Making cover to make open bow into cuddy

[CodyGrizz]

Have a 20' open bow Bayliner. I was throwing around the idea of making a cover to make it look like a closed bow out of glass. Any thoughts?

I was thinking something out of mesh for the form, glass it in, sand it out, bondo, then primer paint. Maybe use a hook system to attach? Thoughts? Ideas?

Also redoing my interior and was going to make the rear from 2 seats with a doghouse into a bench seat with a big sun deck. Well I want something easier to get in and out so thinking of making the sun deck a carpeted deck. Maybe use a snap in pad for when I want it as a layout deck. I am in the Coast Guard Aux and wanted a functional boat for that, so the carpeted deck was an idea. I also was thinking of doing the same with the bow. Then when I wanted, throwing on the bow cover.

Yeah..I have too much time on my hands..

 

[TriadSteeler]

Re: Making cover to make open bow into cuddy

Why not. Sounds like a really interesting project.

Will you be able to raise the console to support the additional rise needed for the cuddy and in doing so would it make the boat too topheavy and affect handling?

 

[CodyGrizz]

Re: Making cover to make open bow into cuddy

I have a Bayliner Capri runabout, with an open bow. What I am thinking is if I take some heavy duty mesh and bend it to the curve I want (It wouldnt be much of a curve) and get it where I wanted, all I would have to do is a few layers of mat over the mesh. Sand it smooth, bondo, sand, primer, paint. Then for connections..not sure yet. Some sort of underhook in the front and a few hooks in the rear so it would be easy to remove. I wouldnt really have any room under there for anything, its just the look I was after (and then no one could sit in front of me..they always get in my way!!

I almost considered actually taking out the seat and risers up front and making it full time sealed in.but that was just too much effort, be easier to just buy a cuddy. But I love the lines of my boat and I miss the closed bow of my Baja. Ugh!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Making cover to make open bow into cuddy

cody why not just make a vinyl bow cover, it will serve the same purpose. and look more original to the boat. they were available as an option when the boat was new. for use in heavy water. if i'm not wrong those seats are there as part of the structural strength of the bow.

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Making cover to make open bow into cuddy

Do you know how much weight it will add to the boat? Your boat may not be designed to carry that much added weight, and might be too front heavy. If thats not going to be a problem, then I think its a great idea

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Making cover to make open bow into cuddy

i agree with all the other stuff you want to put on it. if you are planning to boat in the St Johns, it can get very rough very quickly. the reason being is that the down town chanel is over 70 feet deep. but the average depth of the river is only 10 feet. don't get close to shore in the big parts, or you will damage a prop.

 

[CodyGrizz]

Re: Making cover to make open bow into cuddy

I dont think it would be too heavy to put a fiberglass cover on. I had a snap on cover for it, lost it in the move. Thought of maybe using a piece of carpeted wood so you could stand up front easier. It would be for when I use it on patrol's for the Coast Guard Aux.

I am just one of those guys who always wants to change things, always want to try new things. I like when people see the boat, KNOW its a Bayliner Capri but have never seen one like it. I know the bench seat and captains chairs will be a good start (and WHY do those dern seats cost so dang much?!?!?!) but wanted to change up the front. Maybe if I made it a 1 piece seating area, no walk through, would allow me to build a sub box under the tunnel it would create and maybe add a step to it..might be different.

And speaking of the St Johns..Tashas, do you know where one can get a "pilot book" for the area that says markers, speeds, navigation (so I know what ties into what) etc for our area?

 

[flashback]

Re: Making cover to make open bow into cuddy

Hi Cody, yep too much time.. d so I thought I would throw some additional thoughts your way.. I have an old CC scorpion 21 ft. that has a cuddy but the windshield is walk thru and the cuddy has a sliding hatch in two pieces that slides forward to give you walk thru access to the bow. it works great for setting an anchor or getting to a bow line at the dock.. personally I would leave the jump seats in the back tho.. I like the access to the stern..

 

[CodyGrizz]

Re: Making cover to make open bow into cuddy

Thanks for the ideas. I will still have plenty of access with the bench seat/sun deck..more so in fact I feel. Plus it will place the weight of passengers closer to the center, that will help I am sure. I think with going from 2 jump seats and 2 fold down seats too bench seat and 2 captains chairs I will actually be lighter by a little and have the weight sitting nicer. I think I might just make the bow a solid piece and go with the bow cover idea. I am painting the boat bright white I think so I am sure I could find a bow cover like I had in a bright white. Assuming I could match colors..it might be cool. I WANTED to paint it blue, but dont think I could match covers (although blue boat with white interior/covers look niiiiiiice!)

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Making cover to make open bow into cuddy

maptec.com , has free downloadable charts. i was born in jax. 58 years ago, been on the river since 5 y/o. i've learn the river and navigation points, by use. night navigation, by radio towers, and skyline. there is an area around the Dames Points bridge, (mill cove) it looks wonderful for boating and watersports. but at high time only average 2 feet deep, low times the sandbars are exposed. unfortunately there are areas not marked that have lots of snags, and rotted off pilings. the area going into Goodbies Lake, is littered with old piling, and only a very narrow channel is marked. this is the access to the new ramp at San Jose Blvd, and Baymeadows Blvd. the same for the area coming out of Doctors Lake in Orange Park. in the old days there have been lots of boat damaged of lost in these areas. my dad 'hole' a boat in the Orange Park area, years ago. if you want to get together for a little history , send me a PM. or my email by clicking my name.

 

[CodyGrizz]

Re: Making cover to make open bow into cuddy

went to maptecH.com and will look for maps. lol, you didnt have an H on the link and i was on some forign page trying to figgure out what I needed!

Thanks for the link though. I cant believe no one in the area puts out a map..I plan on putting a spare computer on my boat for my MP3s so maybe I could add a GPS and marine map program..who knows. Yeah..too much time obviously. But all the work gives me a reason to do a 4.3 or 5.0 swap..or will make it easier to trade for a bigger boat!!