Fishing Platform

[Raphael]

I got an idea from a friend of mine to build a fishing deck off the bow of my boat so my buddy Chad and I built it today and by gosh it works! it gives me a great platform to fish from and it cost under $100

We used 5/8 cabinet grade ply wood and made a fishing platform....

We used cardboard to measure the space

I'm painting it with Deck Over right now (Dark Blue)

 

[Evil Sports]

Need some seadek mats for that bad boy. I have some inserts being made to take out my front seats so we can stand on those 2 spots without trashing the seats. Its really not comfortable trying to stand on the seats and fish so this it my fishing mod. I will post pics once we have them done.

 

[sysinu]

Don't paint it . Get some cheap short carpet and just staple it around!

We recently did something very similar for my dad's bayliner that we use for fishing. Buy a couple hinges and build yourself storage access as well (all you have to do is jigsaw out the panels - the hole created generates the access, and then the cut-out is the panel itself).

 

[Raphael]

Don't paint it . Get some cheap short carpet and just staple it around!

We recently did something very similar for my dad's bayliner that we use for fishing. Buy a couple hinges and build yourself storage access as well (all you have to do is jigsaw out the panels - the hole created generates the access, and then the cut-out is the panel itself).

I'm painting it right now with an Acrylic paint that hardens like a Rhino liner "Patriot's Blue". I have to paint it wait 4 hours put a 2nd coat on it and wait again then flip it and repeat the process. I am excited that I will add more utility to my boat and reduce the chance of damaging the cushions when we go fishing. Plus my son helped me build it.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

You might want to put rubber feet on the under side to prevent wobble, paint transference and scratching.

Awesome set up! Are you going to put a swivel seat up there?

 

[Evil Sports]

Hope it gets a big one of these in the center

 

[Raphael]

You might want to put rubber feet on the under side to prevent wobble, paint transference and scratching.

Awesome set up! Are you going to put a swivel seat up there?

No swivel seat just a platform to stand and fish from with my boy, fishing from the bow is a real challenge because of the narrow walkway and the cushioned seats, I'm really excited to give this a try

 

[Raphael]

Hope it gets a big one of these in the center

I debated it but I ended up scoring it with a letter "A" for my sir name.

 

[4x15mph]

This is a great idea and thanks for the details. How will you keep this from messing up the cushions underneath? I might have to copy this

 

[Murf'n'surf]

This is a great idea and thanks for the details. How will you keep this from messing up the cushions underneath? I might have to copy this

I imagine he will remove the seat cushions.

 

[Evil Sports]

Ordered the materials for mine last night

 

[4x15mph]

@Raphael , are you going to have this so that it is removable for times when you are not fishing? Let me know how you end up securing this and whether you keep the cushions in place. Are you adding any supports for the middle of the platform or is this sturdy enough that you didn't need that.

You are going to get some followers on this.

 

[Raphael]

I will remove the cushions when I use this platform and I will only use this when I am planning on fishing. Standing on it you are way up in the air so your cast are unobstructed and your visuals should be much better as well. I did contemplate cutting out footings for the cushions so that I could leave this platform in the boat at all times but quite frankly it's not that fancy, it's just something for me and my son to stand on and comfortably fish.

 

[Raphael]

Ordered the materials for mine last night

Don't shame me by making one way cooler than mine

 

[MikeyL]

Don't shame me by making one way cooler than mine

Too funny !
By the way @Raphael, GREAT project idea.
'Course NOW you show all of us 2015'ers the 1 BAD reason about the 2015's, since we cannot remove the cushions ..... LOL !@

I see a WHOLE new major disagreement and debate coming as to what paint or coating works best, and as to whether it should be water or oil based, how much if any mildewcide should be added, whether the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will affect the type and quantity of fish caught,
should this be applied in 1 coat or several coats, should it be applied in sunshine or darkness, what temperature should be for good application, whether Behr brand paint from Home Depot out-fishes Sherman-Williams, and a lot more.

Personally, Raphael, if it was me, I'ld only buy a paint if it was made by JL Audio, as I have found the sensory auditory reflections of THESE sounds being reflected off your new project deck will be most calming to the fish, meaning more in the boat.

Best Wishes, @Raphael, I see this thread continuing for years and years <LOL !>
Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

PS - Oh, IF it was me, I'ld ONLY paint this in Red and Black with a Bulldog in the Center for the most fish attention, as even fish totally respect the great Georgia Bulldogs !

 

[Zeus2013]

Very cool idea. I have not received my 2015 SX240 so wonder how practical it would be to remove the cushions with the hinges on fishing days.

 

[Raphael]

Very cool idea. I have not received my 2015 SX240 so wonder how practical it would be to remove the cushions with the hinges on fishing days.

Well until the 24 foot FSH rolls off the assembly line this is my solution, I'm heading out to San Diego tomorrow but when I get back I'm hoping it's warm enough to take her out and give her a proper test.

 

[sysinu]

The weather pattern rolling in right now shows promise for southern Utah. I'll be at LP 17th - 19th to enjoy the weather down there! Fingers crossed that it warms back up north, but I'm loving the thought that the 3 out of the next 7 days will be wet ones!

 

[utahrd]

That is sweet. I have often thought about doing that, as well as doing something similar with the rear cushions. Very Nice! AT one point, I think @JetBoatPilot was working on fishing conversion kits, but these didn't materialize from my 07 230

I just got back from Powell. Beautiful lake, beautiful weather. Fishing was plus or minus. Caught some nice stripers but I could have done better...

 

[kthrash]

how hard is that to get in/out with out rubbing on the upper cushions?