Perhaps you could look at the differences if any, between your model and the one with the split bench. Differences as in, more ribs or chines on the bottom, some type of additional lateral support or transom changes etc.hi chris yes alumacraft does make the v14 with different configurations. that is where I got the idea. It makes them with the rear splitbench a half bench in the centre and a casting deck up front. I would like to make a deck on my boat as well and the split bench in the rear