Has anybody ever removed this? I find it ugly. Does it serve the purpose of bumper? Spray guard? I don't like how it chops up the lines of the boat and I am wondering if I really need it. I appreciate any input!
I've seen other boats with similar strakes.
Fairly common old school feature.
I always thought they were spray deflectors to turn away water traveling up the side of the hull to keep it from entering the cockpit and engine well.
But that's just an UWAG (Unscientific Wild Ass Guess).
Had them on my mid-1950's General Marine Speedliner (restored sister ship shown below).
Thanks Joe. Your UWAG sounds about right to me. Since these stop half way up the boat, it makes sense that they would be for spray and not bumpers. It is interesting that they went away on the second version of the Tomcat.
That is a good idea. I am going to be painting the entire boat. I always had in mind that I would keep it dark to match bottom paint, but maybe I can match it to the new hull color if I keep it.
Looks to me like it might also double as a preventative to keep pvc guide posts (TC 24 photo) or carpeted positioning boards (SpeedLiner photo) from rubbing wear marks on the hull sides when trailering.