Cuddy -center hatch

Sean · #1 09-13-2006, 02:19 PM

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 · #2 09-13-2006, 03:07 PM

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.

reelapeelin · #3 09-13-2006, 03:36 PM

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 · #4 09-13-2006, 03:47 PM

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 · #5 09-13-2006, 03:48 PM

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

Blue_Runner · #6 09-13-2006, 03:54 PM

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 · #7 09-13-2006, 05:03 PM

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 · #8 09-13-2006, 06:30 PM

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?

Sean · #9 09-13-2006, 06:44 PM

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 · #10 09-13-2006, 10:05 PM

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?