A new project...

Hi all.

Fresh newbie here.
I've bitten the bullet after several years on being without a sailing dinghy and bought a renovation project.

I have a 4m unknown manufacturer fibre hull. It needs everything bar the steering controls... now I have done some research and reading etc so know what I'm I'm about to embark on... and no stranger to getting stuck in. But I have a few questions that I hope someone will be able to guide me on.

Firstly... anyone know what the make and model is? I will provide more pics but the boat has been stripped and primed. Theres no markings from what I can tell.

Secondly... does anyone think it's possible to cut away the fore deck to open it out and have a seat up there? Likely to only be used as a family day craft at not particularly high speeds.. but I know this will affect strength... any opinions, thoughts and experience greatly appreciated. I may be thinking something very stupid (highly likely) and would rather be told no now before I attempt it.

 

Possible. Cuddy cabin boats and bow riders share the same basic hull. The cap portion is the main difference.

You will be adding a fair amount of structure for the bow seating and side panels.

 

That was my gut feeling... just need to work out how to go about it now... might get the floor sorted first as that will hold a lot the rigidity. Going to try and create a console out of where the current steering wheel is then a small seat forward of that. A small storage locke right up front.

Beats trying to find the correct replacement windscreen.

 

As tpenfield said the thwarts and supports are going to tie into the topsides. Probably just above where the chine sweeps up towards the bow. You'll probably change the trim of the boat, especially with a person or maybe a large dog up front but an outboard with power trim should be able to deal with that. Looks like a fun boat. Good luck with her.

 

Here is a video of such a conversion. Bigger boat than yours though . . .

 

That's ace. Tha is for finding that! Definitely makes me think it's worth doing

 

4 meters is pretty small for a bow rider, if the bow dips running down the face of a boat wake, she might lose her composure, with a bit of weight up there. What is the transom deadrise angle ?

 

Keep in mind that the boat you posted a picture of does not have much freeboard, so it is really meant for protected waters. Adding weight to the bow will make it even more so.

 

The angle is about 20 degrees... but that's using a mobile phone app so unsure of accuracy...

It just seems a bit of a wasted space. Even if only used when stationary. This was my thoughts for trying to make it useable. Even just a small bench seat or storage on one side or at the front.

I knew it wouldnt be a straight forward yes...

 

20 degrees is pretty steep for a small boat, I only asked because I imagined any bow steer might be worse with a shallow vee aft.

 

Its stuff like that... that's good to know...

Not a straightforward idea then... probably best to keep it as it is.

Maybe worth getting it sorted as it is and then play around with additional bow weight to see how it reacts before doing anything drastic.

 

Now that's a good idea you have, put some sand bags up in the nose and drive it around a bit, and especially drive down the face of some boat wakes.