towmotor Posted May 20, 2008 Posted May 20, 2008 I know what you're thinking......"DON'T do it! Will not be anywhere near stable". But I'm not looking to add casting decks. More or less for storage/gear placement. Since the wife's nephew is "Scared of that thing", I'll be using it solo. My thought is to add a hatch over the rear cavity where the battery for the TM will be, a deck on the front with either a storage hatch or an opening for a flip-top cooler and a floor between the two benches. I'll also be adding a folding seat and swivel mount to the rear bench. So, can it (or SHOULD it) be done? Or will the added weight in a smaller boat be a problem? Towmotor. Quote
Numpty Posted May 20, 2008 Posted May 20, 2008 With the price of some pretty nice boats available.... You will still only have a 10' Jon Boat after spending time and money on it. Just my $ 0.02 Quote
towmotor Posted May 20, 2008 Author Posted May 20, 2008 Allow me to clarify..........With the amount of time I spend fishing (with having two jobs and two young kids) I WILL not justify spending more than needed on a boat. I don't need to buy a "nicer" boat just to say I have one. Especially since I'll be going solo most of the time. That being said, I'll be putting a bare minimum into the boat as supplies (ie. plywood) are quite abundant 'round here (wife's brother is a contractor) and I got the boat with TM for $50 off of a co-worker. The "upgrades" are just my way of personalizing the Jon. Just like I did with my truck, my basses (guitars, not fish), my mountain bikes........... So, I will ask again...............Can it be done? Or should I just leave it as it is? Here's your two cents back. Thanks. Quote
wareagle83 Posted May 21, 2008 Posted May 21, 2008 Yes, it most certainly "can be done". With that said, what are your exact plans for it. Are you talking about laying down some plywood for the floors to have a nice flat surface to walk upon, or are you actually building casting decks? You said you were just building them for storage, does that mean you will never be standing on them and fishing? If that's the case you could build them very very light and all would be well. But if you ever think you will want to fish from atop the decks, you will have to reinforce and support like everyone else, which does add it's fair share of weight to your boat. As far as stability, if you feel comfortable on them after your build, then by all means fish on. A 10' Jon isn't really ideal for the project but I suppose it could work like any other. What is the width of your boat- Which is the most important thing concerning your stability. Quote
Low_Budget_Hooker Posted May 21, 2008 Posted May 21, 2008 Can you? Yes SHOULD you? Absolutely not (and that's from a guy who only weighs 135 lbs,lol) The 10's are an ice skate as it is. I say keep it bare. My .02 Quote
towmotor Posted May 21, 2008 Author Posted May 21, 2008 Decks would NOT be used for casting-just for storage and to have a place to lay out my gear. Width of boat is 32" on the floor, 42" at the top. There is 6" between the top of the benches on the top of the sides. Sides are 15". Quote
Wilson Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 I don't see why everyone says not to deck it and that it is soo unstable. My 10 foot is soo stable all my gear my 2 hp johnson my trolling motor 2 seats with brackets and myself 130 lbs and my friend 160-180 lbs. and it is as stable as could be. we stand jump everything in it no worries. Quote
towmotor Posted May 22, 2008 Author Posted May 22, 2008 Yeah, but you're in Canada. Aren't things metric or something? Just playin' Quote
_tyler_wright_ Posted May 23, 2008 Posted May 23, 2008 Lol but what wilson is not saying is that his boat is freakin wide at the bottom, if i remember right. And being as the bottom of your boat is 32 inches i wouldn't even squat down on the storage compartment if you made it. As long as you are not standing on the deck or anything i say go for it. But make it light, REALLY light. Quote
Super User Gatorbassman Posted May 23, 2008 Super User Posted May 23, 2008 Get a couple of milk crates for storage. Put some lids on them and you will have a place to put your stuff on top of. If you need to remove them then you can. A 10 ft boat is very very dangerous. I wouldn't make any permanent additions to it because space to catch your balance as you fall is at a premium. Quote
Low_Budget_Hooker Posted May 24, 2008 Posted May 24, 2008 I'm 135 lbs , no big guy by any means,...extremely agile with phenomenal balance. (retired pro freestyle skier) I won't go out on a decked 10. I value my gear too much, even if it is all Low Budget. Quote
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