To cut or not to cut? open bow...

[chrisf695]

I would like to add some extra storage in my open bow on my Powerplay... so since Im re-doing the whole open bow, though it would be a good idea to add a little extra storage in the front middle. Or at least some extra cup holders...

But this got me thinking... why wouldn't they just add it here anyway? This closed for structural purposes? I don't want to make the mistake of cutting this and figure out that its for a reason.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: To cut or not to cut? open bow...

That is what takes the most pounding and if something is hit-- there 1st. If it were not needed for strength there would be storage or an anchor locker there.

I would like to add some extra storage in my open bow on my Powerplay... so since Im re-doing the whole open bow, though it would be a good idea to add a little extra storage in the front middle. Or at least some extra cup holders...

But this got me thinking... why wouldn't they just add it here anyway? This closed for structural purposes? I don't want to make the mistake of cutting this and figure out that its for a reason.

View attachment 193162

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: To cut or not to cut? open bow...

I disagree: I think it is closed because it costs more to cut the opening, surround it with aluminum, and fabricate a cover. Just like cars, boats are designed around a specific price point. If it were my boat and I wanted more storage I would put a hatch in the floor and an anchor locker in the bow. But just remember: If you take water over the bow, it will run down through the hatch cover and MAY collect somewhere you don't want it rather than going back to the bilge. So, you may also need to make a drain for the forward part if the hull.

 

[salty87]

Re: To cut or not to cut? open bow...

are you talking about under the very front seat like on the sides? is it walled off? my open bow has a partition between the areas that isn't structural in any way other than to support the seats. since it's not an exposed area, i'd take a peak. if it turns out that you can't for some reason use that space you can always glass the hole closed with the piece you cut out. beveling it like cutting the top of pumpkin for a jack-o-lantern will make re-glassing the easiest.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: To cut or not to cut? open bow...

Frank has it right about the manufacturing cost factor. You might not have much room there anyway because of the Vee of the hull under there. Having said that You won't cause any structural problems by adding some storage there if there really is enough room to make it worthwhile/IMHO.

 

[chrisf695]

Re: To cut or not to cut? open bow...

Ive decided to just leave it how it is... Thought it over and like some of you said... rather not have water going down to where ever it leads to. Probably not that much room there anyway. Thanks for the comments.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: To cut or not to cut? open bow...

Boats are made of two major pieces. The bottom of the hull and the cap. Foam is usually sealed between the deck (under the cap) and the keel area. That needs to stay sealed as foam can absorb water. The cap adds side to side strength to keep the hull from getting wider and splitting open. If you cut away some of the cap, you must maintain the side-to-side strength.

So don't cut open the floatation chamber and don't weaken the cap, and you will be OK.

 

[markheck1]

Re: To cut or not to cut? open bow...

I can't speculate on the structural integrity of your boat, but on My old Chris Craft there is a Deck plate in the horizontal section of the bow, under the bow cushion, as well as a a rectangular hole in the front behind the bow seat back. Not sure how you would get to the front Nav light and or front bow eye otherwise.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: To cut or not to cut? open bow...

Ive decided to just leave it how it is... Thought it over and like some of you said... rather not have water going down to where ever it leads to. Probably not that much room there anyway. Thanks for the comments.

Good decision, I think if you did cut it you'd be digging out valuable floatation foam to put in whatever it was you wanted to put in.

 

[NYBo]

Re: To cut or not to cut? open bow...

I can't, er, fathom couple of cup holders causing any structural problems.