as a google search turned up many pics and even a video so I've at least seen what we're talking about. I unfortunately am unfamiliar with how the newer SC are constructed and didn't see any pics of one torn apart.

That said I would bet that not only is the casting deck structural at very least at the front of the cut out that the consoles also add some support, so the question is how much are looking to open it up?

I could see opening it up to be like a utility style hull but would look at leaving the front portion of the deck and perhaps adding some sort of side boxing if you went that far.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

I type slow and you got back in while I was posting looking at those pics you may be ok. was any of the front deck framing tied to the hull?

 

[Human84]

It was just attached to those flimsy metal standoffs that are riveted down to the hull but not to the sides. I would love to have it wide open if possible. With hunting you can never have enough room for gear.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

With the boxing up the sides and the boxed gunwhale in my amateur opinion I'd say you're good but perhaps others will chime and point out something I don't see.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

i have a 16fter, I put a bench across to replace the "support" the side consoles and front benches may have provided. I liked it better all the open, but the bench adds support and some storage.

 

[Watermann]

Welcome aboard H84 :wave:

If you could explain what you're planning to do a little more it might help understand and come up with a solution. Are you keeping the consoles and windshield?

I see you've got the tear down almost done in the pics, that's some tough work.

Here's what I think, you'd have less room if you didn't raise deck the bow. All you'd have is a little V up there for decking with tall steep sides at the bow's V. More room for gear thoughts. Your gear would be taking up that small space quick. Replace the bow deck and all your gear can be stowed below in a cavernous storage compartment. With no livewell or batteries up front you can make a massive area for storage under that bow deck.

Speaking of livewell if you're looking for a new home for it PM me, I have just the place for it.

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