TMO8413
Member
I've always had a 12 or 14ft tinny as a kid growing up. This past summer (after going about 10 years without one), I bought a 14ft Mirrocraft on Craigslist for $700 (trailer, too!) - the deal was so good I could not pass it up.
However, I since have a wife and my bestfriend (my dog) that I want to bring with me fishing as well. I originally wanted a 14ft boat that had some type of decking or floor so my family and friends and I could maneuver easily around the boat. This boat just has the three bench seats and is extremely awkward for two people.
Now, I literally have zero knowledge when it comes to wood work/carpentry and my "handy man" knowledge is limited to outboards and house hold projects. That being said, building a whole built in floor is out of the question. While they look beautiful and the boats I searched on here came out great, I know I am totally incapable of making my boat totally rigged with a deck.
Point is - I would like to modify this boat somehow to make it more comfortable to get around. What would be the most feasible solution for my problem?
I thought of removing the second seat to open the area between the front bow seat and the back seat. I figured this could open up some room to just walk around in. Would this compromise the stability/structure of the boat? I was thinking of then either using marine carpet on the aluminum or even some of that rubber bedliner material to dampen the vibration and noise.
I was also thinking of drilling down some heavy duty plywood on top of the front seat to the bow of the boat - kind of like a poorman's casting deck? Anyone ever do a small/easy casting platform?
I appreciate any advice and like many, will continue to search for solutions on previous projects. The work many of you do on your boats here is amazing - I wish I had the know-how to complete a top-notch project!
I've attached some pictures to give you an idea of what I am working with!
Thanks again.
However, I since have a wife and my bestfriend (my dog) that I want to bring with me fishing as well. I originally wanted a 14ft boat that had some type of decking or floor so my family and friends and I could maneuver easily around the boat. This boat just has the three bench seats and is extremely awkward for two people.
Now, I literally have zero knowledge when it comes to wood work/carpentry and my "handy man" knowledge is limited to outboards and house hold projects. That being said, building a whole built in floor is out of the question. While they look beautiful and the boats I searched on here came out great, I know I am totally incapable of making my boat totally rigged with a deck.
Point is - I would like to modify this boat somehow to make it more comfortable to get around. What would be the most feasible solution for my problem?
I thought of removing the second seat to open the area between the front bow seat and the back seat. I figured this could open up some room to just walk around in. Would this compromise the stability/structure of the boat? I was thinking of then either using marine carpet on the aluminum or even some of that rubber bedliner material to dampen the vibration and noise.
I was also thinking of drilling down some heavy duty plywood on top of the front seat to the bow of the boat - kind of like a poorman's casting deck? Anyone ever do a small/easy casting platform?
I appreciate any advice and like many, will continue to search for solutions on previous projects. The work many of you do on your boats here is amazing - I wish I had the know-how to complete a top-notch project!
I've attached some pictures to give you an idea of what I am working with!
Thanks again.