Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

[ILgooseman]

Hey guys, I bought a 1994 Sea Ark aluminum all-weld fishing boat. I bought it with the intentions of duck hunting out of it because I got it at a really good price. My question is how safe would it be to take the decks out of it? How easily could it be done? I would really appreciate some help on this before I go to cutting with a hack-saw and ruin a boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

Hey guys, I bought a 1994 Sea Ark aluminum all-weld fishing boat. I bought it with the intentions of duck hunting out of it because I got it at a really good price. My question is how safe would it be to take the decks out of it? How easily could it be done? I would really appreciate some help on this before I go to cutting with a hack-saw and ruin a boat.

Ayuh,....Welcome Aboard,..... Got any pictures,.... Donno if their structural or not.... probably are...

 

[JEBar]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

as noted, much depends on if the decks are designed to proved structural support to the hull .... 15 or so years ago we took the 2 center bench seats out of a aluminum boat that had 4 benches .... we did have to fabricate a couple of replacement supports which clearly worked because that boat is still in service and is fished on a regular basis

Jim

 

[ILgooseman]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

Due to rain and time of night, I will try and post up some pics this week. I really want/need some input on this. I CAN tell you this much though. The top of the decks are just aluminum plates. Underneath them is hollow and it has my flotation foam under it. They are held in by a couple welds. There are like two welds holding them in. I would have to weld some supports I believe and put in a false floor. But I will post some pics of it when I get time and it stops raining. Thanks guys!

 

[5150abf]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

I will wait for pics to make a call on your boat but when I redid mine, a Sea Nymp 16 v hull, I pulled the decks out to replace them and the hull was floppy like a gum wrapped, I would never take on the water like that.

Even though there isn't much holding them in they do connect the 2 sides of the hull giving it alot more strenth.

If you pull them just make sure you don't do anythign that isn't reversible in case it doesn't work.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

even though there isn't much holding them in they do connect the 2 sides of the hull giving it alot more strenth.

bingo!

 

[ILgooseman]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

I will wait for pics to make a call on your boat but when I redid mine, a Sea Nymp 16 v hull, I pulled the decks out to replace them and the hull was floppy like a gum wrapped, I would never take on the water like that.

Even though there isn't much holding them in they do connect the 2 sides of the hull giving it alot more strenth.

If you pull them just make sure you don't do anythign that isn't reversible in case it doesn't work.

thats what i was scared of. even if they are holding 2 sides together, when removed could a guy not weld some sort of supports at the base to compensate for the lost support when the decks were removed?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

thats what i was scared of. even if they are holding 2 sides together, when removed could a guy not weld some sort of supports at the base to compensate for the lost support when the decks were removed?

Ayuh,.... Like a metal Deck,..??

Tin boats need structure,... How it gets there can happen alotta different ways....

If ya remove structure, ya gotta figure out what's gonna replace it....

Why, do ya wanta do this,..?? There's lotsa reasons Not too....

 

[lncoop]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

Why, do ya wanta do this,..?? There's lotsa reasons Not too....

He needs room for dekes, dogs, hunters, guns et al. The decking is definitely a structural component, so if you remove that you'll have to come up with a replacement that meets your needs. Sounds like you're down with that, and if you're handy it shouldn't be an issue. Maybe you could add extra ribbing or bench seats like those in a john boat, or you could possibly put a long aluminum box or two in the center (custom or semi-custom fit of course), anything to retain the necessary rigidity. You're really only limited by what you can dream up and afford to do. You could end up with the pride of Illinois and send photos to SeaArk.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

You could also sell it and get a big john.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

You could also sell it and get a big john.

Agreed, you can't make a Hummer out of a Toyota Carolla.

I'm sure the OP could modify his boat to kinda sorta meet his needs, but he'll probably spend more time and money trying to make something work than he would if he just sold the boat and bought something bigger. If you need a boat with a lot of room, you need to buy a boat with a lot of room.

Any type of structural modifications done to this boat will more than likely reduce the resale value making the modifications even more expensive.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

Hey guys, I bought a 1994 Sea Ark aluminum all-weld fishing boat. I bought it with the intentions of duck hunting out of it because I got it at a really good price. My question is how safe would it be to take the decks out of it? How easily could it be done? I would really appreciate some help on this before I go to cutting with a hack-saw and ruin a boat.

Are talking about decks or floors? Mine is an 18' Xpress jon boat, and other than removal of the floors or the console, I don't see much I'd want to remove with a hacksaw....everything is structural!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

We need some picy pics pronto.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

Are talking about decks or floors?

Do boats even have a floor? I've never heard of anyone in the Navy having to swab the floor of a ship or boat, nor have I ever heard a call for "all hands on floor".

 

[robert graham]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

Do boats even have a floor? I've never heard of anyone in the Navy having to swab the floor of a ship or boat, nor have I ever heard a call for "all hands on floor".

Lots of jon boats have flat panels in the bottoms commonly referred to as "floors"....

 

[ILgooseman]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

Sorry guys. Been a long couple days. I haven't had time to respond and I apologize. Been busy with school work and work. I should rephrase my title of the thread. I would like to shorten them up. I have a buddy that is a shop foreman at a fab business around my town and he said he would help me. I am still trying to get pictures, but I am not home currently. The compartments on the front decks are removable. I removed them and looked under there. All my flotation foam is under there and there are supports along the bottom along with up the sides. I think I will go ahead and hunt it the way it is now and suffer through it the way it is. It won't be terrible to hunt, but it won't be the best thing ever. I can hunt 3. 2 will be comfortable and the guy in the middle won't be as comfortable. I plan on keeping this boat for awhile so I am totally fine with dumping money in it. But I will try and get pictures up when I get back. Again, I apologize for the wait. Thanks for the input guys! Appreciate!

 

[ILgooseman]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

I do believe they are structural. So my next question is. Is it still possible to remove them and weld some supports to replace the decks? I am not wanting to remove them completely. That is not my meaning. I want them SHORTENED. I should have stated that. So, I would like to shorten them up about 3 feet. Is it possible and would some supports along the bottom be adequate?

 

[5150abf]

Re: Removing decks from aluminum fishing boat

Sounds like a plan, you don't want to jack your boat up right before the season starts.

ASfter the season is over you can tear into it and if you run into a problem you will have time to fix it.