Boat Conversion

[saabnob]

I have a 1989 Sea Ray 200 Cuddy, I'm wondering if anyone out here has tried to convert a cuddy into a bow rider. If so how difficult, and is there structural issues to be concerned about. Family is growing and need more room

[marshmat]

Boats like this are often offered from the factory as a choice of BR or cuddy configuration. The fibreglass deck/liner of most boats is structural, and in a bowrider, extra reinforcement is added in key areas to make up for the lack of a full foredeck. So the conversion's more complicated than just cutting a gap in the foredeck- yes it is pretty difficult, and yes there are major structural issues. I think if you want a bowrider, you'd be better off to clean and polish the Sea Ray, sell it, and buy a bowrider of comparable size and price.

[saabnob]

Thanks Matt, I assumed that cuting a hole in the deck would not be a weekend job. I could give her a spit polish and shine in the weekend though. I can now show this to the wife to justify a new boat.

By the way, have you heard of a new boat seat by Attwood called VisionAir I've got a lot of design and development into making this seat. Its going to be the wave of the future in high end performance seating.