I have a 16' flat bottom jon with a 48" wide froor, a small front deck, and the standard center seat. I'm debating whether to keep my center seat as is(with flat floor) or make 1 large front deck(going over the center seat). What are the pros and cons of each setup? What made you decide either way? The problem is the center bench seat is about 4" lower than the front deck. How do I deal with the height difference? Thanks.

If you make the large foredeck, you can put hatches in the deck between the seats. That will provide you with plenty of out of the way storage, while still having easy access.

I'm guessing by doing that your foredeck will be close to six feet long. Excellent for keeping rods along the sides of the boat, on the deck. Some type of tie downs be they bungees or velcro and you can keep the rods handy without the tips up in the air or hanging over the side of the boat.

The bugaboo is how will the deck affect stability? In addition in order for it to accomodate hatches that you can walk on, it will add more than a little weight to the boat.

Whatever you decide, take your time and come up with a plan before you start any alterations.

Thanks Tom. Actually, the deck would be 94" long. The current deck is only 44" long, so it's a little tight up there. I'm also thinking of making the current deck a little longer, and just leaving the floor the way it is. I'm assuming that most guys, when decking over the center seat, keep a level plane from the front deck? Even though the center seat is a few inches lower?

You'd need to make some type of frame for the top of the seat to make it level with the front deck. Keep in mind, that making a "spacer" you will be raising the deck, and decreasing the stability. How much? I don't know. You should try it out by just setting the appropriate size spacer on the seat, then lay a piece of plywood on top of it. With the boat in shallow water, walk around on the plywood and see how the boat reacts.

Look on here there are a ton of great conversions.

http://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21&sid=9dcc12251d670a3dc436ab31dc36744f

If the boat was for me only or just for me and one other person I'd go for it. I have a 12' jon that's 36" wide at the bottom and decked over my center seat. If I can handle the stability issues you can certainly handle them with a 48" bottom. Yes you will add some weight but it doesn't have to be a ton. 3/4" pressure treated plywood is not necessary. Yes it's rock solid and will last a long time but you can make thinner plywood solid as well and, with preparation, can make it last a long time as well. I've even seen guys find old road signs at a junk yard and use them as flooring/decking.

To do it I'd use angle aluminum on the sides and screen room studs (aluminum as well) across the middle to provide stability under the wood deck while weighing very little. This allows you to use thinner ply on top to save even more weight. I think I may have 3/8" on mine that's 3 years old and still going strong and is very solid.

Thanks guys. I'm not sure what I'll do. I may wait until the end of the season.