Converting runabout to "open bow"
Submitted by Ashen on Sat, 2015-12-19 17:21
Hi guys
A few days ago, the missus gave me the green light to buy a bigger boat or 4x4 (have been using her Murano to tow my boat! Haha). I was going to sell the Penguin Huntress and buy a Voyager 23-24ft Marquis and put on an outboard. However, after some sleepless nights, I'll be going for a 4x4 coz I doubt the Murano can tow a Marquis!
So, I will keep the Huntress. It's the 18.6ft runabout version with good deckspace. However, I'm thinking of cutting the bow and turning it into a casting deck/platform. Will there be much changes to the ride of the boat? Obviously I will need to strengthen the front gunnels etc.
Any thoughts, ideas, advices and criticisms will be appreciated.
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A fish in the hand is worth 10 in the water!
.thumbnail.JPG "Good day at the office")
dodgy
Posts: 4577
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Few guys have turned them
Few guys have turned them into centre consoles so doubt you will need to do much. Huntress are a great rig.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Ashen
Posts: 1042
Date Joined: 22/03/13
Yeah mate, have seen a few
Yeah mate, have seen a few around that are centre console. A fellow member has one and reckons the ride is great. I'm planning on keeping the driver & passenger consoles and only cut up the bow section. The missus likes boating and fishing aswell. Also have a 2yr old girl that I would like to introduce to fishing, so having the windscreen will offer some protection for them.
If I go ahead with the conversion, I'll have a waterproof tarp to cover the bow for when the weather gets rough.
I'll also have some storage compartments under casting deck. It'll be good for spare fuel tanks etc!
A fish in the hand is worth 10 in the water!
epic restos and...
Posts: 226
Date Joined: 22/06/15
Sounds like a great resto if
Sounds like a great resto if done right you'll maintain strength and improve ride I say go for it thumbs up
Ashen
Posts: 1042
Date Joined: 22/03/13
Thanks for the motuvation,
Thanks for the motivation, Todd! If I stuff up, I'll take the boat to you to fix/finish it off! Haha!
By the way, it'll be a winter project... Need the boat on the water for the next 3 months to harass the tailor and crabs in Matilda Bay!
A fish in the hand is worth 10 in the water!
Cruise Control
Posts: 973
Date Joined: 03/11/10
Had a Huntress CC for many
Had a Huntress CC for many years. Built by Julius Savaris of Pengin Marine. Fished all up and down the coast. I loved it, stable, predictable, no vices but like all CC's it was wet and I mean raincoat wet in any weather when the wind is blowing.
It's like a fire hose as those big chines send the water straight out and then the wind picks it up and dumps it straight back into the boat. When it was rough and blowy, I used to have to run with the scuppers wide open to drain the deck. So be prepared to get wet especially if you locate the console aft of midship.
cheers
Ashen
Posts: 1042
Date Joined: 22/03/13
Hi Cruise.I've been out CCs
Hi Cruise.
I've been out on CCs before and yes, I got soaked! Haha
My plan is to leave the runabout configuration as is. The only change will be cutting open the bow and adding a casting deck. It will also be great for retrieving anchors etc. The bow space is so small that crawling into it and out the hatch to set and retrieve anchors is a major hassle, even for someone small like myself! Haha
For rough weather, I plan on having a tarp cover for the bow area.
A fish in the hand is worth 10 in the water!
Rooboy17
Posts: 1
Date Joined: 14/01/18
Penguin remodel
Ashen,
Did you end up doing the remodel of your Huntriss?
I am thinking of doing something similar to my Penguin Phantom, mainly to get easier access to the anchor as going over the windscreen is wearing thin.
Any thoughts/learnings?