Lo Decking a 10' Jon

[jbrwr]

I've got a 10' Jon and have read don't do this and don't do that decking a 10'.  How would you recommend low decking a 10' Jon? Thanks, J

[Wayne P.]

I had one that I bought in 1972 and sold it last year. The only decking I installed was a small one on the bow at gunnel level to mount a foot controlled trolling motor and sonar units. I did put a sheet aluminum floor attached to the ribs between the middle seat and front seat to have a flat place to use the foot control. The rest of the floor, I just glued boat carpet on to lessen the noise factor. I mounted the seats to the middle and rear tank seats.

I was standing up fishing one time at a timber filled lake, flipping some stumps, and bumped into a stump, fell out, lost my glasses, had to drive home half blind. Now I carry an extra pair of glasses in all my vehicles, LOL

Low is the way to go.

[Certified Public Angler]

I'm modifying a 1232 jon boat right now and I am hesitant to put a casting deck on the front. When I have taken the boat out it just seems like it would not be stable enough, especially if there were 2 people in it.

What I decided to do is just install a floor level carpeted deck, it only raises 2 inches above the bottom of the boat. I am also going to install seats on 1 foot mounts, this way the seats almost serve as a bass butt seat, just enough support to not fall off and fish practically standing up.  I'm just too worried about falling off and losing my gear.

[Wayne P.]

jbrwr, I have suggested this before for other projects. There is an easy test to help you judge whether or not to install a raised deck. Put your boat on the water, wear something you don't mind getting wet. Stand on the top of the middle tank seat and move from side to side, do the same on the back tank seat, and the front bow seat. If you are comfortable with the stabilbiy it MAY be OK.  Do some similated violent hook sets in the direction you will be facing when fishing. If you plan on having another angler fishing with you, invite them to participate in the test with both of you standing on the tanks seats. Wear your life jacket.

[jbrwr]

Thanks for the replies Wayne and Roseangler.   I do plan on low decking the boat at a height 2-4" off the floor, enough to clear the support and to have something a bit more solid to stand on.  I also want to keep the center of gravity as low as possible as I like the little bit of stability the 10' has and don't want less. If there's any more advice pls let me know. J

[J_Zink]

I recently low decked a 12ft semi-V I purchased.  It's a narrow 36" wide bottom.  I installed a floor base plate for a pedestal seat at about mid-ship a little behind the previous location of the center seat which I removed.

It's still tippy.

I wouldn't think of attempting to fish any sort of aggressive fishing styles like flippin which would require a fast and violent hookset.  I'll end up in the drink.  ;D

It's OK fishing out of the seat but I notice the instability the higher I raise the pedestal.

BTW,  to replace the foam I lost by removing the center seat I shot about 10-12 cans of the foam under the new floor along the sides.  It not only provides flotation but also helps deaden sound.

[jbrwr]

That's alot of foam J_zink.  I ended up building drop in sections of deck on the front and in the middle of the boat.  I used  3/4 x 1 1/2" cedar and 1/3" ply and am very happy with the weight, it's very light.  The pine weighed about 2x as much as the cedar, and the 1/2" ply I initially was considering was a bit heavy too.  Once you support the 1/3" ply it's more than adequate for my weight,  I'm 175lbs.  I still have to seal the decking with thompsons.  Thanks for the replies and I'll post pics soon.  J

[J_Zink]

Like 14 - 16 cans of that spray foam.   ;D

It was the most expensive part of the whole boat redo project.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I've got a 10' Jon and have read don't do this and don't do that decking  a 10'.  How would you recommend low decking a 10' Jon?   Thanks, J

Not to be discouraging, but I wouldn't.  I won't add anything to a 10, a 12 is a different story, but not a 10.

[Grey Wolf]

I've got a 10' Jon and have read don't do this and don't do that decking a 10'. How would you recommend low decking a 10' Jon? Thanks, J

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[done]

"It was the most expensive part of the whole boat redo project. "

- LOL I can imagine!

As everyones ability to endure instability differs, I would try the test offered up by the guys here to go out with something you can get wet and get the feel for what you can tolerate. Be good if you also try it in an area where you can pick up some wake and see how that feels.

I know for my 1436, I can stand and cast no problem with one of my buds. But take my grandfather out, the boat rocks even the slightest and he is heading overboard, even when sitting down on the built in bench. Which is why you see some guys here talking even of a 12' or 14' decking going well, while others will tell you never to even attempt it.  

The other thing, when yo do your "test", be sure to balance out your results with your average BAC while fishing. I never mix drinking and fishing. However, there are plenty of folks who will have a few while out there. So if you are out there sober during your test and it is tricky to stay in. Keep in mind with a nice buzz your ability to stay upright and dry may be impaired.

[jbrwr]

I'd like to thank everyone for their replies and thanks for the caution guys, but I'm keeping it as light and as low as possible. Totally agree with you all  and realize there are some limitations you can not over come without going larger. When building this I used as much carpenters glue as possible and no more hardware than necessary constructing the drop in decking; it is very lightweight. This far, I'm happy with the price and weight of the project. I also stay sober on the water, I want to make to shore alive. I'll let you know how it handles on the water. J