building deck on top of original seats?

[mikelaba1]

First time poster here I'm sure this subject has been beat to death and also first time boat owner I picked up my first 15' Grumman Jon boat and would like to add a lot to it but maybe in need of some pointers I'd like to have a back and a front casting deck with a deeper middle for storage but wanted to know if I could build over the factory seats? I will only have a 6.5 Johnson engine that's not mounted yet but would like any input. Thanks.

 

[mikelaba1]

I think after reading further posts I'm going to try to use 2 x 2 sand them seal them and use joist hangers and keep the factory seats in there to so I'm ruining the structural integrity of the boat.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Can't tell from the photo if your seat tops are plywood and removable or if they are integral with the mounting structure. If they (the seat tops) are removable, you could take the off and use the framing/mounting structure as part of the framing for your deck. That would eliminate a bit of weight as opposed to leaving the seat tops in and decking over them.

 

[mikelaba1]

The seats are aluminum and I think I could cut then out easily but would it ruin the structure I'll give more photos on the seats and underneath. And ya weight was a factor I was thinking of as well.

 

[minuteman62-64]

If the seat tops are aluminum you wouldn't gain much weight advantage taking them off. I'd just deck over the seats and they'd provide part of your framing.

 

[mrdrh99]

I did what you're thinking about with the joist hangers but with 2x4s.... I'm a big guy

 

[mgros483]

+1 on the joist hangers, you can see how I used them on my build thread. I used the original seats as a base also.