1971 17' RinkerBuilt Runabout deck question

[fraannk]

I am now the proud owner of my first boat, a 1971 17' RinkerBuilt Runabout. Of course, the deck is soft in the back and I am going to have to replace it. I have read many, many posts on the subject and feel comfortable with the replacement. I would like to know if I can leave a 12" x 12" hole in the center aft of the deck to put in a bilge pump next to the hull. Right now there is no access below the deck and it always has water in it after being on the water. Right now the bilge pump is in a low cavity near the battery.

I would also like to know if I can make a hole with a cover in the deck like the new boats have and put skiis and stuff under the deck. I am not sure how much clearance there is because I haven't pulled the old deck up yet. It is a tri hull.

Thanks in advance if anyone cares to answer.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1971 17' RinkerBuilt Runabout deck question

hi frank....welcome to i boats....we can walk you thru anything you want to do to your boat .


and its your boat....you can do anything you want to...heck....irs a glass boat...you could extend the hull and add more freeboard.....you could make it a cuddy cabin if you want....


adding a ski locker is no big thing....easy to do....it just depends on the room under the deck....and weither it is a full foam boat.....

as far as making a bilge area....thats easy as well.....just leave that area out when you put the new deck in....cut some new peices of ply wood as bilge "walls" and glass the whole sha bang !


but you wont know untill you get under the deck.....

hit search....deck replacement.....the hull extension thread has a deck going in....pick of work so far just finished a deck.....

and the compleated restoration forum is full of great ideas and tutorials

cheers
oops