aluminum boat ?

[steel shot]

i have a 14' aluminum boat im gonna rig up to duck hunt out of and i was wondering if it would weaken the boats integrety any if i took the middle seat out.
I plan to put plywood or maybe aluminum flooring in after i remove the seat.
Help me out...

[mack]

it will weaken the boat if there is no rib under the boatseat. if there is a rib under the seat then it will not. If there is no rib, then you could have one welded in which would be no problem. most boat manufacturers put foam for floatation under the seats, so you will lose that. If you weld in aluminum floors then you can put in foam between the ribs and then weld aluminum over that. you will greatly increase the strength of hull by welding in floors. It would probably be a better deal to maybe sell that boat and buy a new one if you are going to do all that, because aluminum and the labor will get fairly expensive.

[Wildfowler]

I think you should need to sell that boat and buy what you want. If you cut the middle seat out, you will loose the structural support built into the boat. I think you've got the right idea. The ideal duck boat should have a large unobstructed floor. Now's the best time of the year to sell a boat.

From another post, it sounds like those fellows up at F&F boats in Monticello, AR do a good job. Why don't you just get a quote for a new boat?

[steel shot]

I understand what your saying about getting a new but Im kinda strapped for cash..
Just recently purchased some property and fixin to start building a house so Im trying to get off as cheap as possible..
Im a welder by trade so welding the floor in shouldent be a problem.
I will have to check to see if the middle seat is sitting on ribs,Im pretty sure it is.
Thanks for the info.

[Knockin-m-down]

just take it out. its not really your boat anyway..... ha ha