I am working on my winter project which is a 15' 1968 Chrysler Del Ray. It is a closed bow, and I would like to open it up. I have been searching the forums and came accross some info regarding weight distribution up front when opening a closed bow. My question is, if I open the bow, is it unsafe to have people ride up front while on plane? I would leave the support braces on either side of the hull in the very front were it V's. Other than that, the only other support is the part I am wanting to remove, which is no more than a sheet of aluminum attached to the boat cap. I am wanting to accomodate 2 seats and a casting deck.
I also have another question, when I took the deck and foam out I noticed there were no stringers in the boat, nor a bilge area or drainage area. The only drain holes in the transom were for the splash well. Should I build a bilge area into the new flooring or simply rebuild as is? If I add an area in it would seem to me the hull would be significantly weaker due to the boats reliance on the foam. I know a lot of people argue the foam has no structural use for boats, but this boat certainly uses the foam for structural purposes.
I also have another question, when I took the deck and foam out I noticed there were no stringers in the boat, nor a bilge area or drainage area. The only drain holes in the transom were for the splash well. Should I build a bilge area into the new flooring or simply rebuild as is? If I add an area in it would seem to me the hull would be significantly weaker due to the boats reliance on the foam. I know a lot of people argue the foam has no structural use for boats, but this boat certainly uses the foam for structural purposes.
