I have a 2001 Tracker pro team 175.  I am going to be replacing the carpet soon.  When I do that I want to make the front deck longer.  Right now there is empty space in front of the steering  console and I feel like it's wasted space.  I am going to extend it from in front of the console all the way over to the rod locker on the left side.  I was planning on making it out of PT 2x4's and plywood.  Should I use something different?  Also where can I get compartment lids and handles? Thanks.

I have a 96 Tracker PT & I know exactly where you're talking about. Between Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas online you'll find what you need. As far as PT wood you should be ok, I don't think it would be worth usimg aluminum for such a small area.

Did you do this on your boat?

DO NOT USE pressure treated wood.  PT wood and aluminum do not play well together.   Use regular lumber and seal it with spar varnish or even a few good coats of Thompsons water seal.  The copper used in today's PT wood will cause serious corrosion issues with the aluminum.  Years ago PT wood used arsenic but that formula has been changed because of the Greenies.

I pulled up a section of the carpet and it looks like they used PT for the decking. Was this before they changed it? The boat is a 2001.

I pulled up a section of the carpet and it looks like they used PT for the decking. Was this before they changed it? The boat is a 2001.

 

In short, yes. The formula was changed somewhere around 04-06. Also just because it's ply doesn't mean it's PT.

 

Not an expert on those boats so I can't say for sure what exactly they used. If you want to use PT you can but you have to make sure there is a something keeping the wood from touching the alum...and really the problem is when it gets wet as that's when the electrolysis takes place. You can also use alum 2x4s used in screen rooms instead of PT 2x4s. HD sells them.

 

If it were me I'd go with the alum 2x4s with regular ply that was water sealed well. If the boat isn't sitting outside uncovered you shouldn't have a lot of problems with the water and the wood.

I will do that. The aliminum will be lighter to.

Thank you.

i have built decks on 2 boats. i used 1.5'' x 1/8'' aluminum angle and rivets. it is plenty stout. fastening al. 2x4 will be a pain. 

 

just go around the perimeter, riveting every 6'' and 2 in the corners and then span the gap. if it has flex put in a single column and you should be good to go. 

 

You're right. For his application the angle may be better. In my case with the jon I had the 2x4 was the better option, however, the angle would've been used in spots as well. HD sells angle as well so either is something cheap and accessible.

I have a 2001 Tracker pro team 175.  I am going to be replacing the carpet soon.  When I do that I want to make the front deck longer.  Right now there is empty space in front of the steering  console and I feel like it's wasted space.  I am going to extend it from in front of the console all the way over to the rod locker on the left side.  I was planning on making it out of PT 2x4's and plywood.  Should I use something different?  Also where can I get compartment lids and handles? Thanks.

 

 

See as you depicted it seems like I had undergone through such problem but just make sure that you do not use pressure treated wood. Since it doesn't play well together with aluminum. Try using regular lumber and make sure that its coated no. of times with a water seal. I had used this in my home plus office furniture Clearwater fl and it really looks beautiful.