open bow cover

croation2 · 02-25-2008, 03:26 PM

I was thinking about covering the open bow of my 21 seahawk for rough water. Possibly even building a UHMW box that would hold extra clothing etc. The box would be normally left at home or in the truck and then be set in the opening when needed. Has anyone attempted this? got any tips? Pictures would be cool!

thanks

ping jockey · 02-25-2008, 03:51 PM

I had a 21' Alumaweld FV with an open bow, and covered it with 3/16th aluminum. I cut out a hole big enough for anchor storage, put some molding around it and made a non water tight "Hatch" which was just another piece of 3/16 that was about an 1 1/2" bigger than the hole. I used a piece of molding on the aft edge as well. I kept the anchor and line in a red plastic thing that looked a lot like a curbside recycling bin and built a box from 5/8 plywood that that went around it to hold it in place and also gave support so you could walk on it. The little bit of water that got in just went out the drain holes

WP · 02-25-2008, 06:21 PM

I covered my bow area with a combination of a 1/2 tote and plywood around the sides so I could access the tote. A little ackward but tough! Never had an issue with it and waves could not break it without breaking the windshield! It did make for a little more weight on the front end but more room in the back and all the fish storage I ever needed (wanted to cark). Hewescraft 20SR needed all the room I could muster

Dave

SouthCoastStu · 02-26-2008, 05:27 PM

I just picked mine up on Monday.

Closed:

Open:

(note the lateral supports)

Beefcake · 02-26-2008, 07:20 PM

I'm looking for ideas, too. I am thinking of just making one out of PT lumber and plywood, but I haven't figured out the design yet. I would prefer not to lose all of my bow storage space (cooler and anchor equipment go up there). I have figured out one scenario that allows the cooler to stay, but not the anchor, and another scenario that does the opposite. I also usually have a spare 6 gallon fuel tank up there. If I build something big enough to have access hatches for all this stuff and enough framing support to walk on and / or to deflect a crashing wave, it will be too heavy. I think I will end up with a wood frame, plywood deck, with one big hatch to use the bow area as storage or a fish box. With this design, my anchor can stay in it's bow cradle, but I will probably have to stow the ball and line elsewhere (the ball is too big to sit in the shallow area below the new deck).

fish_on · 02-26-2008, 07:30 PM

I plugged my bow scuppers and filled the bow with water from my wash down pump. Then tested how the boat performed, I was still able to get the boat up on plane and it didn't feel dangerous in any way. After that I installed a 30 gallon fuel tank in the bow and feel very confident the boat can handle the bow being filled with water.

Tinman · 02-26-2008, 07:49 PM

Beefcake, you're right about building it strong enough to deflect a crashing wave. That's quite a challenge.

croation2 · 02-27-2008, 08:04 AM

[quote=fish_on;1892927]I plugged my bow scuppers and filled the bow with water from my wash down pump. Then tested how the boat performed, I was still able to get the boat up on plane and it didn't feel dangerous in any way. After that I installed a 30 gallon fuel tank in the bow and feel very confident the boat can handle the bow being filled with water.[/qu

Thats good info, Thanks

retaliate · 02-27-2008, 09:47 AM

Burried the Bow a couple times in my Boat, no problem at all, drained within a Minute, But I have a very Small Bow space, still I put a Cooler in the Bow on a Tuna run, this helps keep most of the Water out, + more Ice/Tuna Storage, I plan making a custom fit insulated kill/Ice bag out of Foam to fill the remaining space for more protection+ more Ice/Tuna storage.

Two Fister · 02-27-2008, 10:40 AM

One thing I've thought about with cloth or other soft covers (kill bag, etc) is that if you do take a wave big enough to flatten it, the bow scuppers would get blocked. That could turn a quick draining bow into a big cloth lined bathtub that won't drain until the material is removed. Waves that are big enough to crash over your bow carry a remarkable amount of energy and weight.

I've often thought about a bow cover made of intersecting pieces of aluminum; something like opposed and interlocking "fingers" or slots. Something that could be pulled apart into pieces that could be stored in a fish hold or other onboard space and fitted together to form a cover. Could be secured to the bow with something as simple as stainless screws in pre-drilled holes that are sealed with silicone or ? I think the idea is to deflect most of the water, not keep the bow completely water tight.

I think it's important to have it onboard. I know I would leave a heavy cover onshore if I didn't think I'd need it on a particular day. Chances are that would be the day I'd need it most.
TF

Chrome Bumper · 02-27-2008, 10:52 AM

PT ply is pretty course stuff. Okuma ply is much nicer, 1/2" with sawn hardwood ribs on 12-16 inch centers would be plenty stout to walk on, and you could put a nice curve on it too. With a nice Polyurethane varnish over a stain pretty too.
If its strong enough for Beefcake to do the tuna dance on its strong enough to shed waves.

Beefcake · 02-27-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrome Bumper

If its strong enough for Beefcake to do the tuna dance on its strong enough to shed waves.

Hey now, I lost almost 30# this winter on my protein diet. Besides, I'm not fat; I'm big boned!