Hi everyone.  I'm mostly a lurker and I enjoy all the good advice on this forum.  I have a 1959 Grumman 14' aluminum boat.  It has a 9.9hp motor  (can handle a 16hp according to the tag), has a 55" beam, is about 43" wide at the stern, is 22" deep and has three benches.  It's not a flat bottom boat, but I don't know if it would be considered a v-hull.  It's more rounded, with a main keel running from front to back with two side keels running from the middle to the back.

I usually fish it with two people (including me) and we can stand up, but it can get a little rocky sometimes if someone shifts too quickly.  I was think about adding a floor and/or a raised casting deck (about the height of the seats).  The casting deck would be from the second bench to the front.  I am concerned that this boat is not wide enough for a casting deck.  Can any one lend me some advice?  What about the floor?  Is it worth it too add a floor if not adding the casting deck?  Thanks for your help.

It sounds to me that this boat would not be stable enough to add a deck and I'd think twice even putting a floor in it.

I had a boat like that once and did the same thing. Try cutting a piece of 3/4 plywood to fit in the front of the boat and just set it in across the seats. Take it out and test it. It would probably be ok on small lakes, but it's not going to be a very stable boat.

It sounds to me that this boat would not be stable enough to add a deck and I'd think twice even putting a floor in it.

That's what I'm afraid of.

I had a boat like that once and did the same thing. Try cutting a piece of 3/4 plywood to fit in the front of the boat and just set it in across the seats. Take it out and test it. It would probably be ok on small lakes, but it's not going to be a very stable boat.

Thanks.  I'll give that a try this Spring.  

Maybe not right for a deck but floors would at least give you a flat place to put your feet and keep the gear out of the water that accumulates on the floor.

I have a very similar boat.

Hope this gives you some ideas?

Orig:

Paint:

Decks:

Hope these give you some ideas.

My boat runs at about... 5 MPH with a 7 HP Johnson Outboard.

Just FYI.

I have a very similar boat.

Hope this gives you some ideas?

Thanks Wheasle.  That looks really good.  Are the dimensions of your boat the same?  Mine is only 55" at it's widest point and 14' long.  

Have you found your boat to be stable?

Sry it took me so long to respond, umm i am pretty sure its 55 across, and yes it is very stable.  I have a tall swivel seat on it, and i can sway back and forth on that and there is no way it will tip.  I used it in a fishing tourny w/ two people on it, and no prob whatsoever.  I go Catfish fishing during hte summer w/ 4 of us, and it is fine..

Sry it took me so long to respond, umm i am pretty sure its 55 across, and yes it is very stable. I have a tall swivel seat on it, and i can sway back and forth on that and there is no way it will tip. I used it in a fishing tourny w/ two people on it, and no prob whatsoever. I go Catfish fishing during hte summer w/ 4 of us, and it is fine..

Thanks for all your help.

Floors would be fine.  I have just about the same boat (14' 1971 Cherokee) and I have a casting deck up front 2" below the lip of the boat.  It all depends on how small and nimble you are.  I have no problems but some of my friends will not get up there... ever. ;D