Do I Really Need to Carpet My Jon Boat Deck?

[VaMushroomHunter]

Hey folks,

I have a Tracker Topper 1436 jon boat that I want to use with a bow-mount trolling motor, so I'm planning to affix a small plywood deck to the front bench, with the end extending maybe a foot out and braced by 2x2s.  A fourteen-foot jon boat only three feet wide doesn't strike me as as providing a stable enough platform for a casting deck, so I don't intend to ever use it as such- its sole purpose will be to support a couple of 2x4s stacked together so I can affix the trolling motor mount.  Do I really need to go through the expense and hassle of carpeting this deck?  I care about functionality and durability, aesthetics not so much.  Could I get away with just painting the plywood?  I hope to eventually build a carport to shelter the boat, but for now it will be sitting in the weather.

[redmexican5081]

Check out YouTube for the DIY trolling motor bow mount bracket.  The guy makes it out of some aluminum and pop rivits.  He does add an additional stabilizer in a later video.  No need to worry about carpet or potential rot with the wooden deck/supports going this route.

DIY Bow mount trolling motor bracket for a Jon Boat / Alumacraft 1236

[Crestliner2008]

Just about every home store has a version of "Rhino-Coat" which can be painted on. Had the entire insides of my Crestliner done with this stuff. Waterproof and easy to clean and slip resistant.

[Catt]

Just my personal opinion go with aluminum, weld it, & be done with it.

The first picture shows trolling motor bracket & deck extension.

 

My Alweld aint carpeted ?

 

[Scott F]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

Just my personal opinion go with aluminum, weld it, & be done with it.

The first picture shows trolling motor bracket & deck extension.

 

My Alweld aint carpeted ?

 

This the way I went.  A trolling motor will put a lot of stress on wood and I wouldn’t be confident the mount would stay secure. 

[Catt]

20 minutes ago, Scott F said:

This the way I went.  A trolling motor will put a lot of stress on wood and I wouldn’t be confident the mount would stay secure. 

 

Mine is built out of 1/8" aluminum, welded in place, the trolling motor is bolted on with 3/8" CRES bolts, the nuts are installed with Loctite.

 

It may cost a little more but I'm one & done!

 

Down here it'll add to the resale value!

[tander]

Agree with everyone, go with aluminum trolling motor bracket and do it one time and be through with it, don't bother with carpet.

[Way2slow]

The only thing carpet does is sound deadening. Move around or drop a weight or something in a tin can and that noise carries a very long way in water.  Now, if you feel fish aren't spooked when they hear those noises, then no, you don't need any kind of sound deadening.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

I vote carpet. Sound goes a looong way, and you don't want to spook the fish before you get to them. 

 

I built a deck and carpeted mine, nice and quiet. Use pressure treated wood and outdoor carpet and you can get a couple years out of it.

[Troy85]

5 hours ago, NittyGrittyBoy said:

I vote carpet. Sound goes a looong way, and you don't want to spook the fish before you get to them. 

 

I built a deck and carpeted mine, nice and quiet. Use pressure treated wood and outdoor carpet and you can get a couple years out of it.

But if you spook the fish, you don't have to worry about bent hooks!  Just think of the money you could save! ?

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Aw man got trolled over here in the boating section. ?

[Log Catcher]

Catt got it right. Go with aluminum. It may cost a little more but you won't have to worry about having to redo it every few years. Also like Crestliner 2008 idea about the Rhino Coat in the boat.

[Troy85]

16 hours ago, NittyGrittyBoy said:

Aw man got trolled over here in the boating section. ?

Haha.  I just couldn't help myself.

 

As far as the trolling motor mount.  I've always had them made out of aluminum and its never given me any problems.

 

If you do end up using wood, I'd paint the plywood until you get the boat under some shelter.  The sun is rough on carpet when its beating down on it day in and day out.

[Way2slow]

I don't usually get into these home construction projects because there are a ton of suggestions and ways that it can be done. 

However this time I will suggest you follow the recommendations on using aluminum, especially since you are only working with a 14' boat.   Aluminum is going to make a much stronger and lighter deck than 2x's and plywood. 

Yes, it's going to cost a little more to purchase some aluminum bracing and a sheet of piece of 16ga flat for the deck.  With proper bracing, 16ga is more than strong enough.  For bracing, you can use angle or box and it does not have to be large massive pieces, you are looking at few pieces no more than a couple feet long.   Use 3/16 pop rivets or aluminum rivets you flatten with a hammer with washers on the crimped side, screws have a tendency to rip out over time

Should mention, don't use pop rivets any place close to or below the water line, they leak.

 

It's really not much more expensive that wood, and If you are on a tight fishing budget, just hold off and few day doing it and buy a little at the time.

[Fishing Rhino]

Pressure treated wood, and aluminum don't always play nicely together.

[BurritoBoiii]

Pressure treated wood eats aluminum. Use normal plywood and seal it.