I am making some modifications to my Tolman 20' Standard Skiff to make
it more useful and seaworthy. I built mine without any decking inside
although I did build the two floatation compartments in front and
rear.
So, I added a forward deck in front of the center console. This deck
can be removed and moved up level with the forward V to form a
sleeping area.
Atop this I made a canvas cover held up by three flexible fiberglass
tent type poles that insert into holes in the gunnels. Currently, I
am building an enclosure for the entire cockpit area so we can use it
as a tent.
Aft, I am raising the drywell by two inches. It was already fairly
high but I want it higher in case of a boarding sea.
Am installing a second bilge pump (3500 gph) with straight walled
tubing exiting thru the transom powered by a third dedicated battery.
Am considering a removable deck under which I will put closed cell
foam. This deck would be 1/2" glassed ply held down to the stringers
with stainless threaded inserts. If I put in this deck, I will also
put in two 4" diameter drain ports level with said deck with rubber
flapper seal on the outside of the transom.
Biggest expense right now is a new motor mount for the 9.9 hp kicker.
The old one was simply too lightweight although it was specced for up
to 20 hp.

On Mon, 5 Jan 2009 09:35:33 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch
wrote:

I am making some modifications to my Tolman 20' Standard Skiff to make
it more useful and seaworthy. I built mine without any decking inside
although I did build the two floatation compartments in front and
rear.
So, I added a forward deck in front of the center console. This deck
can be removed and moved up level with the forward V to form a
sleeping area.
Atop this I made a canvas cover held up by three flexible fiberglass
tent type poles that insert into holes in the gunnels. Currently, I
am building an enclosure for the entire cockpit area so we can use it
as a tent.
Aft, I am raising the drywell by two inches. It was already fairly
high but I want it higher in case of a boarding sea.
Am installing a second bilge pump (3500 gph) with straight walled
tubing exiting thru the transom powered by a third dedicated battery.
Am considering a removable deck under which I will put closed cell
foam. This deck would be 1/2" glassed ply held down to the stringers
with stainless threaded inserts. If I put in this deck, I will also
put in two 4" diameter drain ports level with said deck with rubber
flapper seal on the outside of the transom.
Biggest expense right now is a new motor mount for the 9.9 hp kicker.
The old one was simply too lightweight although it was specced for up
to 20 hp.

Got any pictures? It sounds interesting.

On Mon, 5 Jan 2009 09:35:33 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch
wrote:

I am making some modifications to my Tolman 20' Standard Skiff to make
it more useful and seaworthy. I built mine without any decking inside
although I did build the two floatation compartments in front and
rear.
So, I added a forward deck in front of the center console. This deck
can be removed and moved up level with the forward V to form a
sleeping area.
Atop this I made a canvas cover held up by three flexible fiberglass
tent type poles that insert into holes in the gunnels. Currently, I
am building an enclosure for the entire cockpit area so we can use it
as a tent.
Aft, I am raising the drywell by two inches. It was already fairly
high but I want it higher in case of a boarding sea.
Am installing a second bilge pump (3500 gph) with straight walled
tubing exiting thru the transom powered by a third dedicated battery.
Am considering a removable deck under which I will put closed cell
foam. This deck would be 1/2" glassed ply held down to the stringers
with stainless threaded inserts. If I put in this deck, I will also
put in two 4" diameter drain ports level with said deck with rubber
flapper seal on the outside of the transom.
Biggest expense right now is a new motor mount for the 9.9 hp kicker.
The old one was simply too lightweight although it was specced for up
to 20 hp.

How's this all fit in with the "keeping a boarding sea" from the
bilges we were talking about before? Sounds like you're only
partially addressing that - which might be the only practical way
without full-length decking watertight.
I like the tent piece.
Ah, sleeping aboard, gently rocking in the night air, with the
soothing sounds of water-crickets in your head.
You got gator-guards to keep gators from coming aboard while you
sleep?

--Vic