Building a rear casting deck

[Chad K]

I would like to build a rear casting deck in my 1990 Sylvan Pro fisherman and was wondering if anyone has tried this before on a similar boat. If you could give me some ideas or tips that would be helpful any web sites that have pictures for ideas would also be helpful. Can a guy cut the splashwell down to get more room or would it be better not to mess with that.
Thanks
Chad

[180FH]

Common sense is the rule, as usual. I've built rear decks on 2 glass boats and both looked factory (match the carpet) and worked great. Make sure you're supported port/starboard & fore/aft with good decking, I used 1/2" treated and tripled it to match my boat's reveal on other hatches...added seat mount, power point and LCR mount and hook-up. Important to consider....room for uninhibited movement of motor and tilt. My current deck spans over the splashwell and is 6' by 30"...it rests on the head of the splashwell and is supported by welded brackets up off of the rear transom. Just use your head and think it thru..it can be a rewarding project.
One thing I absolutely would not do is alter the splashwell or internal structure at all..I think you'd be asking for trouble on that one. lol

[Tom P]

I put full decks in a custom jet jon boat I built. I used marine grade plywood and coated it with resin on top and the sides. I also used T-6 aluminum angles for the bracing and SS rivets for the attachment to the hulls internal bracing.

[snaggletooth]

Tom,

Where did you get the aluminum angle ?
Can you recall the approximate price for that stuff ?
I have a trailer project that some 1 inch x 1 inch x 1/8 inch thick aluminum angle would do nicely.

Chuck

[fshrman]

Everything stated sounds good. The only thing I can add is take into consideration the extra weight you add. Whatever your boat is rated for now you should subtract what you add. Sounds like a nice project. Good Luck

[davef]

chuck i did something similar but what i used for angle was a section of an aluminum extension ladder i cut up. i bought the whole section at a scrap yadrs for a dollar or so and just cut up what i needed and kept the rest for any later projects. sure was cheaper than buying custom cut pieces. the main runners are a section that looks like an H and uou can cut it any way you want. dave

[Pitts]

I have a homemade rear deck for my 1775 skeeter which uses both rear pedastal seat mounts.
Basically a sheet of 3/4" plywood with 2 solid seat pedastals mounted to it the same spacing as the 2 back seat bases and it rests on the front lip of the splashwell by about a 6" overhang.
Solid and locked in place just move one of the seats you displaced with the platform to on top of the platform in a base attached there.

Simple design, sturdy and locked in place.



Pitts

[Tom P]

I am in Minneapolis, There is a place called Discount Aluminum. The stuff I bought was new aluminum angle. They sell it by the pound. If you don't live in Minneapolis , look in the Yellow Pages and find a discount seller. Look under all different headings , scrape, metal, aluminum and steel. Make sure it is T-6 Grade