rivetted jon boat question

[forced2work]

Anybody ever ripped the center seat out of one and put in a floor, if so how did it work?

Thanks

Chris

[Raul G]

Yes. One thing I learned early on about jon boats and center bench seats, was that they were in the way. The removal should not compromise hull rigidity. If there is any flotation in the seat (in many older models there was none, which would make removal easier), you can make up for some of the loss by placing closed cell foam/flotation between the ribs and under the floor- this will make for a tighter quieter fit. I recommend aluminum flooring (.090 gauge on mine, .100 even better)- won't rot/rust, termite-proof, lighter than marine plywood. You can always apply outdoor carpetting or even better the newer vinyl/compound "turf"- forgot the name? (more expensive but a lot of people are raving about it) over it, making it cooler in summer warmer in winter and more slip-resistant, you can hose it off to clean it. The floor can be installed with either ss screws and washers to the ribs or rivets. A compromise on the bench is to cut out only the center section, leaving two equal side boxes (dubbed a "walk-thru hull" design), which can retain the flotation or can be used as handy storage areas/ like for electronic panel,etc. Many times the alum retailer can cut a panel for you- I went through several jig saw blades notching for the ribs- I've heard of some people using street sign aluminum for floors since the price has gone up. To provide level flooring I used some galvanized U-channel in the middle otherwise you may have a bowed effect. I enjoyed the project on a previous jon, added a floor to my Tracker Grizzly this way and saved some dough. Hope that helps some.

[rmenasco]

Raul G it is called Hydro-Turf. It is mainly used on jet skis, but from what I have heard it works great and it is really easy to clean.


This is the link to the site...
http://hydroturf.com


Its best to get the close-outs. Its like half off.
http://hydroturf.com/products/Closeouts_and_Specials/Sheets_of_Hydro-Turf

http://i30.tinypic.com/15dx3qe.jpg

[Raul G]

That's it, rmenasco! This Florida sun is tough, so the outdoor carpetting lasts me about 5 seasons- it would last longer if I could store my boat indoors but can't. Looks like that "Turf" with the ribbed surface would shed dirt and water easier and provide sure footing. I got the carpet because it was so much cheaper. I do suggest something to cover the alum which will get so darn hot or cold. Another thrifty cover is the paint with sand/grit that is available in a couple of colors but personally I would go with the turf material. Forced2work, let us know how it goes!

[FastDuck]

You can take a seat out of a riveted jon just have to be careful with the structural integrity of the gunnells. I have done it to several and I have some pics on here of the most recent one we did but we added a brace and flooring to the boat as well. You should be ok just check your gunnells after you take it out.

[FastDuck]

Hydro turff has been a part of boats for years now. I have installed it in several boats and I love the stuff. Your feet don't get hot, it quiets the boat down and it is very durable. There are several types that are sold some have 3m backing and is a little more expensive and you can purchase different lengths as well as colors. There is a cheaper version of it on Hydroturf.com that is thinner material and no backing to it that is just as good depending on what you plan to do in your boat.

[duckbone]

This is a buddy of mine if anyone ever wanted to go this route
http://www.seadek.com/index.html

[FastDuck]

Yeah I have seen that stuff it is nice. Ihad someone tell me that it holds water though, is that true? I have only seen it at s hows and not in action so to speak. The hydro turf repels water and does not retain it when it gets wet. Oh and does the blonde come with it? :occasion14:occasion14:icon_tong

[duckbone]

To tell you the truth I don't know, I have never fished on a boat that has it. I do know all the flats fisherman I know here have their boats done by him so I doubt it.

[FastDuck]

I would not think so either I was just curios. They have so much stuff out there now that it has created better things for the end user.

[forced2work]

I have seadek on my casting platforms in my flats boat and I have hydroturf in canoe, they both work great and both are very expensive however at the end of the day your feet and back will thank you for them.

[FastDuck]

Amen to that. Your feet do like it.

[CHRISJ]

I cut my bench out put new floor and put hydro turf. Ill post some pics later. The best move ive made. The hydro turf stays cool no mater how hot it is and it cleans very easily.

[Steve.r]

Cool man can't wait to see it. Last year I cut the seat out of my old boat and it was the best move I made , but it all most cost me a finger tryin to get to the bottom rivet.

[backcast]

If you're going to go that route, don't put a wood floor. Might as well do it the right way and go aluminum.

[Baydog]

Chris,

Looked at the center seat in my soon-to-be retired Lowe Big John. The seat is held in by nine rivets per side. You could drill them out in a half hour or so and fill the holes with some truss head stainless machine screws, nuts & washers. A little 5200 for sealant and you're ready for a sea trial. My Jon boat has so many frames I can't imagine that the seat removal would change things that much. If you don't like it you could always bolt it back in with the same screws you filled the holes with.

[Raul G]

Baydog, just curious- what size hull is that Big Lowe jon? Is there any wood in the transom? Some years ago, Lowe offered an open hull model of their 18' but no longer the case. I always wanted the 1848 because it was relatively light this way and I think ideal with a longtail/shortail though not a true mud motor hull. I have friends with rivetted 1648 Lowes and the "walk-thru" hulls which were a modification of the center benches- They've been running these successfully with no leaks and just added an aluminum cap to brace the transom. The only other add-on were some alum flooring. I would add, that for mud running or general marsh use, that coating the bottom of any rivetted hull with Steelflex would serve a few good purposes: reduce friction when running in grass/mud; seal bottom rivets; make trailering/untrailering a boat a lot easier. I have done that to my 1648 Grizzly and as long as you don't run onto oyster bars, frequently jump beaver dams, or run rocks it will last- going on season five with the coating and it is still like new!