Newbie Question

[samgann93]

Hey everyone.! My name is Sam. I live in california, 17 years old and am really into fishing. I fish the saltwater bays for spotted bay bass and croaker a lot! I would like to start joining some tournaments so i need a boat. I am mainly looking into a Gregor aluminum 14ft that i would like to put a deck on. I don't even know the basics of boat modifying but i pick things up quickly and am a perfectionist when it comes to projects such as this.

Idea for boat:
From the middle bench up is where i would like the deck to cover. I like to stand when i fish so i will not be putting a seat upfront on the deck. I will be placing a Minn Kota trolling motor upfront. I also would like a pretty big livewell which i am more than okay with taking up a lot of deck space.

Any recommendations to specific projects to look at would be greatly appreciated. Also i am confused on what type of wood to use. I have heard marine plywood but i heard that was bad for aluminum boats. Also how does the frame of the deck attach to the boat? How much is a deck going to cost (i know price wont be exact, but after wood, sealant, etc). What is the best way to put a livewell in? Would the saltwater from the bays be a large factor in using certain materials vs others?

I will have a lot of questions but will definitely start posting pictures once my project begins. !!!

Thanks so much,
Sam Gann

 

[Jim]

:WELCOME: sam!

I like the enthusiasm.Post up some pictures so we can see the boat. From there we can point you in the right direction,

 

[Bugpac]

what he :arrow: JIM said..

 

[samgann93]

I will as soon as i buy it. Looking for a good deal. Hopefully within the next 2 weeks i will get one. i have the cash just waiting for the right boat!

 

[Zum]

Don't rush your buy,get what you like,not only afford.
Waiting abit longer maybe you'll find exactly what you want,plus have alittle more money to boot.
You don't want to second guess your buy a month down the road.
Welcome to the site.

 

[samgann93]

Hey no rushing here. Like i said just waiting for the right one.

Before i get the boat i was hoping some of the questions could be answered just for the layout in mind. Thanks guys!

 

[Brine]

Welcome aboard.

To answer some of your questions...

Take a look at all the builds in the mod page. Each is unique and even if the finished product isn't exactly what you're after, there may be a portion of the build you'd like to replicate.

Marine plywood is not bad for aluminum boats. It's heavy and expensive compared to regular exterior plywood that you've sealed yourself with a spar urethane. "Pressure treated" wood is a no-no with aluminum.

How the frame attaches to the hull depends on a multitude of things. There are numerous ways to accomplish this. My suggestion is to look at all of the build to get some insight on what may work best for the type of boat you're looking for.

Price out a sheet of exterior plywood in the thickness you need, a quart or gallon of urethane, whatever product you choose to go over the deck (carpet/nonskid paint/ etc...) stainless steel fasteners, and all the material needed for the frame and you'll have a good idea of what it will cost. Too many variables to give a price. Once you've decided how to frame it, you will be able to determine a budget.

The best way to put a livewell in will again depend on your hull and your needs. I used a $49 120qt cooler from Walmart for 3 years of tournament fishing and it worked great. For my new boat, I'm using an $80 40 gallon water tank. You can buy an all aluminum livewell for $250 bucks or so. The cooler was designed to be removable and was not "built-in". The water tank will be, and I'm framing it in.

I don't have experience with saltwater, but I would be in the habit of washing off the boat and trailer after every trip. Knowing that you will be in salt, I would pay extra attention to the condition of the hull when determining which boat to buy and ensure there isn't already pitting or corrosion going on.

Good luck.

 

[samgann93]

Thanks!

I think I'm gonna buy a polyurethane bait tank / livewell. A small one that can be mounted. Deck will be all for storage and battery compartments. I believe I'm gonna just use normal wood and have it sealed. I heard a fiberglass resign is the best bet? I will have to look at my options. Im very good with cleaning my gear after use in saltwater and the boat will be no different.

One main thing im still confused on is how the actual deck will attach. Ive looked at many of the projects on the site and still am a little lost. is it drilled into the hull? Im very skeptical about putting holes in the boat. haha.

Thanks,
Sam

 

[Brine]

Most framing starts by attaching to the ribs, not the hull.

 

[redphysher]

One tip I can give. Is get the widest boat you can afford. If you are decking the boat get at least a 48in bottom or bigger. If you are bay fishing, depending on the wave action a 56in might not be out of the question. Whatever you do. Do not deck a 32-36in bottom boat. I have a 32 in Delhi riveted boat that HAD a deck on it. After I almost got a wet butt from a wave. I tore it all out. I did not install the deck I bought the boat with it in place. Look at the post to deck or not to deck.