14' Jon Boat

[CrustyMono]

I finally found a decent boat with a trailer! I want to add a cast in g deck. The picture is what I want it to resemble. I don't want the tall chair, as I stand most of the time. I wan to put a Minn Kota Powerdrive 48" Shaft, 45 pound thrust motor in the front, and a 45 pound thrust endure c2 in the transom. Will this work in small lakes? 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Yes it will work

I had the same boat once with 30# tm and 5hp on the rear. Used in 40-320acre lakes.

[Way2slow]

personally, I wouldn't have it.  Heavy and looks like it would be almost like standing in a canoe trying to fish. 

[iabass8]

it will work but depending on the width, it will be very tipsy. adding a casting deck to anything less than a 1648 jon boat seems silly. 

[Master Bait'r]

24 minutes ago, iabass8 said:

adding a casting deck to anything less than a 1648 jon boat seems silly. 

 

Not if you can't afford a 1648!  Think of it as a really big stand up paddle board with a motor.  Those square bow/flat bottom jons are less tippy than you'd think.  

 

OP, yes you can make it work but I'm not sure I'd go any higher than the seat tops w the casting deck.  Also if you go light with the frame and use 2# 50/50 2-part closed cell foam underneath you will have a super solid platform and save a bunch of weight.  Doubly if you know a welder and can have him put in aluminum floor joists for you.  

 

 

[CrustyMono]

2 hours ago, Master Bait'r said:

OP, yes you can make it work but I'm not sure I'd go any higher than the seat tops w the casting deck.  Also if you go light with the frame and use 2# 50/50 2-part closed cell foam underneath you will have a super solid platform and save a bunch of weight.

What is the 2# 50/50?

 

[Master Bait'r]

21 minutes ago, CrustyMono said:

What is the 2# 50/50?

 

It is 2lb density closed-cell foam.  It's for flotation and safety but it's also super rigid.  It comes in two separate chemicals that are liquid, you mix them and it blows out into a foam and fills crazy space.  It's like "great stuff" on steroids.

 

It can allow you to use a lighter gauge floor plywood and still get a really sturdy, safe floor. 

[CrustyMono]

Just now, Master Bait'r said:

 

It is 2lb density closed-cell foam.  It's for flotation and safety but it's also super rigid.  It comes in two separate chemicals that are liquid, you mix them and it blows out into a foam and fills crazy space.  It's like "great stuff" on steroids.

 

It can allow you to use a lighter gauge floor plywood and still get a really sturdy, safe floor. 

Awesome, so i would make a deck out of 1/2 inch plywood and fill the extra space with the foam?

 

[Master Bait'r]

If you get someone to weld in 1"X1" floor joists on the hull support bands, you can go even lighter.  I think the last boat I did had 11/32 non PT ply.  Once the foam was under it she was sturdy as could be and still very light. Just try the foam first and don't try to do too much at once.  It is really powerful stuff while it's expanding.  

[CrustyMono]

3 minutes ago, Master Bait'r said:

If you get someone to weld in 1"X1" floor joists on the hull support bands, you can go even lighter.  I think the last boat I did had 11/32 non PT ply.  Once the foam was under it she was sturdy as could be and still very light. Just try the foam first and don't try to do too much at once.  It is really powerful stuff while it's expanding.  

how expensive would making a deck that way be? I really want to make it sturdy but inexpensive, I saw a kid on youtube who made a deck in the front and back. it was about three inches below the top of the boat. In the middle, the deck was six inches lower. They were able to make a  rod locker. is this possible?

[Master Bait'r]

It depends!  I'm a welder so it cost materials...  Very cheap.   

 

If if you only have expensive welders around it could be a couple hundred bucks.  The same concepts can be applied with wood though.  Try to think in terms of cabinet making...  Enough forethought and design consideration and anything is possible!  Rod locker, tackle tray storage, hidden battery trays, live wells...  You name it you can have it if you can figure out how to make it right!

 

The foam for a deck that size would likely be $50-60.  

[CrustyMono]

1 minute ago, Master Bait'r said:

It depends!  I'm a welder so it cost materials...  Very cheap.   

 

If if you only have expensive welders around it could be a couple hundred bucks.  The same concepts can be applied with wood though.  Try to think in terms of cabinet making...  Enough forethought and design consideration and anything is possible!  Rod locker, tackle tray storage, hidden battery trays, live wells...  You name it you can have it if you can figure out how to make it right!

 

The foam for a deck that size would likely be $50-60.  

Thank you very much for your input, can i dm you my plan as of now?

[Master Bait'r]

14 minutes ago, CrustyMono said:

Thank you very much for your input, can i dm you my plan as of now?

 

Please do!  I love that kind of stuff!!

[CrustyMono]

Just now, Master Bait'r said:

 

Please do!  I love that kind of stuff!!

I'm on it, with just this conversation, you are saving me lots of time. i am truly grateful. let me know if i can do anything!

[fishnkamp]

From your posting so far I am not sure if you have purchased the boat you are looking to get or not. If you are going to make something out  of a 14 footer then make sure it is a 14 foot long 48 inch wide hull if not I would forget standing up on a front deck to fish in such a narrow boat as say a 1440.  In a 40 inch wide hull measured across the bottom there will not be enough stability.  If you look at the picture of this Tracker Grizzly Tracker Marine has put in enough ribs, a mod V front end and the exact front deck you want.  Be aware they did it on the WIDE body hull. Here is a picture of what I mean.