Started Decking and Mods on 14' Aluminum V-Hull

[bucketmouth8]

Built a deck for the bow, a new floor for the center, and a brand new bow mount trolling motor.  Here are my pics SO FAR.  

This is what the bow looked like before I covered it.

[bucketmouth8]

I then used cardboard to make a template of the bow to transfer to 5/8" plywood which i coated in fiberglass resin.  

[bucketmouth8]

Another view.

[bucketmouth8]

Here is the deck cut out and coated in fiberglass resin "jelly".  I would not recommend using this stuff as it is messy and hard to work with.  On the center floor I used the liquid fiberglass resin and it worked great.  

[bucketmouth8]

Here the deck is carpeted and my pedestal seat mount is installed.  I had to raise the mount with 1" aluminum square tubing so my pedestal would not hit the top of my boat bench.  I did not want to put a hole in the bench so this is the best I could come up with.  

[bucketmouth8]

Here the deck is installed and my seat is in.  I used 2"x2" boards for bracing on the underside of the deck.  I coated those in thompson's water sealer as well as the complete underside of the deck.

[bucketmouth8]

Next I wanted to put a new center floor in my boat.  The old floor was v-shaped and the original carpet was beginning to come up.  

[bucketmouth8]

I transferred all my measurements to 5/8" plywood and began to cut it out.  I then coated the plywood in liquid fiberglass resin.  

[bucketmouth8]

This is what I used to waterproof the top of the deck.  I used thompson's water seal on the bottom and braced it with 1x2 boards.  

[bucketmouth8]

I used 2" polystyrene foam insulation doubled up to make my floor level before putting my carpet covered plywood in the boat.  The foam is super dense and extremely light weight adding flotation as well as stability to the plywood.

[bucketmouth8]

Another pic of the floor.  I used indoor/outdoor carpet from Menards for the entire project so far.

[bucketmouth8]

This is where things got out of control.  I just had to have a new bow mount trolling motor.  So, against my wifes wishes, I went to Wal-Mart and got a new Minn Kota PowerDrive 40 for the front of my boat.  I have a 32lb transom mount but another motor would be better?  I had my brother make me a plate for the front to mount the new motor on out of two 1/8" pieces of aluminum welded together and bolted to the bow.  

[bucketmouth8]

I am going to put the quick release plate on here when I can get to Cabelas and buy it so I can take the motor off when traveling.

[bucketmouth8]

I'll also carpet this aluminum plate later on when I put on the quick release bracket.  

[bucketmouth8]

I still need to get an inline fuse for the trolling motor and a new battery to put under the front deck before I take a break for a little bit.  We still have lots of ice on the lakes here in Nebraska so I have a another month or so before I can take it out and fish.  I'll keep you posted on any more mods.  Thanks for looking at my post.

[backpain...]

Looks great! Keep us posted on how it works out for you.

[DocHoliday]

Great job dude looks awesome I always wanted to do that with my alum. maybe after I finish my fiberglass boat.

Doc

[flipin4bass]

Man, you got it goin on. Looking forward to seeing the finish product.

[Dean]

Lookin sweet man, lookin sweet ;D

[SissySticks]

How did you support the middle floor section under the plywood?

[bucketmouth8]

I supported the floor with 2" foam insualtion doubled up down the center of the boat.

[bucketmouth8]

I also used 1x2" wood treated with Thompson's Water Seal to strengthen the floor.

[bucketmouth8]

Here is the Minn Kota quick release trolling motor bracket I got from Cabelas for $40.

[bucketmouth8]

Another look at the motor with the quick release bracket installed.  This was a must have.

[bucketmouth8]

Next is wiring and building a battery box under the floor of the bow.