i have a Javelin 379, which as you may know, has a small front deck, and some empty space between the console and the rod locker... it also has a small cooler, big enough for about 18 cans or so, so its not enough for day long trips where i usually bring some food and water... and, it has no glove box or any place where you can keep valuables such as cell phones, boat papers, etc...

so, with that in mind, last week i made this deck extension... i used 3/4" plywood, covered it with fiberglass, and then carpet...

 

 

the cooler's lid is bolted to the deck, so it seals when closed....

 

 

and the finished product, with its small glove box and some leg room under the deck.... in person the carpet looks the same as the one in the boat, but it also depends on the angle it is, if i rub my hand agains it, it will "bend" in a way and look darker.... one thing i did learn is that the carpet must be laid on the same angle, a part cut horizontally from the roll will look different then one cut vertically.... 

 

 

Wow, nice!

thanx!

Excellent work. I have been debating on how I'm going to do mine. Figured this winter I'll build it. I hadn't considered all plywood. My boat has zero wood and I was thinking of keeping it that was making the extension of aluminum as well. 

7 minutes ago, S. Sass said:

My boat has zero wood and I was thinking of keeping it that was making the extension of aluminum as well.

My Xpress had an aluminum extension on the front deck.  It was pretty nice, and added a step to the front deck as well as more storage.  However, be prepared to tighten a lot of machine screw after encountering moderately rough water....

That plywood extension with the cooler is pretty slick.  Nice work man!

5 minutes ago, J Francho said:

My Xpress had an aluminum extension on the front deck.  It was pretty nice, and added a step to the front deck as well as more storage.  However, be prepared to tighten a lot of machine screw after encountering moderately rough water....

That plywood extension with the cooler is pretty slick.  Nice work man!

Not to jack the thread but I appreciate the warning. Ill consider neoprene inserted nuts or something of the sort to avoid that from happening if I do go all aluminum.

My plan was very similar to the OP though so I can use the space under the deck as well. The gas rod is a nice addition to hold the lid too. I see them on the nicer newer boats.   

thanx!!

i found the gas rods on a local hardware store, they cost about $1.50, i bought enough to put on every lid on the boat..

i had thought about aluminium at first, but i cant weld aluminium, so i went with plywood instead....