Ok guys this may not be the right section for this but i like the guys on the crappie section so here we go. I am converting a 1468 jon boat to have decks rod holders middle seat the whole 9 yards the question is.... If I remove the middle bench am I gonna loose boat durability? Will it make that section of the boat less durable. I wouldnt be so concerned if the boat wasent so wide. If anyone has done a similar conversion please let me know. I have been on tinboats.net and some very cool projects have come from them but I wanted to come here first since I am from TEXAS. Thanks guys in advance!

Those seats are used as a bulkhead. They keep your boat from folding like a taco. Most Jon boat bench seats carry the floating foam also.

Thts wht I was afraid of I want to pull that bench to make a rodbox but it dont sound feasable

You should look at tinboats.net...... Lots of info about what your doing, or plan to...

removing the middle bench will be offset by the decking/boxes you are going to do, see tinboats site, it's done all the time. Besides, what's wrong with a taco?

Plus one on tinboats.net. Great forum of guys all over the country doing alterations. Below is a link to my mod done about a year ago. I gained a lot of info from members there that proved invaluable. For instance– never use treated lumber (copper in treatment corrodes aluminum), always use stainless screws and don't use any galvanized metal that comes in contact with aluminum. Good luck!

http://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=16622

nice job on that conversion Earlo, that is what I plan on doing to mine one of these days...

Thanks Buzzard Breath. Been in it for just over a year now and so far, so good. That website has some pretty radical conversions – way more ambitious than mine, including some guys that put jetski engines in jon boats. Sort of like the lake version of Tim Allen's riding mower.

Heck of a job on your conbersion!! Thats what im foin now. I.pulled the middle bench last note so im commited now. Got quite.a few holes to fill now...

If the front deck that you build comes back close to where the middle seat was that should compensate for the structural integrity that you lose by removing the seat. Additionally, if your rod box runs the length of the boat and is anchored at the front an back to something solid that will provide the structural integrity as well.

Thanks dt. Check this post out: http://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12178

Lots of pages to scroll through, but the guy did an awesome build. Might give you some ideas.

I did that on a V-hull tin boat, built a front deck, left the middle seat in and made a live well in it. Added floor boards, ped seats. Came out real nice.

Good luck.

not to sound negative or anything, but wouldn't it be cheaper just to buy a boat that already has the decking? that project doesn't look cheap.

i guess if you already had the boat for a long time it would make sense...

If you have access to an aluminum welder any thing is possible!! Go to a welding shop and have them make you a brace like this \____/ if you want to do it right the first time. Might cost you 100-150 dollars but it will give you something strong to rivet and bolt too! Never screw through the hull.....trust me! Use rivets or stainless bolts!!! A pop rivet and a couple washers can be used to plug most holes. And make sure all the silicone you use is uv stabilized. Post some pictures of what you got going on!

[quote=crappie-mark]not to sound negative or anything, but wouldn't it be cheaper just to buy a boat that already has the decking? that project doesn't look cheap.

I see what you're sayin', but for me, it was cheaper. Already had a trailer and small motor. Spent about 700 on a new boat, and about 500 on bracing, decks, seats and mounts, carpet, wiring, switches and lights.

I bought the boat trailer and motor 4 yrs ago. Its a project that is fun time consuming and an awesome end project from what ive seen. Thanks for all the posts guys! Tinboats is a great website for anyone lookin to do one of thiese!!I will post pics when I get back in town