Making storage areas

What is the opinion out there about adding storage on my jon boat? I just finished laying the 3/4" p/w down between the 24" short deck and the middle bench. First I added 2x2s in between that area and now do I frame for my storage or do I cut out the lids and add hinges to the top of the carpet I plan to install? Any suggestions.

It is really your own preference. I bought two plastics tubs and framed around them for my storage. I also put the hinges on the inside edges so all you really see is the spiral part on top.

I was stuck with this same question a few weeks ago. I framed my deck with angle aluminum and I originally planned on cutting the deck and using the cutout to make a carpeted and hinged lid. It was going to require modifying my framing to support the closed lid. After a lot of thought about it, I just didn't think I was going to be able to do it that way and make it as sturdy as I would like and have a door of any size, so I ended up buying factory made aluminum hatch lids and just cutting a hole and dropping them in. They are very stout and can be carpeted over, so all you see is the frame. I spent quite a bit extra doing it this way (more than I was planning on), but I'm more than happy with the results.

These are the hatch covers that I used:

https://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0001528010645a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=hatch&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=hatch&noImage=0

They have some heavy duty plastic ones for a little cheaper too...

https://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0053189019707a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=hatch&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=hatch&noImage=0

If you are like the Tempress line of plastic hatches then i wouldn't buy from Cabella's I would go to https://www.tempress.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=12&osCsid=ed671fa2710191be7be376994018e83e it's a good bit cheaper buying them straight from the source. I was lucky enough to find some of the 13x23 slam hatches for 25$ a piece from a boat surplus depot store (i'm lucky enough to have a couple of these type stores locally :mrgreen: ). If you have any stores like that in your area I would hit them up first, I know it saved me some serious cash.

Thanks for all the help on making storage but I've havent made a decision yet