looks good.

 

looking good

 

Good job man! I can't tell but did you but a brace in the middle of it? If now i would consider so ya don't get much flex. Anyways good job brother!

 

Looks good! How are you holding it down to the boat? Are you using the track on the rail?

 

Yes there is a brace in the middle. You can see it on the last pic. It sets right on top of where the seat pedestal is mounted on the boat. Even with that I was getting some flex towards the back of the deck so put some angled bracing from back legs up towards middle. Works perfect.

As for how its attached......its not really. I have the stuff to do it but unless you were really acting up haulin butt in rough water I dont see the deck moving. With the angles of the gunnels and how I built the little brackets that go over them its kind of a "press fit". Not much but enough to keep it from sliding around. Also there are tie cleats just behind the front legs so it can only slide back about 2". Ive had it on the water and it does not move at all. If needed I have some weld-on d-rings and some turnbuckles to install.

 

As for how its attached......its not really. I have the stuff to do it but unless you were really acting up haulin butt in rough water I dont see the deck moving.

Ok, this just seems like a BAD idea!!! No doubt it should be turnbuckled down or srewed down somehow

 

Does your brace in the middle go in the pedestal mount or just sit on top of it? I'm gonna end up doing something similar.

 

Just a flat plate that sets on top of the ped mount. I thought about getting something to go in it but figured it would get bent taking it on/off or something and then make it a PITA to get lined up.

I too would think it would be a bad idea. BUT it is super sturdy. I will probably put some turnbuckles on it for insurance but I really think it would be fine without.

 

Nice build man! How much do you think it weighs? Gonna do something similar for my mod v

 

Looks good!

But....I wouldn't even consider taking it on the water without fastening down that deck! No if, ands, or buts about it-when (not if) you get into some choppy water I can almost promise thats gonna move on ya.

Just my opinion also, but Id throw your extra 2 lights up front. Most of your shooting will be up there, so it makes sense to have it well lit.

And I would consider some knee rails-I had a raised deck once without rails and trust me it sucks falling off! Its easy to do when you're sleep deprived, intoxicated, or hit something like stumps or rocks.

 

Not sure exactly on weight but two guys can easily lift it off.

I thought about putting the two extra lights up there but talked myself out of it. Its got plenty of light as is so gonna leave it for now. I agree it needs to be tied down but just havent got around to doing it. Honestly the deck aint goin no where.....if anything it will slide back two inches and catch on the cleats and then its captured front/back and up/down.

Thought about the knee rails and they might go on later. My thinking was I would rather go in the water feet first on my own accord then head first when you go over the knee rail. Wouldnt take much to put them on at all.

I wanted to start off bare minimum and add if I needed it.

 

It looks good but I would strongly consider finding a way to secure it to the boat. I'm sure it's heavy enough to stay in place most of the time but If the water gets bad enough you could have that thing half in the boat and half in the lake.

 

ill show you some pics of my express with removable rack the clamps work good in the third picture.. but have them bolted in and i would fasten down the rack in other spots .. seat post helps in the middle as well

 

Not trying to beat a dead horse but......we had a deck that was welded to the gunnels break loose hauling azz in rough water and we were damn lucky it didnt decapitate us!!!!!!

 

And to further beat that horse....if you're not so much worried about it when you're fishing, you SHOULD be when you're driving down the road! Wind will pick that thing up and launch it into someones car.....then things get interesting.