Here's another really nice custom jon boat project that was recently undertaken by one of our readers. I really like the under deck front storage opening idea, and the carpeting job on this one looks great. The details are below (thanks, Mike). You can click on the pics for larger versions.
"My wife and I relocated from Northern Indiana to Georgia 3-1/2 years ago and discovered that our Polar Kraft 168SC was only "legal" on the large reservoirs that were quite a drive and have a lot of recreational traffic, so we suddenly found ourselves only fishing a couple of times a year rather than every weekend that weather permitted. There are, however, a number of smaller reservoirs close to us that are either total electric or 10 hp restricted. I started thinking about putting together a boat to fish those waters 2 years ago.
We fish mainly bluegill and crappie so that's how we set up the boat. Last winter we purchased a 1648 Alumacraft MV and went to work. We are running 2 deep cycle batteries in the center seat and starter battery in the stern, with a Minn Kota 3 bank charger. If we keep fish we either use a fish basket or cooler, so there is no livewell. We either run a Honda 9.9 electric start 4-stroke or a 55-lb Minn Kota transom mount trolling motor. We have really enjoyed the boat and fishing every weekend again."
How did u build deck
Posted by: Tim | October 31, 2013 at 08:27 PM
Tim - I don't have any specifics on how this exact deck was built since the pics were submitted by one of our site readers. It does appear to be very similar in construction to my jon boat, and I have included the specifcs of it below:
The front raised deck was made with 3/4" PT plywood and carpeted. Same carpet attachment method as the rear deck. It is made flush with the middle bench seat and supported up front by a 36" piece of 1/8" L-angle aluminum (1.5" wide) that is bolted to the dropped down aluminum of the very front raised bow again using (5) #12 x 1.5" SS screws up front. The rear has (2) 10" pieces of the same L-angle aluminum spaced to either side of the livewell on the front side of the bench seat and attached the same way, just utilizing 2 screws each.
It was a bit of a chore cutting around and especially carpeting all the little notches required to clear the welded structural brackets on the front of the boat. I thought it turned out pretty well though. The really hard part was trying to make certain that all the attached L-angle stayed level not only from side to side, but also from front to back. That raised deck spans 48" front to back and another 53+" to either side. I'm considering adding a couple more L-angle brackets for more support on either side of the boat/deck. The other option is a vertical piece of the 3/4" PT plywood under the main floor and attached to the bottom of the deck and probably one of the welded raised brackets.
It has a 4x4 post centrally located underneath for added support with aluminum L-angle on the sides. The deck was then screwed into the aluminum brackets using the 1/4 x 20 2.5" stainless screws. I also added the front storage lid. Inside I installed a flat floor with carpeting.
See also:
https://bigindianabass.com/big_indiana_bass/boat_project/
https://bigindianabass.com/big_indiana_bass/boat_project/page/2/
Posted by: Big Indiana Bass | November 01, 2013 at 10:20 AM