Cheap boat

[Lures'n'Liberty]

23 hours ago, J Francho said:

Casting decks in a semi-V is disaster in the making.  Just put a flat floor in with some marine carpet.  Also consider carpeting the benches.

Now that's the kind of information that I'm looking for! Thank you, I never really thought about that. Are you basically suggesting that I keep the floor as close to the water line as possible? My initial thought would be to build a small deck from the bow to about a cooler width past the front bench, as low as possible, with a hatch that would allow access to a portable live well below and adding a flat floor throughout the rest of the boat. 

[thomas15]

Just throwing out some numbers here but assume the boat has a 600 pound weight limit. It might be more it might be less I don't know.

 

Add up the weight of two casting decks and seating strong enough to support two adults.

Add up the weight of an outboard motor, battery(s), fuel, TM and boat safety gear.

Add up the weight of approx. 10 gallons of water in each of the live wells.

Add up the weight of fishing tackle and electronics.

 

Take the total of the above and subtract that number from the boat weight limit. The number you have left is the combined allowable weight of the two fishermen.

 

If you have the desired two live wells that is over 150 pounds right there. 

[J Francho]

2 hours ago, thomas15 said:

Just throwing out some numbers here but assume the boat has a 600 pound weight limit.

 

Most 12-14' boats are much higher, like 800+ lbs.  Heck, my plastic kayak is rated for 550.  Some boats have a person weight recommendation, too. But you do want to take the additional weight into consideration.

[Lures'n'Liberty]

2 hours ago, thomas15 said:

Just throwing out some numbers here but assume the boat has a 600 pound weight limit. It might be more it might be less I don't know.

 

Add up the weight of two casting decks and seating strong enough to support two adults.

Add up the weight of an outboard motor, battery(s), fuel, TM and boat safety gear.

Add up the weight of approx. 10 gallons of water in each of the live wells.

Add up the weight of fishing tackle and electronics.

 

Take the total of the above and subtract that number from the boat weight limit. The number you have left is the combined allowable weight of the two fishermen.

 

If you have the desired two live wells that is over 150 pounds right there. 

I'm mopping up what you're spilling, too. On a small craft as the aluminum boat above, I'd venture to say that one of the 2 wells I dream of would wind up on a rope hanging over the side of the boat. My other wouldn't have to be huge, just big enough to keep enough bait for a night of flathead fishing alive. We'll say 60 lbs for the livewell and if I can find the right chunk of aluminum for the deck/floors, including carpet I may be able to keep the weight of construction well under 50 lbs. Figuring another 20 lbs per fisherman for gear to make it even, that leaves 450 lbs for 2 fishermen and a motor. I weigh about 170 and most of my fishing buddies are tiny, so If I never bring anyone bigger than me I've got 110 lbs left for motors, fuel,  batteries, and accessories.