I posed this question a few weeks ago and received good information via PM. I'm posting again with a different idea. The original idea was to mount a bucket in front of the forward bulkhead as Old Growth did. Can't do that on a new boat as the bulkhead is now glassed into place. The next idea was to build a locker aft of the bulkhead. This is do-able but would cost us some space. Now I'm wondering about cutting an 11x15" hole in the bulkhead, removing enough foam, glass the bottom, install through-hull and covering the hole with a hatch cover. I have a call in to Fluid Marine about this to make sure our warranty would remain intact.Have not heard back from them yet. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
16 C ANCHOR LOCKER II
- Thread starter ramos
- Start date
Matt Gurnsey
New member
Removal of the foam will affect the ability fo the boat to remain afloat if swamped, whihc is a USCG requirement for boats built this size. What you do after you own the boat is up to you.
I just point this out.
I just point this out.
I realize what you are saying is true. However, the stern would go down first with the weight of the motor.The foam that would be removed would be from the ceiling down to about 4" above the v-berth deck. Volume would be equivalent to 7-8 gallons maximum. Loss of floatation would be no more than 70 lbs. If it is that close to sinking, it's probably gone anyway. I'm not trying to be nonchalant about safety, just realistic. The loss of buoyancy by adding a kicker and extra fuel would be greater than this project.
It would be very easy to add more foam (even more floatation than what was removed) under the gunnels, so that the boat would float upright--which is certainly better than bow up, or upside down--as many do.
I don't see a problem structurally. Modifying these boats is one of the pleasures of ownership.
CG will not "ticket" you for lack of floatation.
I don't see a problem structurally. Modifying these boats is one of the pleasures of ownership.
CG will not "ticket" you for lack of floatation.
