Can I add 3 ft to the bow and change its shape?

Hello!

Completely new to this forum and my knowledge on boats is slim. So please bare with me.
I was wondering if it’s possible to add 3 ft on the bow and change the shape to rectangular?
It’s a 2001 Crownline 180 BR. The main goal really is to just fit more people comfortably. It’s mainly used for just cruising at night and periodically, inner tubing. We’re on a private lake and the speed limit is 35mph, which is basically the max speed of the boat. Never taken it out, but if extending it is actually feasible, would likely engine upgrades in the future.

 

Sure you can.
It will look like .... bad.
It will go thru the water like ... bad.
It will resell like ... bad.

Why don't you take it out before considering something silly like this.
If you want a barge, go buy a barge.

I hope this is just trolling.

 

You can absolutely do that.. Nothing is impossible given enough time and money.
But on that size boat best to trade it on a larger one and be happier for less effort and cost.
Jeff

 

It does sound quite impractical, sounds like you need a party pontoon

 

Here is a link to five Crownline 180 BR boats for sale.
https://www.boattrader.com/boats/make-crownline/model-180-br/

They have a relatively narrow bow, with what looks like fairly cramped bow seating.
JT, I will agree absolutely with the other posters above - if you want a bigger / different boat, just sell your boat and buy something that is more suitable for what you have in mind.

If your heart is absolutely set on converting this boat into something else, you could take a Sawzall and cut it in half longitudinally, move the two halves about 3' apart, and build a bridgedeck connecting the two halves to create an asymmetric power cat....... but please don't even think about doing this! You are still better off buying a pontoon boat or another bow rider that has a larger forward seating area.

 

"You're gonna need a bigger boat" , jaws 1975. I agree with the above posts. Trying to enlarge your existing boat to carry more people would end up costing you more, and take a lot of time, and you end up with a crappy boat that may not be safe, and that you won't be able to insure or sell. Just buy a bigger boat.

 

The correct way is to buy a longer boat of the same type, and then cut off the protruding bow. In this way, you get a boat with a wider bow and the same length as your existing boat without losing any hydraulic characteristics.

 

What a senseless suggestion. Why not build a swim platform out the back, about 10'x10'.
Make it folding so the length doesn't change.
Or just tow another boat for extra capacity.

Another troll I guess.

 

He is another person who doesn't understand what goes into building a boat.