Walk thru one more time

[Ctskip]

I have take very seriously what everyone has said. But I feel that this is my sailboat and I have it because I like it and I want to make it mine. I didn't buy it with the intent of selling her down the road. I was going to keep her and enjoy her. I just feel that professionally done with the proper structural reinforcing she would then be more better suited for me . Isnt that what its all about.Enjoying our sport to the fullest. I wouldn't take away most of the transom just the rear storage locker down to the cockpit floor. . I'm still waiting to hear from a structal engineer and I concider what they have to say. Thanks for all your responcesNow tell me again what a mistake I'll be making

 

[Honeyman]

Go for it...

you are obviously going to do what you want to do if you can find someone to do it for you! Make her "your's"!!! Geez, Okies and their sow's ears...

 

[higgs]

You are right!!!!

Hey -you are going to be sure the job is stucturally sound by consulting a marine engineer. If he says go for it, who are we to say it is a bad idea? You have convinced me - if the marine engineer says it can be done - go for it! I am no engineer, but I suspect it can be done

 

[Franklin]

Of course

it CAN be done. Anything he cuts out can be lined with stainless steal and supported to be even stronger then what it was. The real question is how much will it cost and can the guy doing the job do it right? And, is the outcome of the project worth the money/effort? That's the real issue here.

 

[flyhop]

Just a question....

If you remove part of your transom, how would that impact access to the emergency rudder post? Or impact your steering mechanism? I'm all for upgrades, improvements, etc. I don't see any reason that it can't or shouldn't be done. I am however curious as to how you will do it. Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Ctskip]

Thanks

I plan on bringing the cockpit floor to the transom once it is cut open a distance of approx 8 inches. All the steering is underneath the deck. There is a locker on the transom now and has the same floor as the cockpit.So I'll use that one. The hole will be just up to the stern rail on the sides.I'll just remove the two storage doors in place now.Thanks again .And I'm not from Oklahoma I just live here for now. I'm from Ct.

 

[Benny]

How about helm seat?

Your stern locker lid is also your helm seat. What will you be using?

 

[Ctskip]

just like the catalinas

use on their newer boats. The original seat thats there now just it will clip in when underway.I'll remove just the part that folds down and go from there. A simple rubber clip like what use to be on the old Jeeps.I just dont see how removing 18 inches of Comming will do any damage to the vessel. I figure that there are structural engineers out there reading this and wondering "is he crazy" The answer is yes I just dont want to do any harm to the vessel.

 

[tom h]

it can be done

sure it can be done. You have to re-rig the backstay to be a split stay. Then reinforce the "new" transom which would be under the cut out area. Then you have to rebuild the companionway bottom by raising it several inches in case of a boarding wave. The rest is cosmetic. Actually it wouldn't be a bad idea. If it wasn't, why would new boats be built like this? Go for it, but finish the job, because if you don't, we will see this on Ebay for a buck and some change.

 

[Liam]

Home made boat

I am sure that everyone realizes that it takes REALY skilled craftsmen to build boats, to design boats and to make major modifications.Just walk around most harbors and you will see some examples. They are usually not too hard to spot. They often have old fading "for sale" signs on them. I often think about the old fable of "making a silk purse from a sow's ear".

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Me too.

That was THE question I asked myself prior to rebuilding my boat. It was tough and close. The work isn't the problem, it's justifying the expense compared to a newer boats' cost that's setup similar to what the present project boat will cost. Whew! Make sense?

 

[kendall]

still see no reason not to

The transom is not such a heavily loaded part of the boat, essentially it keeps the sides pulled in, plywood, with or without steel re enforcment is amazingly strong. You aren't hanging a 50 horse motor on it. I know the 'make it mine' feeling all the way through, nothing I own is factory, everythings been modified and personalized, and I don't mean just addng pinstripes. With a bit of care the boat can be made to look as though it came from the factory with a walkthrough. And frankly, when someone asks me why they've never seen that opion on other trucks before it's kind of makes you feel good when you tell them you did it yourself. Ken.

 

[Ctskip]

making it yours

It seems that no matter what I get, I have to make it mine. I don't care what it is, from my El Camino to my belt to my garage. When you walk in it belongs to somebody. I am not only planning on a walk thru but also adding the old style Chris Chraft bow lights. (shark Eyes). I'm even going to paint the numbers on ,No plastic stick-ons for me. Now I know how the purists will react. Don't go cutting holes in the boat. I'm adding these cause I like them and think they look sharp . A lot better that the plastic box hanging off my bow rail. (What were they thinking)?And the stern light ? again it seems like an after thought . Oh yea don't forget the light. Well I like my boat and I'm going to make her mine and if you dont like it, too bad. Lets hear it for individuality and the balls to be differant. Don't you just love those cookie cutter boats? No brands mentioned ,but you know who you are. Thanks

 

[Honeyman]

If you'll check...

I believe you will find the "old style" bow lights that are cut into either side of the bow are illegal because they aren't visible through enough of an arc to meet current regs. That's why they are "old style" and no one uses them anymore! Um, SAFETY, that's what they were thinking.

 

[Rich]

Take a deep breath...

In principle, what you want to do can be done. I can tell you though, from the perspective of someone who's undertaken a lot of upgrades that are much less complicated, that you're looking at work that may keep the boat out of commission for 2 seasons while you work on it. Just take a deep breath and think about what you're committing to before you start cutting. The beauty of choice is that you can change your mind and that's also your own business...