deck supports

[FLbasshunter]

what is the best material to use for jon boat deck supports? not concerned about weight but need to keep it on the cheaper side. also what can the decks be made from?

 

[fishrdan]

Re: deck supports

When I low decked my jon boat and used 3/8" plywood with 1"x 1(or so)" pine stringers that went in between the boat's ribs. Nice and light, and it feels better walking around since you are not standing on the thin aluminum hull.

 

[FLbasshunter]

Re: deck supports

thank you. I was thinking about making more of like a flipping deck, but decided that the boat wasnt stable enough. I probably will low deck it now that I think about it.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: deck supports

I used 3/4"x3" flats of pine on my 12' aluminum V-hulland tied it down with stainless screws such that the pieces can be lifted out to wash the boat. The sections resemble decking that you'd see attached to a house(my buddy told me to make them close enough together so that cigs/lures/sinkers don't fall thru if dropped).

I built a section for the tiller driver to stand on and also below the transom to distribute the weight of batteries/gas tanks stored aft.

I agree, much nicer standing on flat decking than thin curved aluminum while fishing They did add more weight to the boat than I anticipated though.

I haven't sealed or varnished the pieces, considering bedliner.