Deck Void Question

[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]

[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]

Originally Posted by 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

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.

[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.