Advice Needed. Easy Way To Convert Boat Into Bass Boat

[GaryCrankbait]

I am trying to convert a cheap aluminum boat into a bass boat with a standing deck on it. Was wondering what type of boat woulf work best. Flat bottom/ shallow V/ Deep V / Jon boat? etc. Want to build a deck on it to stand on is my purpose. Any thing advice will help.

[jhoffman]

wider better... tinboats.net

[EmersonFish]

I can't tell you what's best. They all have their advantages/disadvantages. If you are trying to keep it cheap, it might come down to what kind of boat you can get a good deal on. jhoffman is right, however; you'll be glad you got something a little wider. If you are gong to fish on a lake where there are a lot of big boats and traffic, a little flat-bottom might be a sketchy out there.

 

Tinboats.net is a lot of fun to look at. Their are a countless boat projects people have put on the forum there, where they go through the build step by step. They have them broken down by V-Hulls and Jon Boats.

 

Another cool thing to do is look around Google for Small Japanese Bass Boats. Over there, they have narrow roads, high priced gas, small lakes, and small tow vehicles; so they tend to use small bass boats. You can see some really cool looking bass boats that just look like little 12'-14' v-hulls or jon boats converted over. Those boats will get you fired up about building your own.

[Scott F]

If you are looking for the easiest way, that is to buy a used boat someone else has already done all the work on.

[Fishing Rhino]

Flat bottom.  Put a raised deck on a small round bottom boat, and you're looking to take an unscheduled swim should you stray too far from the centerline.  I've had to fish a couple of folks from the pond when one tried to take a leak over the side of the boat, and it did not have a raised deck.

 

Your best bet once you get a boat is to do a temporary install of a raised deck.  Doesn't have to be pretty, just steady.  Then float the boat in shallow water, and move around on the deck to get an idea of its stability.

 

If it's satisfactory to you, then proceed with the project.  If it's not satisfactory, you've saved yourself a lot of work, and money.

[Bladesmith,]

I have and use 2 different 14 ft. aluminum boats. 1 is a deep "V" for bigger water (it is definitely more stable on rough water) and the other is a flat bottom. Both have casting decks with storage lockers under the decks. I use a portable live well (Bait Ben) which I transfer from boat to boat and I use the same 15 HP Evinrude on both boats. The flat bottom is better in shallower water and the motor pushes it faster. They both have their strong points and disadvantages. It depends upon what kind of water you are going to spend most of your time fishing. I made both the conversions myself which wasn't difficult to do.