Extra Cuddy Storage

[Skipper Sean]

Working on my Galaxy and was thinking... would it be cool to make more storage under the cushion areas since I will have to change the deck etc, etc. my question is will it hurt not to have as much foam in this area? I?m not going make them real deep and foam again underneath them but there won?t be the same amount as there was. Has anyone done this?

 

[Scott Danforth]

the amount of foam normally in a boat is marginal at best. I prefer to add extra vs removing because you always have more stuff in the boat. the foam is there to keep the boat afloat enough so you can retrieve it should it sink.

there are formula for the cubic area of foam required to support the weight your boat should it be called upon to do so.

 

[Skipper Sean]

there are formula for the cubic area of foam required to support the weight your boat should it be called upon to do so.

Can I use a foam with a higher density in those areas to make up for it. From what you stated I?m guessing no. And thanks so much for the feedback

 

[zool]

It wont hurt you to remove some foam to make room for stowage. The foam was required by the manufacturer but it isnt for backyard builders..plus there isnt foam police, but if you're really concerned about it, just add some foam board elsewhere to make up for it or add redundant bilge pumps.

 

[Scott Danforth]

higher density foam is less buoyant than low density foam.

 

[Ned L]

higher density foam is less buoyant than low density foam.

Correct, ... there is no way to "make up" for less foam.
The foam is there to give you something to hold onto if the boat swamps (the boat). If you don't care that your boat ends up on the bottom of the lake when you need something to hang onto then go for it.

 

[kcassells]

I'm with Zool on this..add'l storage is nice. The flotation is necessary so keep some life jackets in the fishwell. {move em out when you catch some fish** Half the time these old boats foam are already compromised.
You will need to throw out the fish if you start to get swamped. Heck the new wells may have been an option from the mfg in the first place so go take a look if you can find anything.
But of course my byline below gets me off the hook. BTW you may be overfoamed...like Scott says there is a calc.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if your cuddy is built anything like mine was, when I replaced the bulkhead forward of the motor, I had two compartments that were 6' long, about 14" wide and about 16" deep that were not used. They were intended for the water tank and a few other things that my boat did not have

So.....I made two 55 quart coolers, mounted them and have an access hatch in the floor for each one. they will hold ice all weekend, and I added drains that I ran to the bilge. I pull the plugs when I get back to the dock and pull the garboard plug

I did foam them in place too adding foam because there is a bunch of areas on the boat that should have been foamed

 

[Skipper Sean]

After some exploratory demolition there is only this much foam on each side of the cuddy. the front center of the Bow has a similar blob like this. So i think i can put some storage on each side and be able to make up for foam towards the front of the boat.

 

[kcassells]

psst. big deal amount of foam there from the factory. Go for it.

 

[redneck joe]

Yep add it

 

[Skipper Sean]

Yes!!! think I may add a cooler on one side with drainage tubes as Scott Danforth had mentioned. I will hopefully get some more time on her this weekend. towed her out of the storage building and down to my shop just going to finish cutting up the deck and dig out wet foam.

 

[chevymaher]

Mine has side panels/shelves under the side upholstery. I been calling them armrest because that is what they look like with the upholstery out. They were 1/3 filled with foam. I am going to enclose the front of them with the left over 1/4 plywood I got. And completely fill them. I am a big believer in the foam myself. Strength, flotation, and makes it quieter to the water pounding on the hull. I see no downside to adding as much as you can get in there.

 

[Skipper Sean]

@chevymaher
There is a blob like the one I have posted in the center front section of the bow I think if I make the storage area down to the top of the stringer I can still fill the voids with the foam plus, I can pack a bunch more foam in the front section then the manufacturer did. Because it seems like the Admiral likes to bring junk we don?t really need so I need somewhere to chuck it so we don?t trip over it all day.

 

[chevymaher]

@chevymaher
There is a blob like the one I have posted in the center front section of the bow I think if I make the storage area down to the top of the stringer I can still fill the voids with the foam plus, I can pack a bunch more foam in the front section then the manufacturer did. Because it seems like the Admiral likes to bring junk we don’t really need so I need somewhere to chuck it so we don’t trip over it all day.

That is what I was hinting at. There are places to make up for it and more if you look.

My Admiral is like that to. It was easier to move into the new house 10 years ago than to go on a weekend trip she packs so much. I am lucky there my boat has a glove box 2 foot deep and storage everywhere on the boat. Under the 2 bow seat is major storage. It will definiately be 15 mph faster if I take the boat by myself. I don't argue anymore just let her do what she has got to do. And I just roll my eyes back. If the Admiral isn't happy nobody is happy. As I get older I learned.

 

[kcassells]

Well lets go...wheres da pics?

 

[Skipper Sean]

Well lets go...wheres da pics?

Too busy working on old cars, I’m gonna hit the boat project hard here in a couple of weeks. I do have a couple of pics to throw op of engine removal that?s about it