Hi everyone, looking for advice on building a deck on a small beachcat

[AquaticFrank]

Hi guys, I am new to the forum (although I was lurking here for a couple of years already).
I have some old Nacra 5.2 and a Tornado hulls that I would like to build a lighweight hard deck on. 8' x 8' and 10' x 10' roughly. Any suggestions or recommendations?

 

[jehardiman]

Welcome to the Forums.
Still have the crossbeams?

 

[upchurchmr]

Why?
Sailboat with a hard deck, or powerboat, or ?????
Whats the purpose - scuba diving, party boat, fishing, or what?

If you want a powerboat, I can find one already done by a current boat designer.

 

[kapnD]

Beach cats are not known for their load carrying capabilities. Adding solid decks and outboard motors is an attractive conversion, but doesn’t end well unless they are kept ultra light.

 

[AquaticFrank]

Beach cats are not known for their load carrying capabilities. Adding solid decks and outboard motors is an attractive conversion, but doesn’t end well unless they are kept ultra light.

Thanks! didn't think about it from this point of view.

 

[Milehog]

They are indeed very weight sensitive. Also, some concern about catching a gust of wind under the solid deck.

 

[upchurchmr]

Waste of time.

 

[jehardiman]

Thanks! didn't think about it from this point of view.

That's why we ask what seem like rather inane questions, because the answer always is "it depends....". Putting a hard deck on existing cross beams would not be helpful; just too heavy. Rebuilding the crossbeams and tramp into a deck would require a very sharp pencil. FWIW, turning sailboat into a power boat is usually not a good thing. Also adding significant weight to an existing hull form is also not a good thing. Modifications to an existing hull are fraught with issues. Horses for courses.