| DOUBLE DECK-
The deck is a two tier construction with space for a tackle box between. Like most kayak decks it's constructed from high density polyethylene. |
| MATERIAL-
There's commercial grades and sizes available on line from places such as U.S. Plastics but a simple cutting board from the local Wal-mart will do. |
| LAYOUT-
Make a cardboard template from your cockpit and transfer it to the poly board. Use the template for both inside and outside curves. Cut with saber saw and discard the shaded areas. "A" becomes the top shelf, "B" the bottom. |
| JOINING-
Use nylon spacers (I stacked two to get the correct height), available at your local hardware store. Drill holes in top and bottom deck material and drop a stainless steel screw through the spacers. Fasten with a nut on the bottom (a drop of Locktite will prevent it from loosening). |
| ATTACHMENT--
My first idea to attach the deck was to place it inside the lip of the cockpit. This, however, made it difficult to enter the boat (and consequently exit)...NOT A GOOD THING. I finally settled on mounting it to the top of the rim with a shock cord around the entire cockpit to secure it. Attach it after getting in, and a push towards the bow and it comes off ( a good thing for a wet exit). |
| HOOKS--
Plastic adhesive kitchen hooks from the Dollar Store allows the deck to slide on to the cockpit rim. The adhesive made it ideal to position the hooks while the deck sat on the boat. A stainless steel screw through the hook and deck ensures it stability. |
| DECK UNDERSIDE--
Bottom view shows the hook placement. Note: The 4 hooks not in alignment are from the first attempt at positioning the deck. After moving new ones to the right spots, I left the old ones. Turns out they're a great place to pack a wad of rope or line or that extra depth finder transducer cable!!
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| DECK LOOPS--
A deck loop attached to the bottom of each side allows a shock cord to be hooked around the rim.
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| BRACKETS--
Finally it's just a matter of attaching the paddle keepers and brackets for my GPS and fish/depth finder with S.S. screws. I Lifted the GPS mount with more nylon spacers, to give extra surface area and "tuck" space.
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| ROD HOLDER--
Because I wanted the rod holder bracket mounted on the edge of the deck I used tie wraps to fasten it securely.
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