Casting deck question

[WestMichiganBass]

I have a small aluminum v-hull boat that was given to me. I've been contemplating weither I should put a casting deck on it or just let it sit. I am concerned with strength and stability.

Will the higher center of gravity cause issues? Is there a way I could tell the center of gravity on the boat is to high or not. How stabile are these things? Im a big guy BTW like 6'2 285 lbs would that affect stability.

Thanks in advance 

 

 

[Catt]

Depends on if you like getting wet or not?

Raising the center of gravity will cause smaller boats of any hull type to become tipsy!

[Junk Fisherman]

I did with a narrow 14' V many years ago.  It was tippy but as long as I stood still, it was fine.  Definitely better IMO than bench seats.  Caught hundreds of fish in that little boat.  A buddy I sold it to tore it out since he didn't like it,  

[Fishin' Pilot]

Go check out the forums at TinBoats.net.  There are tons of conversions listed, and there is a wealth of info over there for a project like this.  

Here is the link directly to the v-bottom / jon boat conversion forum:  http://forum.tinboats.net/viewforum.php?f=21&sid=d256e068baf12cfceb960a313e5d220d

Good Luck!

[Tygaiser7]

I had 12 foot mod v aluminum boat the I built a deck on the front half. Made it as high as the benches. It worked well. Wasn't to unstable but takes a little getting used to. I loved it tho. Made fishing out of it much more enjoyable

[Catt]

7 hours ago, Fishin' Pilot said:

Go check out the forums at TinBoats.net.  There are tons of conversions listed, and there is a wealth of info over there for a project like this.  

Here is the link directly to the v-bottom / jon boat conversion forum:  http://forum.tinboats.net/viewforum.php?f=21&sid=d256e068baf12cfceb960a313e5d220d

Good Luck!

What there aint none here?

Boat stability has nothing to do with length; it has everything to do with width!

[NinjaAbassin]

I did it on my 10' fiberglass boat v hull and had absolutely no problems. Never felt tippy and also stood with another person on board. The wood will add more weight so just be aware of that. Plus another poster above me couldn't of said it better the width is what matters not length and don't measure the floor of the boat since your platform won't be on the floor measure the bench seats width because most likely your deck will be on top of that. I was able to walk, jump and land fish on my casting deck in total the width of the deck measured 50" and it was completely removable no holes, no screws, no bolts in the boat. Good luck show finished product if you do it! ?

[WestMichiganBass]

If I remember right the deck would be 5'x7' I'm thinking 5 foot should be wide enough?

 

[NinjaAbassin]

1 hour ago, WestMichiganBass said:

If I remember right the deck would be 5'x7' I'm thinking 5 foot should be wide enough?

 

5'x7' seems like a pretty large deck. But yea 5' wide should be plenty! People stand on 32" and 36" Jon boats so I don't see a 60" wide deck being a problem. 

[WestMichiganBass]

Well the boats 5' wide and I was planning on using the middle row to the front for a deck. A good park of the boat would be deck 

[NinjaAbassin]

Yea that should be more than enough room. Post pics when completed. ??

[WestMichiganBass]

Also I concerned with the strength of the boat. I know it'll float but the sides seem weak like I can grab them and wiggle them a little bit. Would this mean the boats to weak for this? I can't tell you how old it is, just that its old

[NinjaAbassin]

The sides shouldn't really matter. My fiberglass boat is the same. Sides flex about an 1" or 2. Main area of concern I would imagine is the seats the deck sits on and the actual design of the casting deck you build (brace points). People have been making decks on the 1032 Jon boats and those are some really thing aluminum boats. I think you should be fine.