Here's what I'm thinking

[willy]

Kamikaze, I believe that MJ is correct about it being in the liner and not part of the hull, but I believe it does add rigidity to the hull forward. It is a question that I would post to BS and get his take on it.
But thinking about what you want to do, you could still add rigidity to the area by going down the side and across the floor, under it, and up the other side. Sort of like you see the Maycrafts and similar with the supports protruding out slightly the whole length of the boat along the sides.
How will you do it to seal the liner and keep its integrity once you cut it out?