Glad I did. There was nothing in there but the bottom of the boat. Also there were areas that I could see daylight along the connection with the base of the cabin, so any flotation it might have once provided was probably quite temporary, at best.
No evidence a drop of water was ever in there either. I put (2) 10 5/8 x 14 1/2 cut out (13 x17 3/8 finished) tempress double cam lock waterproof hatches in about 6" back from the cabin and 5" in from the edge. One on each side and a good location. Easy to bend up the rear of the cushion and access hatch and mostly in the head/shoulder area if you were laying on them. It could probably use a third hatch up in the bow point for things you would not need often (as it would be somewhat more difficult to lift the single cushion there).
I like the ideas of others to add styrofoam blocks. Hope it doesn't squeak! I have numerous extra life jackets and a couple of those big foam pool floats we often bring to the lake that can go in there too. Might absorb some of that hollow drum sound as well.
NOTES.
The top of the birth is balsa core 1/4 balsa sandwiched beteen a 1/8 top and 1/16 glass boottom. I used 3/4 x 14 SS tap screws and 4200 for the install. To do again I'd probably try to use 1/2 or 5/8" fasteners as the 3/4 just went through enough to leave a sharp point, that i may go back and dab with sealant. I don't think the screws will do much holding more than squeeze it down until the sealant cures. Don't over tighten.
There is about a 2" gap at the bottom of the well where the front cabin floor free floats above the hull (easy for small stored stuff to roll under and be a big pain to retreive). I solved that by squishing a couple of pool noodles into that gap (light and Float). I think filling that under floor with 2 part foam might possibly be another good solution but i still like that it can breath and flow if it needs to.
Provides quite a bit of extra storage.
chris
No evidence a drop of water was ever in there either. I put (2) 10 5/8 x 14 1/2 cut out (13 x17 3/8 finished) tempress double cam lock waterproof hatches in about 6" back from the cabin and 5" in from the edge. One on each side and a good location. Easy to bend up the rear of the cushion and access hatch and mostly in the head/shoulder area if you were laying on them. It could probably use a third hatch up in the bow point for things you would not need often (as it would be somewhat more difficult to lift the single cushion there).
I like the ideas of others to add styrofoam blocks. Hope it doesn't squeak! I have numerous extra life jackets and a couple of those big foam pool floats we often bring to the lake that can go in there too. Might absorb some of that hollow drum sound as well.
NOTES.
The top of the birth is balsa core 1/4 balsa sandwiched beteen a 1/8 top and 1/16 glass boottom. I used 3/4 x 14 SS tap screws and 4200 for the install. To do again I'd probably try to use 1/2 or 5/8" fasteners as the 3/4 just went through enough to leave a sharp point, that i may go back and dab with sealant. I don't think the screws will do much holding more than squeeze it down until the sealant cures. Don't over tighten.
There is about a 2" gap at the bottom of the well where the front cabin floor free floats above the hull (easy for small stored stuff to roll under and be a big pain to retreive). I solved that by squishing a couple of pool noodles into that gap (light and Float). I think filling that under floor with 2 part foam might possibly be another good solution but i still like that it can breath and flow if it needs to.
Provides quite a bit of extra storage.
chris