has anyone opened a bow on a closed bow boat?

Lyte Skin · Outlaw Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 210 City: San Angelo, TX

I have a '91 Nautique Excel and it has a closed bow on it. We take a bunch of people with us and we run out of room quick.
there is a shop here in town that makes boats and they said they might can do it but not for sure.
I was wondering if anyone has done this, and might have some suggestions on how to do it. Or post some pics of yours that you have done. we have a tower on the boat and we are also worried about losing some strength.
any suggestions would be appreciated.

seven20 · Posted: Mar 04, 2003 4:55 pm Post subject:

dude, don't do it. you may regret it later on. if you need an open bow that bad, i would definately sell, and buy a sport if you want to stay with correct craft. It will hurt your chances of selling the boat later on, because i really think most people would have a hard time buying a boat with such modifications, but only my opinion...

Syth · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 661 City: Brentwood

I wouldnt do it, its not worth the risk

The cost of damage and repair it may take if it didnt work would probably offset the differnce in just selling and buying a open bow.

Specially if the shop says they *Might* be able to do it, chances are they havent before, u really want em to experiment with your boat?

jvanick · Posted: Mar 04, 2003 6:19 pm Post subject:

There is probably a lot of structural concerns to opening a bow on a boat that's not designed to be an openbow boat.

I agree with the others about the resale value tanking after a modification like that too...

-J

Jack V · Outlaw Joined: 19 Feb 2003 Posts: 207

Seen it done on many Malibu Response boats. They couldn't sell the closed bows so they cut the deck and put the seat in there.

mkcarte2 · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 168 City: raliegh, nc

whoa i never even thought about opening one up

jedsterr · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 291 City: Star Idaho

I almost did it to my in-laws I/O, but I bought my own V-drive instead.

I don't think it would be too much of a problem at all. I would have it be a walk-over dash. It would be concerned that hull would fatigue (not fail) if you released the dash from tying the boat together.

Plan well & then break out the saw-z-all !!!!