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Hey,
I plan on making my own deck extension in my reata 180vs... Ranger wants a little too much for theirs for my taste not to mention its out of stock.
I was curious... what are the compartment lids made off ? I was thinking on using marine board but I know the compartment lids arnt just flat pieces as they are "cupped" to sit and seal around the compartment. or do most people just cut to fit the marine board and hinge it in place
These guys make some really useful stuff. Not sure what your looking for or what you need the extention for but this is what I use. Just passing an idea to you.
https://justencase.com/
https://justencase.com/on-the-water/ look under photos
The front bow of my reata 180vs is small needless to say due to the rod locker in the floor. Ranger sells this add on "deck extension" that makes the front casting deck much bigger. a few people have done custom ones but no detail on what materials where used.
THis is the deck extension set up that ranger usually offers. trying to see what i can use to build something identical.
https://i.imgur.com/VUdfiSQ.jpg
This pic isnt my boat... but same one .... it goes right in the middle.. as you can see it makes the front casting deck quite a bit larger.
https://i.imgur.com/DCa5F7P.jpg
Its probably going to be hard to build something comparable that looks as good as what Ranger will build. Prob price won't be crazy different either if you really add up all the incidentals in building one.
if I was in the states it would be worth my dime to buy the one from ranger.. but because im in canada by the time I add in shipping and converting my $ to USD... ill by not far off from 500$ into a deck extension which is steep.
I should be able to get something done for under 250 myself.
I built my deck extension from 3/4" coosa board then added carpet to match. http://www.coosacomposites.com/
Built mine with 1/2 sheet of 3/4 plywood and a couple of 3/4 square aluminun tube, cost about $70 less the carpet.
If you use the marine plywood, coat it with a couple of coats of latex paint before carpeting as added waterproofing.And, I would attach a piece of Al angle on the underside for stiffness on a locker lid that big.
thanks for the replies / ideas! i was definitely currious about how it would hold on a open area that big.
wouldnt mind have it a full flush fit. what did you guys use to secure it in place? added hinges?
old thread but figured i'd post a finished look of the deck i built... while its not perfect at about 60$ in material plus cost of a roll of marine carpet from Ranger (so lets say i used 40 worth of carpet for the deck) as I bought extra so i could do the bow when im ready) at 100$ give or take all said and done turned out pretty good.
The deck is a little too thick with the new carpet on and its a tight squeeze to the point its tough to open the compartments (which will get better as the carpet squishes itself over time, it's been 2 days and its already easier to open the compartments) pretty happy with the end results plus now i have a little extra storage under it as we all know the rod locker is more so useless on these as its too short for 1 piece rods.
I was using the platform since I made this thread but only got around to adding the carpet this past weekend.
scary to see how faded my original carpet is in comparison to the new carpet i got from ranger (which is supposed to be an exact match for my boat)
https://i.imgur.com/gQqP7su.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/d8kkOF6.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/nH2Iy0D.jpg
Would like to fabricate one with 1.5 or 2.0 inch square aluminum tubes ,secure with screws to deck and sides . use 3/4 pressure treated plywood,use a piano hinge on the front .Similiar to a forward rod locker for extra storage.
Yeah I would of loved doing one out of alum as well. it would also save on weight in comparison to the plywood I used. well see if I end up feeling the need to upgrade the one i made it works as intended and i dont think i'd be able to tolerate fishing without an extension on this boat.... especially with the ultrex eating up a lot of bow space in comparison to the Power drive unit
I am a metal fabricator . Will take mesurements , try to get it done before I retire,(at least the frame.
oh nice that definitely makes things easier!
my buddy works in a fab shop and could make one for me out of alum but the company is starting to stricken down on them using scrap pieces. (the amount of metal going into the scrap bin that could be used i absurd apparently.)
next project for me is re carpeting the boat. also fixing a slight weak spot at the bow that hopefully isnt too bad to do