Deck Void Question

[csvencer]

On the mid 80's V's there is a void infront of the floor deck box, basically right between the where the driver and copilot sit. Has anyone ever taken a look at what is down there? Seems like a lot of wasted space?

-Svence

[Mulv80]

I have that area on my 79'. There is alot of space between the fuel tank bulkhead and the cabin bulkhead. I use the space for my fenders and other things I don't mind getting wet.

[phatdaddy]

When i redid the deck on my 83 i discovered that hugh area with nothing there & no way to access it. i installed a tempress hatch and use that for cast nets, fenders, etc. the area gets wet so you have to watch what you put there.


http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo214/gls216/DSCF0396.jpg

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo214/gls216/DSCF0397.jpg

[csvencer]

How big is the space? Are there any stringers in there or is it wide open? And how come its getting so wet in there?

-Svence

[phatdaddy]

There are stringers on both sides and the bulkhead toward the bow is under the cabin door and the rear is the front of the fish box. i'll go and get some pics... how do i get photo bucket to show the pics instgead of the link?

[phatdaddy]

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo214/gls216/DSCF0399.jpg

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo214/gls216/DSCF0398.jpg

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/oo214/gls216/DSCF0395.jpg

[phatdaddy]

first photo is the facing the stern and that is the fish box compartment(gotta be careful things like to slide up under there.
second photo is facing the cabin and the bulkhead under the door.

the only real problem i have had is the hatches don't hold up. ther is a lot of traffic and kids jumping off the cabin land on the hatch, usually change it out every couple of years.

[RWilson2526]

How big is the space? Are there any stringers in there or is it wide open? And how come its getting so wet in there?

-Svence

I would assume thats where the fish box and the drain in the cuddy all drain to and then towards the back. I bet you could make an insert to keep everything dry before installing a hatch

[phatdaddy]

RW, you are correct , sir. that part of the hull is the belly, the cabin drains into it and the bilge when the boat is at rest.

[THEFERMANATOR]

The area you guys are talking about is on outboard powered boats. The I/O's and SEA-DRIVES had the fuel tank there, and the in deck fishbox was where your gas tank is on these models. It is just simply the bilge of the boat. Any water that gets in through the anchor area or through the cabin runs through there. Or any water in your bilge can slosh up there while running.

Here's the deck of my SEA-DRIVE. You can see the tank hatch is furthur forward, and there is a big fish box/livewell behind it.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t271/THEFERMANATOR/HPIM0070.jpg

[csvencer]

That looks like a perfect spot for a fresh water tank....hmmm now I gotta get the guts to cut up the deck.

Thanks for the pics guys.

-Svence

[phatdaddy]

I agree, i had to replace my deck under both pedestals and back to the fish box,I should have put in a tank when i had the deck up, but didn't think about it. i added the hatch later and the opening was too small to get a decent tank in there by then. i ended up putting in 2 saddle tanks in the gunnells under the rod boxes and the pump in the bilge. the tanks only hold about 6 gallons, but it is sure nice....

[woodbutcher]

So if I am understanding you gents correctly there is a void in the belly of the boats. Is this true on the center consoles also? I have a spot in front of the console I have been wondering about. If possable I would like to put almost anything in there that will bring the center of ballance foward on the hull. Would it be big enough to relocate the tank there. that way I could lower the floor inside the console and relocate the bateries there bringing more weight off the transom area where I would like to put a livewell system.

[phatdaddy]

not sure of a center console. i know some of them had casting decks forward & some not , on the cuddy you've got the well in the cabin and the small locker forward on the v berth.

[Stillrunning]

So if I am understanding you gents correctly there is a void in the belly of the boats. Is this true on the center consoles also? I have a spot in front of the console I have been wondering about. If possable I would like to put almost anything in there that will bring the center of ballance foward on the hull. Would it be big enough to relocate the tank there. that way I could lower the floor inside the console and relocate the bateries there bringing more weight off the transom area where I would like to put a livewell system.

I have an 83 CC and I have a soft spot in that area that I will be fixing this spring and I'll let you know whats under there.

[bsteckel]

great!!! i also have a cc ('85) and have the same soft spot just forward of the seat/cooler. where you would put your feet if you were sitting on the seat in front of the center console..

let me know what you find .. or if i tear mine up first, i will post.

this seems to be the area above the gas tank??? that may be why it is soft?

[woodbutcher]

I had a conversation with a friend today about that space he not only assured me that it was hollow and I could relocate my tank up there. my boat is an 87' there is no soft spot so for this year I am going to fix the ttop and put a new tank in the belly under the console where the factory installed it.in nov. when the bottom fishing here dies off I will have has some seatime in the boat and will be able modify things the way I want them. (weight foward in the bildge)in the mean time it looks like I am going to convert a spare cooler into a livewell.

[randlemanboater]

Someone on here has already done the tank relocate on a CC........BuilderFL maybe?

Nope, it was Kamikaze.

http://wellcraftv20.com/community/showthread.php?t=4914&highlight=builderfl+gas+tank

[reelapeelin]

Hey Phat...great use of found space!!..,.could ya put a flat bottom side to side across the V of the the bilge that would be at about the same level as the bottom of the fish-box...would make a dryer (not DRY) space of it and keep things from getting under the fish-box...and if ya remade the hatch-lid of starboard, the you'll never have to replace it again...cut that inside turned up lip away and looks like you could use 3/4"...I've got a piece I THINK would do that for ya...if ya wanna measure it and let me know, I'll check it out...:sun:

[phatdaddy]

thanks reel. i was actually talking to vic(fishful thinking) and he is doing a project now with some Ipe wood. it is the same stuff he made my dash out of. we were talking about making a hatch out of that. i thought about putting a false bottom in but never got around to it, now i just store things in square detergent buckets. if i can't hook up with vic, I'll let you know. thanks again.

[woodbutcher]

I like what Kamakazi did, however I was refering to the48" section of floor I have from the frount of my console to the step up for the casting deck. Today I got the wiring under the console stripped oout and pulled up the fuel cover. You can see from the pics that there is a bulkhead in front of the tank area with a hole cut into it. This area is empty up to the next bulkhead 16".
My current tank however is only 48" long so I am debating on a longer tank that will hold 55 gal instead of 40 like I have. If I go with the longer one I will move it further foward.

[Skools Out]

here's a layout of the stringers well in a 78 at least.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/WellCraft/P1010006.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/WellCraft/P1010005.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/WellCraft/P1010004.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/WellCraft/P1010001.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/WellCraft/P1010002.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/WellCraft/P1010003.jpg