66 Starcraft Nassau, closed bow to open bow?

[Lochlanner9]

I picked up a 66 Starcraft Nassau, aluminum boat in pretty good shape for it's age. Would like to start restoring it but the only thing I don't like is the closed bow in the front. From the dashboard forward it seems like one big sheet of aluminum over the top. Was thinking about cutting around the steering console to make it an open bow and putting in a raised deck ahead of the steering console. Could brace the cut part of the steering console to the floor and leave about 1/3 of the sheet aluminum at the very front of the bow. My question is: Would removing part of the dash and 2/3 of the sheet aluminum over the top of the bow, effect the structural integrity of the hull. If so, would an aluminum brace from side to side, just ahead of the steering console, as part of the top of the raised deck (18" off floor), make up for it? Thanks for any advice

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

Your Nassau is earlier than 1966 and it's not a Nassau. Mine is blue, only 2 step pads and the windshield is different. You may have a 1964 Jupiter, green, 4 step pads and a windshield without the braces from the windshield to gunnel.

Cutting to open the bow is far more involved than you think. I don't think it's a good idea.

 

[Lochlanner9]

My bad. After looking again it is a 65 Nassau