SoCal Jet Boats
Tech Talk => Hulls => Topic started by: GlassCutter on March 03, 2013, 10:14:49 AM
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[attachimg=4]I am in a love/hate relationship with my boat. It is a big pig at 23 ft. but I like her. The problem is that there is a ton of room under the deck, but not nearly enough in the passenger area. What I want to know is, just how crazy is it to cut out the dash area and move it forward about a foot. The deck is built crazy strong, I can walk on it with no flex and I go about 300 lbs with an ice chest under my arm. >:D There is no real support running from deck to floor. Sooo what I want to know is . . .
a) can this be done at all?
b) can this be done without screwing up the "balance" of the boat. I do have a diverter.
c) it would be cheaper than buying another boat, knowing that I will never be able to sell this one right?
d) any reasons not to. It kinda needs a new floor, which will probably turn into a somewhat new interior anyway?
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Sorry but I don't know how to make the pics any bigger. I tried. Samsung Galaxy III if anyone has any ideas.
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Have sawzall, will travel...
Big Pig= Party boat :thumbup:
I dont think that the balance will be too terribly upset on that size hull. How fast is it now? 50 or so? Some of them bigazz cruisers had a dinette? AND a bed in the cabin, does yours? Keeping the heavy azz ice chest near the back of the boat would help some too.
Daniel
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Most have a bulk head for support and strength
If there is nothing there, id say it can be done
Just make a plan before you start to chop
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First off, your boat IS a pig. And I get that. A pretty pig, mind you, and it would take a lot to convince me to take a sawzall to it........ and all the subsequent work to support it........
John, leave it alone. The boat is fine, your taste has changed. Personally, I think you need to be looking for a good open bow 19-20 footer. Same as Flytime, but just don't eliminate "pink" in the colors! ;)
I get that the boat has become part of the family. Imagine how hard it was to sell the Moo boat!!!
Ray
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If it ain't broke don't fix it. Leave it alone
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First off, your boat IS a pig. And I get that. A pretty pig, mind you, and it would take a lot to convince me to take a sawzall to it........ and all the subsequent work to support it........
John, leave it alone. The boat is fine, your taste has changed. Personally, I think you need to be looking for a good open bow 19-20 footer. Same as Flytime, but just don't eliminate "pink" in the colors! ;)
I get that the boat has become part of the family. Imagine how hard it was to sell the Moo boat!!!
Ray
Nah Ray you got it all wrong. Tastes haven't changed at all. I love the queen sized mattress and the wife loves ability to get out of the sun and wind, to eat, or nap, or get uhh umm frisky shall we say. >:D We rarely have more than just the 4 of us on board, we just need more room to stretch out when we are relaxing and not underway. The mattress doesn't even start for the first 18+ inches under the deck! Remember there is room for an icebox under there. There is no room to move the back seat any further back.
I hate open bow boats and would never own one. I also have the Spectra that is really only a motor and an engine cover away from running, and it is really where I should probably be spending my $$$ and time, but I do like the Wreidt a lot. You have never seen my Horizon. It is so pink Bob would demand to buy it on the spot, but it has been in the family way too long. We're talking PeptoBismol pink with a small band of Ford blue around the outside edge, so that I can keep some degree of dignity. I think my partner is going to be buried in it LOL. This "little" project would not change the lines of the boat from the sides at all. I just don't know how expensive it would be and I am pretty sure I would want a professional to do the work. Honestly I will probably have to get the Spectra rigged before doing this project so that I have something that is running. Gotta keep Momma happy.
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I say go for it. Like most guys I am never %100 satisfied with something I buy. That's why we paint or chrome or change stuff about it. Pushing the dash forward is just another one of those things. Just have also figure in re-painting it. But with a sawsall and some good triple measuring it doesn't seem that hard to me. I like doing fiberglass and Ed "Big Daddy" Roth has been an inspiration in that for me for a long time.
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Yeah the paint being solid white is a huge factor in even thinking about doing this. Plus most of the gauges don't work and the steering could use some rehab but all of those things are kinda hard to get to the way it is now.
I would have to lose the icebox though, but I have never used it other than to store life jackets in.
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This is the underside, above the 'fridge. Nothing there other than the Austin Powers fake brown fur that is peeling off. I think I sized this mo betta O0
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well first i did not read all the responses but here is mine. i think you would be re inventing the wheel. leave well enough alone if you like the boat keep it if you dont buy another one. but cutting it up to make more room is well what if you dont like what you have done???? cant put it back!
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i dont think you really have anything to worry about. i would brace everything BEFORE you start cutting so it doesnt move/sag when the structure is removed and make sure its got enough strength after. if you can cut down the middle and turn a boat into an open bow i dont see anything wrong in moving the dash around.
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I would rather see you cut a section out of the deck and put in some jumpseats.
Less work, more room.. You would lose the use of the cabin area though...
Put an outboard on it, you'll pick up an assload of room... :sly:
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Put an outboard on it, you'll pick up an assload of room... :sly:
See...now I'd have caught shit if I suggested that.
It's a big pig...you'll need a pair of outboards. Check out ebay...you can find deals on a pair of engines...LH
and RH rotation 200hp mercs. It'll run
In the 80's set up right, and you'll have plenty of room...and more $$ for drinks since it'll sip gas
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You guys are funny. No smokers No how. I'm a lower river kinda guy. If I can't see the bottom I get skeered >:D
This boat would be a wild ass ride with dual motos on the back though. I want to spend 5K not 15K though.
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GC, I'll ask my body guy what he thinks about rebuilding the dash and get back with you.
I don't think cutting and reattaching the dash panels would be too crazy, but trying to extend the inner gunnels left vacant could get ugly.
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GC, I'll ask my body guy what he thinks about rebuilding the dash and get back with you.
I don't think cutting and reattaching the dash panels would be too crazy, but trying to extend the inner gunnels left vacant could get ugly.
Keith what if you cut several inches in front of the dash then then cut out 12 inches of deck then cut the dash to narrow it slide it forward and fill in the edges. doesnt seem like it would be that bad to do
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Keith what if you cut several inches in front of the dash then then cut out 12 inches of deck then cut the dash to narrow it slide it forward and fill in the edges. doesnt seem like it would be that bad to do
I was thinking the same thing, basically pumpkin cut the dash out of the area between the gunwales, you would still have some fabricating to do, but I wouldn't think it would be too much...
Personally, I would leave it alone... You will have to move the seats, change the electrical, get longer steering, basically build a new boat...
Find a project that is similar and cut that one up... Keeps you in a running boat while your playing around... :sly:
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Seems like a lot a work for just a little gain. JMO
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I talked to Rick @ Islander Marine a few weeks ago. He gave me a rough estimate of $1500-2500 which was pretty inline with what I was hoping for. Seems a lot cheaper than a new bought and no wallet reeming because I had to firesale a boat that I still enjoy. Tack on another grand for new gauges and replacing a soft floor and I'm sitting pretty, as boat already has a new motor, tight pump, and shiny paint. O0 And it doesn't push the BBF Spectra build back to 2017 or more.
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Rick is a straight up guy and does great work!
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I say go for it! What good is a boat if it doesn't make you happy? I'd love to have the room you already have. Perhaps my next one will be a day-cruiser.