foam in front of Grumman boat?

[C-Roy]

I have a 1986 15 1/2' Grumman Renegade boat. I dont have any place for storage except for under seats. A couple of lift jackets and it is full. There is a piece of carpeted plywood on front of boat where the front fishing seat is at. Does anyone know what is under there? If there is nothing I want to cut a hole and make a storage area. If there is foam does it hurt to remove it?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: foam in front of Grumman boat?

I dunno, but storage on smaller boats is always a hassle. Between the tackle boxes, lifejackets, batteries, fuel tank, tool box, fishing poles and cooler for cokes and lunch, finding a place to sit in my 14.5' trihull is always a challenge.<br /><br />I finally got two of those PVC three-rod holders and mounted 'em to the sides of the boat. That gets rid of them. Life jackets are in a plastic laundry basked with a bungee cord. Tool box fits under the side console. Batteries and fuel tank under the splash well. Tackle boxes up against the back of the seat. Feh! <br /><br />I still can't move around in the boat as easily as I'd like. I did convert the live well to storage, though. I seem to catch and release most of my fish anyhow.

 

[AJ168]

Re: foam in front of Grumman boat?

Don't remove the foam. That is meant to keep the boat afloat, even if it capsizes.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: foam in front of Grumman boat?

Nothing to stop you lifting the carpet and drilling a hole to find out.<br /><br />On a friend's boat, we drilled a hole big enough to jam a bottle cork in afterwards. It was needed, so he just put Sikafklex 292 on the cork and tapped it in.

 

[C-Roy]

Re: foam in front of Grumman boat?

The carpet is not much good. Im planning on pulling up the whole piece of plywood to replace it, as well as pull a panel off so I can secure the trolling motor better. I see one reply says the foam keeps the boat afloat. Does it help with the stability of the boat (not rocking to bad while walking in it)?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: foam in front of Grumman boat?

Nah, the foam doesn't do much about that, I'm afraid. That's hull design. The foam is there for safety, so that if the boat leaks or when you leave the plug out, it won't sink. A boat that didn't sink can be bailed out and get back to the dock. If it sinks, you're sunk.

 

[C-Roy]

Re: foam in front of Grumman boat?

Ok thats good to know. So it sounds like if there is a block of foam it would not hurt to trim it up so that a compartment can be put there. The boat seems to be very sturdy when on the water and I didnt want to take out anything to change that. I like the suggestion about keeping the life vests in a laundry basket.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: foam in front of Grumman boat?

keeping the life vests in a laundry basket.

If you do that, make sure you take a cellphone with you - so you can phone the wife to fetch the lifevests if they're needed!