ripping out the deck....ideas

Laserdoc · Post by **Laserdoc** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:12 am

I’m getting ready to re do the deck in my older tracker and I have to remove the wood not just re carpet. So it’s a good time to make some changes. Like extending front deck or compartments. But I’m also looking for some “how to’s ” Like don’t use this glue, this is better and add this while you got the deck off,etc
Looking for ideas and advice.....

Derrick · Post by **Derrick** » Thu Jan 26, 2012 12:42 pm

Here is what the front of mine looks like. I shortend the bow drop down to move the comfortrol farther foward.
Derrick

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 6:29 am

My '03 Tracker 175 had a rod locker on the left side that only held 6'11" rods. I found it was just an aluminum tube, with the tip folded back on itself to close it. I bent the tip back down, so it was open, glued some carpet onto the inside of the bow hull that was directly in front of it, and was able to put 8'+ rods into it, in rod socks.
If you go to http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/ and check out the Boat Forum, there are people there who will help you.
Use pressure treated plywood and pressure treated lumber when you rebuild. You may have to go to a real lumber yard to find the plywood, and they may have to special order it for you, but it will hold up longer than anything else. It is a standard material, but not one that's usually stocked anywhere.

Laserdoc · Post by **Laserdoc** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 9:04 am

thanks for the advice
you know about carpet glue
i bought one gal from overtons wher i got rthe carpet but dont think its enought for entire boat
regular out door carpet glue worK????

ACRon · Post by **ACRon** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:29 am

I did a deck replacement on my sons Tracker. We replaced the plywood. Used exterior plywood and then used multiple coats of marine spar varnish to seal it (make sure you get the edges).

We upgraded the carpet to 20 oz. and used exterior deck carpet glue that we got at Home Depot.l Reinforced the battery compartment deck lid with aluminum before carpet.

If I was getting creative I might extend the front deck towards the console to get more storage. Look at the Boat Seat Store for upgraded seats to take the bounce out of the ride and help the back. Line the rod locker when the deck is off to better protect the tips. Check and see if you can extend the bow end of the rod locker a little for the newer long rods. Replace the rubber rod straps on the deck with Rod Saver straps or retractible straps.

If you need another prop we have one we are willing to sell. It is a Michigan Wheel Rapture 3 blade stainless steel prop 13.25 X 21 with Mercury Outboard hub. Came off a 75 hp but will fit many others check the application on line to make sure it will fit your outboard. Used but in great shape and ready to hit the water. You can PM me if your interested.

Ron
sent you a PM

mrbassin0614 · Post by **mrbassin0614** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 10:43 pm

ADD a the pad that they but un the caret on the rangers idk where you can get other than knowing people i know a guy that works for ranger thats how i get my hands on all the ranger stuff

Fish-N-Fool Lures · Post by **Fish-N-Fool Lures** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 7:27 pm

I decked an old fiberglass tri-hull speed boat and made a bass boat out of it. Here are some photos of what I made. I used fiberglass plywood rather then regular plywood it is super strong and waterproof but on the down side it is quite a bit heavier but it will NEVER rot out so you want have to do it twice. I put in a lot of compartments under it for a ton of storage. only down side to that was the were not watertight compartments. But it was a very fish-able boat. I picked up all my fiberglass plywood at a local auction for about $50 to do the whole boat. This is the same plywood they use in U-haul van bodies. I used the 7/16" ply on the decks to keep the weight down. and the 5/8" for the inner structure.

Front deck, 6 compartments

Rear Deck; 8 compartments

Trolling motor mount

Rod Storeage

I sold it about 5 years ago when I got my Chanpion

You may find this site useful.
http://www.rofb.net/faq/faq_ODF.htm

Laserdoc · Post by **Laserdoc** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 2:49 pm

Thanks for the pictures and looks good.
I finally got the deck out in one piece …but you take a 20 yr old boat with 20 yr old screws and it is rust and more rust. So far getting the screws out has been the toughest job. Got evey thing cut now its carpet time

Hint
For others doing this, if a screw head snaps or pops off or breaks be sure to mark it with a sharpie pen so you know where you’re going to have resistance later. Or where you have to go back and dig out the screw.

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Mon Jan 30, 2012 4:33 pm

FNFL,
You did a beautiful job on that conversion.

Laserdoc · Post by **Laserdoc** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:12 am

mark , thanks for the complement but that was not my boat it was someone else ...im still working on the tracker and putting in the decks on friday, got everything cut and ready to glue