closing in by bowrider

[pontosquantos]

hello, i am looking for advise on the best way to close in the bow of my bowrider? turning it into a cuddy.
i want to be able to take my 15' boat on the ocean without worrying about waves flooding over the bow.
will 1/2" plywood fiberglassed be strong enough to walk on? what would be the best way to fasten it down?

 

[Bondo]

Re: closing in by bowrider

hello, i am looking for advise on the best way to close in the bow of my bowrider? turning it into a cuddy.
i want to be able to take my 15' boat on the ocean without worrying about waves flooding over the bow.
will 1/2" plywood fiberglassed be strong enough to walk on? what would be the best way to fasten it down?

Ayuh,.... Even with the bow seatin' area closed in, you'd be swamped,...

Ya might wanta trade up to a bigger boat,...

 

[pontosquantos]

Re: closing in by bowrider

yea I was thinking the same thing, but I am committed to finishing it. then sell for a bigger boat.

 

[MikDee]

Re: closing in by bowrider

You need a bigger boat! You don't have enough freeboard to go out in the ocean. I wouldn't go out there in less then a 22-24' boat, and then only on a fairly calm day.

 

[gddavid]

Re: closing in by bowrider

See this guy's thread, sounds crazy to me but he seems quite content
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-restoration-building-hull-repair/1977-orrion-becoming-ocean-animal-599297.html

 

[greenbush future]

Re: closing in by bowrider

By doing this, you most likely will diminish the value, unless you really do it well. A canvas snap in cover will deflect small amounts of water and it's very reasonable. But it's still not a boat designed or big enough for safe ocean use.

 

[pontosquantos]

Re: closing in by bowrider

I'm not worried about devaluing the boat since it cost very little. here is a pic of the cover so far. I am looking for the best way to fasten it down. I'm not sure if fiberglass resin is strong enough or should I use a adhesive with mechanical fasteners?

 

[pontosquantos]

Re: closing in by bowrider

sorry about the repeat

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: closing in by bowrider

You posted 3 of the same pix

 

[jackd1023]

Re: closing in by bowrider

Personally I would make a canvas "snap on" cover. Not permanent , will deflect water without de-valuing the vessel.

 

[MikDee]

Re: closing in by bowrider

Get yourself some stainless, or monel self tapping screws, long enough to go into the fiberglass, and screw down the perimeter of the deck, then just glass in the open area's with cloth, & resin.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: closing in by bowrider

That's a quite a bit of glass work, lots of grinding work too I think, but it can be done.