Adding a front deck question

[ScowardNJ]

If you are on Facebook, join the Tiny Boat Nation group. Endless amount of information about decking and modifying small boats there.

[bulletbob]

Not a big fan of "add on" decks personally as the boats often aren't designed for them... I just removed the one that was in my Grumman.. Very stout and well built, but hundreds of pounds, of framing, plywood over the framing, seat with pedestal etc really upset the balance and the boat is much better now, sits higher in the water as it should and doesn't plow as much. a LOT less spray over the bow..

It depends on what type of fishing you do I suppose.. Add ons have to be well designed, and light, . If not, they could cause a lot of problems... In small calm lakes where you are not running at speed through rough water, not as much of a problem, but i have seen a lot of boats way too nose heavy due to well constructed, but poorly balanced front casting platforms, added on to open style boats... bob

[Godrew1972]

thanks for the opinions, i think I will leave it alone.
just get a better seat.

[skippy]

I have 1990 14.5 foot StarCraft, which when I bought it in 2000 it had three bench seats. I removed the middle one, decked over the rear and front ones with 3/4 plywood. Also added decking to the middle, where the third bench seat was. Put reinforced seat holders in and added two high fishing seats. Bought a new 2000 Evinrude 9.9 four stroke and have been fishing off of it ever since. It is very stable, it is not tippy at all and you can easily fish 3 guys from it, but I prefer only 2. Hope this helps.