202 Deck Build

[bruce']

I thought some might find some interest. I have less than 40 dollars in it right now. I bought a bundle of tubing from a reclaimed warehouse.

square aluminum tubing deck build

The front box will be dry storage
I have some 1/4 inch starboard to cover the outside. So far it weighs less than 6 pounds.
I have a full storage lid but dont want to cut it down. Looking for someone to build me two new lids.
Than i can sell the extra lid
Ideas anyone. I am a big man and this is very very sturdy. I put a piece of 1/2 starboard on the top and fish a day with it laying on the frames and it was great. Still tinkering with it before i cover the frame.

[Tx Champ]

That looks damn nice Bruce! Might holler at R&R Design (http://www.rnrd.com/) over in Terrell. I know they make aluminum lids. Don't know if it is just OEM or custom, but worth a shot.

[Ziggy]

Do you plan on setting in the boat or actually attatching it? Thought I read earlier that "fish on fabrications" or somthing like that makes custom hatches?

[bruce']

I am going to attach it. I had a previous deck insert that covered the opening all the way to the console. It came from the factory with hardware installed to hold the lid. So i am going to just attach it to the old hardware. But i getting old and it hard to get up.

[Ziggy]

What did you use for the "connectors" or corners.

[SCOTT196]

Dam nice!!! Looks great!

[bruce']

https://www.amazon.com/80-20-Quick-C...ing+connectors

I seen these before. And gave them little thought. Than i got this tubing . And tried my hand at welding . Well that didnt work out so i started looking and found these. I got them from another company cheaper . Zoro was the company.

[Ziggy]

awesome. Nice job

[Lea]

Great job!!!!!!!

[BILLY]

I saw one made from aluminum diamond plate. It was turned upside down so it had a flat side.

[BigMouth]

Now that there is pure genius!

[bruce']

The first picture is the old mounting system and deck lid. It was not able to open just solid. The next is the way it used to be. With the insert installed. Its just laying there now

And the last is the new layout. I know it looks like crap but i have to do this till the I can afford the new Lids.

I wanted to cut the old lid down and reuse it. But by the time i would cut it down I would have just as much money tied up in it. So i thought i might try and sell it and see what i could get for it. I paid two hundred for it new from Champion

[bruce']

I have been calling around trying to find someone that could make me new lids. So far everyone say to call back in the winter.
When the work slows down. I need to fish so i installed the fake plywood till i can get the new lids made.
I didn't want to put the starboard around the box till i had the lids so i could carpet the whole front deck all at once.

If anyone has any ideas on where i could get new lids made i sure listen. I have called the ones posted above and several more around town.

[Ziggy]

might be a long shot, maybe BCB has one that'd fit?

[bruce']

Maybe you can see the new step. I want to put a handle on the side of the console so i can get up easier. At 69 years old it getting harder and harder to stand up ,,, reason for the step and handle.

[bruce']

I got the aluminium deck lids ordered. I will update soon i hope.
I have the deck lid in the picture if someone has interest.

[Lea]

MMosher has a relative who built lids. PM him.

[FastBird]

[QUOTE=Lea;9352722]MMosher has a relative who built lids. PM

IMS fabrication in Midway AR.

[bruce']

So i finished putting the lids together. I got to admit. They didn't turn out as good as i wanted. I had a lot of problem with them warping as i welded them. I figured it out. But it took several tries. I found that i needed to add the brace in the middle to keep the big lid from twisting. Next step is to line the frame with 1/4 starboard. I plan on using pop rivets to secure the starboard.

[bruce']

Sorry it been so long Getting to this point. I have added the star board. and have it ready for carpet. I am still trying to finish the hinge braces for the top and bottom.