Access hole under dash

« **on:** July 10, 2015, 07:20:56 PM »

Would it be completely horrible if I cut a small access hole under the dash to allow storage of life jackets? Other boats I've had and friends boats have them, but I wasn't sure if the hole boat would fall apart or not. I'm gonna be doing the carpet soon.

19' 76 hallett bubble deck

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« **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2015, 07:32:56 PM »

In the floor or the bow support? Cutting a hole in the bow support should be fine as long as you do rounded corners and glass the edges back in to seal the wood.

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« **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2015, 07:54:14 PM »

Yeah. Bow support. Not a huge hole. Just enough to put a few life jackets in. I

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« **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2015, 07:18:40 AM »

Halletts have a lot of foam in the bow that will need to be taken out if you plan on using the area for storage

« **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2016, 09:35:50 PM »

Just updating this thread....

I pulled the carpet and notice the access hole was already cut and as expected the bow was full of foam. For better or for worse I removed the foam. Took about 4 hours and I used a spade shovel, crowbar, sawzall, and a cats paw. Ended up filling 5 black trash bags of foam. It's slow going as you get started but eventually you get bigger chunks as you chip away.

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Last night....I was drunk for a week.

« **Reply #5 on:** April 29, 2016, 01:53:27 PM »

Hey, hope you didn't remove all foam. It does aid in floatation and strength to deck for sunbathing "Betty's" and hanging when beached. My front bulkhead was moved forward 10" to accommodate skis and other junk when used. My 2cents? Re-foam some, anyway.

« **Reply #6 on:** April 29, 2016, 06:59:23 PM »

Quote from: ghett0man on April 28, 2016, 09:35:50 PM

Just updating this thread....

I pulled the carpet and notice the access hole was already cut and as expected the bow was full of foam. For better or for worse I removed the foam. Took about 4 hours and I used a spade shovel, crowbar, sawzall, and a cats paw. Ended up filling 5 black trash bags of foam. It's slow going as you get started but eventually you get bigger chunks as you chip away.

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Last night....I was drunk for a week.

i have the same year hallet and had as much foam as you also found 6 beach balls on the end of the foam so it didn't spread all the way to the front also found the original owners keys lol everything weighed 47 lbs

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« **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2016, 10:23:24 AM »

Same here. The foam didn't fully fill the bow. It was actually loose in there moving front to back. Which was one reason I wanted to remove it. I was worried about the foam being wet in there too.

As for people being on the bow I don't let anyone lay or walk up there. My dad never let anyone do it and that "rule" stuck with me for whatever reason.

We are solely river people (Parker and bullhead). So I figure if I start taking water on I can point it towards the shore. But I am looking into some inflatable type devices to put in the bow.

Time will tell if it was a good decision or not in my situation. The added storage will be the biggest benefit. Just hoping the boat still rides good. Which from the people I talked to they said no difference.

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Last night....I was drunk for a week.

« **Reply #8 on:** April 30, 2016, 10:24:23 AM »

Quote from: brian777 on April 29, 2016, 06:59:23 PM

i have the same year hallet and had as much foam as you also found 6 beach balls on the end of the foam so it didn't spread all the way to the front also found the original owners keys lol everything weighed 47 lbs

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Brian, and difference in way the boat rides after the foam removal?

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Last night....I was drunk for a week.

« **Reply #9 on:** April 30, 2016, 11:38:10 AM »

Right-on gentlemen, hopefully I'll see you out there. Have fun.

« **Reply #10 on:** April 30, 2016, 09:39:21 PM »

Quote from: ghett0man on April 30, 2016, 10:24:23 AM

Brian, and difference in way the boat rides after the foam removal?

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Last night....I was drunk for a week.

still building the boat but I'm going to put a big tire inner tube just for the floating aspect but turning to shore and stabbing it is always going to be my first response lol

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ghett0man

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