Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

[haywatson]

New used 15' ALUM GREGOR w/a 25hp outboard & side steer. Looking forward to fishing soon. I can't help but notice all the nice flooring, raised decks storage boxes, ect. many boats now have. I guess i'm just wanting to know if the pay off is really worth it. I'm concerned about the floor being soaked, (extra weight) not knowing if the boat is taking on water......
I guess i'll have to just get to know my new boat first. Seems nice to be able to just flush out the haul with a hose when needed.

Thanks

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

Save your money for bait and beverages. A deck will add weight, change performance, eat more fuel............. how much walking around can you do on a 15' boat while fishing?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

It is nice to be able to clean the inside of your boat with the garden hose.

Decks and decking are nice, but they add weight to a boat that could slow it down. In your case with the 25 hp. on the 15 footer it would probably be pretty noticeable.

Something to consider.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

just put some plywood boards with center support so you don't have to trip over the ribs; lift them out to clean when needed--which won't be often. leave the stern section open for bailing, running the water out, etc.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

Post a picture. There are a number of ways that it could be done w/o adding a ton of weight. From experience though I would suggest staying away from raised decks. Boat will rock pretty good with the weight raised.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

I have raised decks. It's called a PONTOON boat!

 

[haywatson]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

Bob_VT -Yeah I hear you, B&B that’s funny!

Home Cookin- this might be a good compromise, stand on the ribs would get old.
Do I need to look for marine grade plywood? Is there a special ply that can hold up to this environment?
Can’t wait to give it a run. Stripers and starting to bite, it’s time!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

Marine: not really. use exterior grade, replace every 15 years or so. Or pay 4 times as much and replace every 25 years.

Paint with house paint; sprinkle sand on it when wet.

Bonz is right; keep it low. On my jon, the edges of the plywood are where the sides and hull meet just sitting on top of the ribs; the center is up maybe 3 inches. You might not even need support under there; if so, not much and don't interfere with water draining down the middle.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

just put some plywood boards with center support so you don't have to trip over the ribs; lift them out to clean when needed--which won't be often. leave the stern section open for bailing, running the water out, etc.

My 2nd on this! Yep, this is just what you need, light, cheap, easy to remove for cleaning....

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

I have raised decks. It's called a PONTOON boat!

excellant!!!!!

 

[mommicked]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

We added flooring to my dads 16'/25hp jonboat as Home Cookin described. A decent grade of lightweight, 3/8" (not marine plywood) w some support blocks underneath, 2 pieces layed on top and w the seam at the V of the ribs, and notches at the edges for the side ribs. Primed and covered w 2 coats of durable porchpaint w grit sprinkled on top and it works fine. The thinnish plywood is warping slightly after 2 years, but it's still better than walking/tripping on the ribs. The 3/8" plywood isn't very heavy and the notches at the side ribs hold it firmly in place w/o any screws or fastners.

 

[haywatson]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

Attached is picture that shows a boat we recently saw at The Bass Pro shop.This is what got me thinking about decks and storage boxes. It Looks great but, yes it's gotta add a good amount of weight. I think i'll do the floors as Home Cookin described and run with mommicked's lightweight's 3/8" ply. I'm also looking into the rubberized coating that was used in the pics.
thanks for the help guys. actual boat pics to follow.

 

[haywatson]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

decking material i'm considering

http://www.rubbercal.com/X_Derm.html

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

You may want to consider the Nautolex marine vinyl instead:
http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|10918|311409&id=311410

It comes in 54" and 72" widths and the price is per 3 linear feet.

I put in my boat and love it.

 

[pootnic]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

Not sure on the exact size of your aluminum(width) but there are alot of people that mod their tins.
I bet yours is alot bigger then some as well.
The type of fishing you do and what you want to do with your boat,will decide on what type of mods will come in handy.
It's nice to get up higher to bass fish and have storage for PFD's etc...ask around,get all kinds of opinions.
If you have the money,instead of wood,aluminum may be an option also.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

Attached is picture that shows a boat we recently saw at The Bass Pro shop.This is what got me thinking about decks and storage boxes. It Looks great but, yes it's gotta add a good amount of weight. I think i'll do the floors as Home Cookin described and run with mommicked's lightweight's 3/8" ply. I'm also looking into the rubberized coating that was used in the pics.
thanks for the help guys. actual boat pics to follow.


QUOTE]

That looks nice but I would have access to all areas under the front deck and the bow section. maximize your space, don't seal it off.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

Here is an example of a 14' Lund with a factory deck which it was designed for.

I have sense added a front deck that sits about 2" below the top of the front bench. The top of the rear bench was also made wider and the access hole to the battery and fuel tank was made smaller to make a somewhat larger deck.

With that said I've experienced that when I'm standing in the front or up on the back and there is a lot of boat traffic it sometimes becomes difficult to stay standing! To which brings me to my next quest in a couple of Lunds which do not have the raised bench in the rear and the front deck is even lower to the waterline. Also believe me that I do a lot of bass fishing and being raised another six or so inches is no advantage when you have to fight to stay in the boat!

 

[Ned L]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

On a light weight boat you need to be real careful about adding a deck up high. you will really be raising the center of gravity (affecting the boats stability), and you may end up finding out it is quite difficult (not safe) to stand up. - There is a reason that decked over bass boats are so wide, it's called 'for stability'.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

Seems like a couple plywood ribs and a sheet of diamond plate aluminum would be a lightweight way to go. You can cut aluminum sheet with a regular carbide blade in a circular saw/jigsaw as long as you are wearing ear protection.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Pros and cons to adding decking and flooring ect for fishing

On a light weight boat you need to be real careful about adding a deck up high. you will really be raising the center of gravity (affecting the boats stability), and you may end up finding out it is quite difficult (not safe) to stand up. - There is a reason that decked over bass boats are so wide, it's called 'for stability'.

Exactly the point I was trying to make, twice. In the case of my Lund it is vey stable as long as you are standing on the original deck. Raise yourself just to the height of the bench seats and it can become very unstable.