Cuddy to Open bow

[produceguy]

The wife just told me that after 3 years of owning our cuddy she would like an open bow.
I love our old boat and don't want to get rid of it so I thought off converting it to an open bow.
Any good suggestions on the stringer or bulk head designs that might give this cuddy a chance to become an open bow.
I'm good at glassing and modifing so I feel like it's doable, if I can figure out the structure and not cause the hull to collaspe in or out on itself.

Know of anyone that has done this?

Thanks guys

[ACuttle]

I've seen it done but often without any thought for stiffness or strength.

Your options would depend a lot on whether the cuddy is structural or not and how much force is passing through it. Your best bet would be to ask the question of the original designer.

Do you have any details & images of the boat?

[PAR]

Produceguy, it would be helpful if you provided enough data for some reasonable responses, such as year, make and model of the boat, also some photos would be beneficial.

Yes, it can be done and it's very likely the hull you have also had a bow rider option (different deck cap mold). When preforming this conversion yourself, it's often difficult to make the transition from molded factory finishes to home built bow seating area.

[produceguy]

Thanks guys. It's a 88 mach 1 challenger and they did make an open bow that year as well as the cuddy. I'll see if I can get some pics up.

I wasn't thinking the mold route, more of making a frame with some good ext ply and alot of glassing along with with some new support to the hull.

[produceguy]

Trying to get this pic thing figured out so please bare with me.

[produceguy]

Here is a pic of the same model and year with the open bow.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/boa/2593035734.html