OLD Sears 1436 + stability question

[russ010]

I've got a lightweight Sears 1436 at my pond, but I'm looking for something I can take into electric only lakes and right now this is my cheapest option

. I've got a 6" pedestal seat mounted on the rear seat, and I've put another 6" pedestal seat in the front floor behind the bow.

This boat seems a little rickety to me when I'm out in the water, and I'm wondering if adding a floor will help it to be more stable.

Should I measure the sides from the floor to top and reply back with that measurement as well? I'm not looking to make decks, just wanting to be able to stand without the feeling I'm going to fall backwards when I set the hook!

I'll try to take some pics tonight when I get home and post them

 

[Jim]

On a 1436 I would put just the floor in anyway. It will probably make it a little more stable too because its heavier.

 

[biggun79]

i have a sears gamefosher that is 14-36 a floor is the best way i used .5 plywood it helped alot and it is moor comfotobl

 

[SlimeTime]

My 14'er is 50" at the beam & 40" at the floor. I removed a center seat & decked the entire boat with 3/4" DryPly, and the front has an elevated casting deck.

I'm 6'2" & 230(ish), and dad's 5'8(ish) & say 175 pounds. He fished from the front, on a 13" pedestal seat & me in the rear on a seat mounted to the boat seat. I have to stand-up on occasion to stretch, and with both of us in the boat, I can't say I ever felt anything "weird" or that I even noticed anything at all. Granted, out of habit I just stand in the center of the boat.

I'd use 3/4", it'll flex alot less than 1/2".

ST

 

[russ010]

Does it matter that it's really lightweight aluminum? It's not a heavy guage like my 12'er.

 

[SlimeTime]

Mine's a 1981 Monkey Wards.....not a heavier gauge boat either. I'd have to think in a lighter gauge boat you'd want the additional support of the thicker (3/4") floor.....less flex in it, less flex in the boat.

ST

 

[russ010]

so should my bracing be 2x4 or aluminum? I haven't measured the transom, but I'm pretty sure it's no deeper than 15"

 

[SlimeTime]

On the floor, I used 1"X1" hardwood stakes, as they matched the height of the floor ribs. On the casting deck I used 2"X2" because it worked-out best laying them on top top the #1 (bow) & #2 seats, I had to shim them at the rear of the #1 seat, because it ran at a bit of a downward angle. Under the casting deck, I spaced the 2-center ones each 3" on either side of centerline (making them 6" on-center) for mounting the seat pedestal to.

Aluminum will last longer, but be more costly. I believe the 14'er I have is also 15"-16" deep as well.

ST