Cuddy -center hatch

[Sean]

Looking around the gallery I noticed a few of the boats (reelapeelin to be exact) that the cuddy floor and the center compartment are not separated. RP you have a cooler placed there. Is that a modification you made or is that just the design of the boat? I would like to utilize that space, which is know wasted to me because of the small hatch. I know I can put a bigger hatch, but I would like to have them as one especially for the cooler. But I don’t want to go cutting anything that could be a structural support for my boat with out running it by the experts. ;D
Thanks!!!

[macojoe]

the cooler is just in there, there is nothing to mod for that.

Here is mine, I added the cover to the floor, but the hatch was there when I got th boat, is that what you are talking about??

I have a tool box and a safty box in there, there was a toliet when I got the boat, but I removed it.

That hole now holds my lunch cooler and all the trash we guys make thur out the day.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album94/559_G.jpg

[reelapeelin]

Sean, when I put mine together I knew I wanted a permanent insulated fish-box somewhere in the boat...that cooler FIT right into the opening like it was MADE for it...after that, all I did was cut a hatch-lid outta Starboard to fit the opening and curve around the corners of the cooler...also had to attach Starboard "lip" around inside of opening to support the lid...7 years ago and it couldn't have worked out better...I don't even have to take the cooler out to clean it as the drain hole flows into the hatch and out the hatch's drain hole...just brush it and flush it, prop it open to let dry...hope this helps... ;) ...

[Sean]

My main question is, Between my cuddy and my center compartment there is a wall, I want to remove that to make the area bigger. Does that make sense?

[Sean]

On your two boats the cuddy floor/compartment seems to come out further into the boat to allow mre storage.

[Blue_Runner]

Guys, Shawn has a '79, which is laid out differently. I haven't seen this wall you are talking about removing, but I don't think I'd remove it if I were you.

Pictures might help the experts to judge this better that I can sight unseen.

[Sean]

I'll try and take some pictures tonight.

Hmmm, ::) maybe instead of removing the wall/seperater, i can cut the center hatch big enought to fit the ice box.. I dont think it would stick up to much.

It kills me all day dreaming up (and borrowing from you guys ;D ) diffrent ideas to customize the boat to be most ifficient for what i need it to be. But better here then @ home with a 12 pack and a skill saw, I could wake up in alot of trouble !

[macojoe]

Yes you can cut the wall, but you are not going to gain much!!
This is were the V of the hull starts and there isn't much there!!

Here is a pic from Jeff's redo and you can see an inside view from the front.
Mesure from the hole inside the cuddy to tje wall, I bet you do get anough to make it worth your wild?

http://syncboard.com/albums/Boat-Tackle-Box/DSC00289.jpg

[Sean]

I actually was thinking of the other wall, the one right @ the entrance to the cabin @ the floor. My center hatch/compartment goes between the two seets all the way under the deck to the cabin, then there is a divider, then the cuddy floor compartment opens up.

[macojoe]

All I can say is PICTURES!!!

To really see what you are talking about and what you want to do??

I have a 1975, and I am ot sure what you are saying?

[Airslot]

Until the pics arrive...About 1977 they created the in floor lievewell between the seats. Prior to that there was a well that ran from between the seats all the way into the cabin. I think he wants to recreate that on his slightly newer model.

Airslot

[Sean]

Airslot hit the nail on the head, or how ever you say that ::)

That is exactly what I was thinking.

Not 100% on doing it, just a idea..

[willy]

Sean I think I know what your talking about and from what I remember seeing that is a bulk head on the cuddy's. Talk with someone real knowledgable before you cut it, it is a main support for the heavier weight of the cuddy boats.

[macojoe]

Well if you cut it and then add some support under the bulk heads you should be ok

[Sean]

Alright, I charged up the camera and took some picks..

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k159/sreilly_2006/interior1-1.jpg

There is a litle hatch, and under it is a compartment that runs all the way to the cuddy ddor.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k159/sreilly_2006/interior2.jpg

I was thinking of cutting the wall/bariier under the door the seperates the compartment and the cudy floor.

Know I just think I am going to make the hatch bigger so I can fit a cooler/fish box in that space, and the space in the cuddy drop another smaller cooler for bait...

Sorry for the goose chase and I hope this clears ir up

[willy]

Yes it does and first of all I think I know what your problem is, your boat is sideways will make it hard to make any headway in the water ;D

But you can disregard what I said about the cutting of the bulkhead because you won't be touching that. You might find a drain run in there but you should be able to cut there to the width of the stringers and re-glass it for the compartment your talking about. Unless anyone else here has seen that year with the floor removed and knows of other runs or structures in there.

[willy]

Also something to think about You can do what you want and not have to add a cooler but instead insulate the compartment, there was a post recently about someone doing that with the fishbox on later model boats and tie into the run for drainage that comes out of your cuddy area and plug a la Reel Appellin

[Sean]

I was thinking of insulating the box, but this way the cut out will be the exact size of the cooler, Iwill also make a hatch, so I can keep the remaing compartment ( it flares out) for storage if i di not need the fish box, cooler.
Sort of just brain storming diffrent ideas. And running them by the experts.
THanks again....

[msbhammer]

Thanks for the pics, but I pinched he nerve in my neck again trying to tilt my head sideways to see the pics. :P :P

[willy]

Sean I would be leary of making anything that will raise the floor area there if that is what your think might happen. It is an important and well traveled area and you might be making a impedement to easy manuevering, say if your super model needs a refill for a cocktail or something :)

[Sean]

Super Models........

See, I knew you guys knew everything..

Got to remember the Super Models..... :P

I like super models

[willy]

They do grow on you ;)