Thread: 16' crappie boat rigging suggestions?

I got a bare bones 3 bunk jon last spring, a Princecraft Starfish 20, and I wanted to turn it into a crappie fishing machine. Here is the boat:


I knew I would need a front platform, so I did that first. I used the front bunk, and closed in the front and added a swivel base and carpet. I may add a hatch later, as the storage space underneath is pretty huge. This makes the front of the boat really solid. I did not need any further supports, besides a couple of angle brackets to mechanically fasten the platform to the hull while the adhesive cured:


I also added a side console, steering and controls to go with a sweet running Evinrude 35 hp:


I have considered cutting a 24" section out of the middle of the center bunk, to make a walk-through area, but I nixed that thought, as it may weaken the boat, which I don't want. Anyway, here is the inside of the boat as it stands:


NOW... I have a functional boat that took minimal cost and effort. I probably have only three days invested so far. Besides good electronics, which will be coming soon, what would you guys recommend to make this an efficient crappie fishing machine? I was thinking of making the back a full platform, but am not sure if I want any more weight back there.

Let me know what you think. I'm all ears.

Thanks in advance.

-Tony