Cuddy cabin modification

[zubi561]

Hello everyone. I'm a newbie to boating and have an engineering-type question. I've searched old posts on this site and haven't found anything relating to this. (I'm hoping that's not due to the fact that it's a stupid question).<br /><br />I have a 1983 Renken 2100 with a cuddy cabin. Right now the cabin area is a waste of space since I don't venture in there much and don't really want to start storing stuff in there.<br /><br />Is it possible to cut some portion of the top of it off and make it a walk-through area without destroying the structural integrity? Any remodeling books or websites you can point me to?

 

[salty87]

Re: Cuddy cabin modification

generally, you're heading into unchartered waters when you start modifying the hull like that, unless you're lucky enough to find someone who's already tried with your type of boat.<br /><br />i've never dug around the hull of a cuddy but i could see how the enclosed roof could provide a bunch of support to the hull. you might end up with a junk hull when you're done.<br /><br />if it meant that much to me, i'd probably sell and buy a different boat.<br /><br />but, keep asking, and welcome to the site.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Cuddy cabin modification

Me, I am not afraid to dive in and start modifying. That being said, I have to echo what has been said about selling and finding a boat that is more what you are looking for. The problem with doing a lot of modifying is you can end up with an end result that you might not ever be able to sell. You can click my link, see what I did. I do not know that anyone would ever buy my boat for a decent price if I was to ever sell it, so I am just going to keep doing with it as I see fit, and down the road if it is used up so be it. Your boat still has value. Clean it up real nice, get the cash, and buy what suits you better, or you can end up with a boat that is only valuable to you.<br /><br />I am not quite sure what you are wanting to do, but just realize that any modification to a boats hull must take into account torsional twist loads, latteral bending loads etc. You do not want to be in a boat that could come apart when cruising at speed though heavy chop. My project ended up more structurally sound afterwards due to how I did it, you may not be as lucky. Hope this helps. Good luck...

 

[zubi561]

Re: Cuddy cabin modification

Salty87 and JasonJ,<br /><br />I appreciate your thoughts on this problem. It made me realize that this will not be the only boat I will own, and that the next one will have more open space for what I really like to do - fishing. <br /><br />I will keep this boat the way it is in order to be able to sell it when the time comes.<br /><br />Thanks again!

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Cuddy cabin modification

On the other hand a simple hatch cover out in the middle of the cuddy top can improve the cuddy by letting in lots of light and fresh air. That's not a huge job to do and shouldn't be bad for structure or resale unless installed incorrectly.

 

[baileys]

Re: Cuddy cabin modification

hi i have a shetland 535 which is 17ft5 long of which the cabin takes up half the boat and we fish quite comfy on it one thing we do is take minible stuff with us and limit how many people we take and the use of the babin comes in handy for shelter and storage when we finish because it locks up