Need help!! I own a 14ft aluminum boat that has a narrow profile. Read some ideas on putting pvc pipe on both sides to stabilize the boat. I am thinking of using 6 inch x 10 ft capped but I'm not sure whether to mount them at or near the bottom of the boat or another idea would be to mount at the water line with the boat empty so no matter how many people got in the pipe would be in the water. Which would be the best place to mount for added stability? I use the boat mainly for pond fishing and occasionally go to a smaller river and all I use to power it is a 40lb thrust electric Minnkota. Any suggestions would be a great help even if the pvc idea isn't used. Thanks

I guess nobody has tried this with all the lookers and no replies so I will be the guinea pig and let you know how it turns out. Going to put together this weekend and will post some pics. Hope to gain the stability for the new deck.

Interesting idea. But I just don't see why you would need more stabilization. I own a 12' Jon Boat with a 32" bottom and its VERY stable. I would think your 14' would be at least a 36" bottom?? Either way if your gonna try it, I would suggest installing the PVC at the water line.

Here is the pic of the deck that was put in last weekend

Thanks for the reply, it's stable enough to fish but would like more with the new deck.

Now I see why you want more stabilization. One thing I can tell you, Those Big PVC pipes are gonna add alot of drag.

Hey Hawk, how much drag are you thinking? Use a 40lb trolling motor mainly in ponds. What percent drop in power would you guess I would lose and would there be much difference with 4 inch pvc?

I'm not sure of exact figures. You may want to check out this site and get some more in depth answers http://www.bassjons.com/mycustompage0025.htm

Good luck..

A couple pieces of small pvc inside of a few pool noodles could be used to wrap the boat slightly above the waterline. 2 u shaped bracket on each end of the boat slid into the long tubing should hold it in palce with out holes in the boat.

take this for the "my $.02"  Personally I'd drop that deck down below the bench seat and just level out the floor. Leveling that 14ft to the top is very risky, think of of like this:  after you've put all the time and effort and money into building this project you may very well find a wider 14ftr and want to go that way instead.

Im looking for a boat too,  but not jumping into something I'll regret down the road, a 14ftr here in RI is just about a perfect little craft with all our ele only ponds...but before I pull the trigger on somthing its going to wide enough.

Good Luck