Front Deck Fabrication Pt. 1 | Jon Boat to Bass Boat Conversion

I bought a 1979 Bass Tracker III about two months ago and I'm finally starting to make some more progress on it. In this video I start fabrication on the front deck of my jon boat to bass boat conversion. Please let me know if you have any questions on anything. I know I didn't go into a ton of detail but I really hope this helps you out with your conversion. Many more videos to come so make sure you subscribe to my channel to see this project to the end.

[@WAEofFishing]

Your contouring solution may solve my deck issue. Thanks for sharing...i subbed

[@fireantfishing]

Looks good man!

[@rogerdickinson9335]

These videos are great. What kind of c channels are those? I haven’t been able to find any at Lowe’s

[@VaidenEllis]

I just subscribed and I love your channel I will need a lot of help with my own boat that I am building and I will tell u if I have a question

[@michaellausche7780]

Gonna be starting on a 14 ft aluminum JB project very soon. Intrigued by your frame job and where the deck is going. Concerned about weight/durability though. Do you recommend using aluminum for the base of the deck, or would wood (2x4's) work as well?

[@SMG_62]

If you continue to watch this series you’ll see how it turned out. I ended up using all aluminum for the framing and then 1/2” plywood for the deck. It turned it great and has more than enough durability. I’ve been fishing on it for a few months now without any issues at all. Thank for watching.

[@sstatic6093]

well im new to boating but not fishing I need help have been trying to get help I didn't understand the way it was being explained so here goes I just bought a 14 ft 42,43 wide and im trying to frame it to put compartments in it I need help with what I can get away with and what size aluminum to use that wouldn't give away over the years from me cause Im going to be using it alot on the weekend

[@SMG_62]

I would suggest putting many compartments in your 14’ boat. I have a video with my old 14’ boat and I have one compartment for life vest and such and if I had to do it over I would have gotten rid of it and solely built a casting deck.

[@SMG_62]

But it’s totally up to what you want to build and how strong you want to build it.

[@SMG_62]

Size of the aluminum isn’t a big deal because you can always add bracing to make everything stronger. Obviously don’t use as thin as you can find but for example. I used 1/16” aluminum angle. Some people used 1/8” but I didn’t see the need when the cost was so much more.

[@ACarrier19]

What size of angled aluminum did you use? 1/8" thick?

[@SMG_62]

Sorry I completely missed your comment. I'm not using 1/8" thick aluminum because of the price and the added weight. If I didn't have my vertical plywood supports I would probably use 1/8" but I don't see a need for it. I'm using 1/16" thick aluminum. I think it has plenty of strength for what I'm using it for.

[@ACrewDawg]

What’s your AFSC?

[@thatswhatshesaid270]

How did you attach your frame to the bottom of the boat?

[@SMG_62]

+jacob hooten with the vertical wood supports.

[@VaidenEllis]

I’m doing one what things should I have in mine

[@SMG_62]

It really just all depends on what you want. Check out the rest of this series and maybe some others on KZbin to see what you like the best.

[@VaidenEllis]

SMG I love your videos because they help me with my own boat project

[@SMG_62]

That’s awesome. That’s the entire reason I do these! Let me know if you ever have any questions. Don’t forget to sub.

[@crenlymarrero6913]

how much weight is too much to add in a 10ft jon boat?

[@SMG_62]

+Crenly Marrero I'm not sure I would try to add much to a 10ft Jon boat. Putting anything above the seats (such as a platform) is highly discouraged.

[@VaidenEllis]

Will the hooks get caught in the carpet

[@VaidenEllis]

This is what I am the most worried about

[@SMG_62]

Yea occasionally hooks get fought by I just pull them out and they come. The worst that happens is I need to use pliers to pull them out. I think you’ll get his with pretty much any carpet you use. That’s just the price you pay for comfort.

[@roberthallman4324]

I know this video is old but this is more of a Bass boat reconstruction than a Jon boat to Bass boat conversion

[@SMG_62]

Great observation.

[@steve30678]

Rachmaninoff google: The pleasures of a Joggle Stick by Terry Bluddell. It was in Australian amateur boatbuilder and is used for measuring complex curve profiles to be reproduced accurately first time without waste of materials

[@SMG_62]

Wow that looks extremely complicated, but if I ever do it again I’ll give it a try!

[@dakine1247]

Did you use foam?

[@SMG_62]

+DA Kine I plan on using foam once the project is completed.

[@andrewmaisch4968]

what are the dimensions

[@SMG_62]

+ATM outdoors this bad boy is 1648. 16ft long 48 inches wide. I wish it were a little wider but I got a great deal on this boat.

[@andrewmaisch4968]

I don't think they make them any wider

[@SMG_62]

ATM outdoors the newer grizzly trackers are 1654s. I dont know if they made them any wider in 1979 but they do now. Anyway I think it'll be fine.