16 SS splash well modification

[roscoe]

Looking to make a bit more room in the boat, have easier access to the motor, and easier reach to the kicker motor - if needed.

Has anyone ever made the splash well smaller?
Maybe 16 or 18" from front to back?

I'm not worried about water coming in over the top, so it shouldn't

Looks like it will take some thinking to get it right.

Might have to replace the entire well.

Any ideas?

Any photos?

 

[fshngho]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

I haven't seen one yet Roscoe. There was a guy that was going to but changed his mind. I am planning on doing it but I am not at that point yet. You are more than welcome to blaze the trail for us.

 

[Starman8]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

I would start the process by removing the existing transom and cut a template from a later model SFM or Starfire and work back to front.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

Just to clarify, I don't want to modify the transom itself, just the splash well.

 

[Starman8]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

then what are going to hang it on?

basic construction consists of 4 corners and nailers at each point, so if you want deck space, it needs to run AFT to connect. Our old Star's transoms dictate the splashwel design. Look again at the picture of my 2000 model.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

I was just going to say what Starman already did. Check out the new aluminum boats on a bunch of the manufacturer's web sites. Lots of good ideas there as they all have lower transoms than the old SCs.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

Picture is worth a 1000.

I would like to remove the section with the 2 red arrows in the photo. Want to move the front of the splash well - aft, approx 6".
Don't want to rebuild the section that attaches to the transom.
Don't want to rebuild or reshape the transom.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

Keep in mind that the splashwell doesn't just keep water out of the boat, it also transfers lots of the stress placed on the transom to the hull, from the thrust of the motor.

I have considered doing this to the boat in the ^^ picture but I'm just going to build a teak platform above it as a casting deck rather than try to redesign it.

To do what you suggest I'd want to move that lateral aluminum beam back and re-rivet the smaller splashwell in again, so the structural support is not compromised.

I agree that a bit more room in the stern would be nice. Looking forward to seeing what you decide to do with this project, good luck to ya.

 

[LonLB]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

This is a project I intend to tackle over the winter.....I just don't have the boat yet.

Going to look at a 16' SS this weekend.


I want to shorten up the splash well so that I can convert the boat to Tiller.
That's my first thought.

Now if the boat surprises me with how much room it has, I may leave ONE console in, but I'm still going to try to shorten up that splash well.

No point in giving up that much room inside the boat.

 

[Starman8]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

The old transom designs and large splashwells are a waste of space only with respect to less floor space, but...................

A boat still needs a place to have a bettery or 2 as well as the fuel tank, which in the case of the older SS models, are under the large splashwell. In addition, trim motors/pumps also make there home there.

Aft decks nowadays are the result of in-floor fuel tanks in the main cockpit area allowing for smaller splashwells. The lateral strength is better these days because the port and star gunwales are connected also by the increased decking.

On my SS project, I look at my wasted space as storage for my permanent fuel tank and trim motor. They just don't have top access, so instead, I modified the aft with side access and removable panels.

The raised deck I made created storage for battery and general gear. I figured that the back main deck behind the passenger seats had no purpose except to either land a fish or general entry into the boat, hence the raised deck below......................

Need to add the face wall which includes a recessed LED 18 in white, then the top trim bar on the rail mentioned which will harbor 2 Scotty triple mounts for trolling.

The raised deck sets the fishermans butt seat at 25" total height on a pedestal for casting. The raised floor(12") also makes it easier to reach back to the transom area, easier to get into the boat, and provides new storage, in my opinion. The wall can be removed if needed with 6 bolts and a few L brackets in the new storage area.

I guess my question would be....................is it worth doing the modification of moving the splashwell support bar to gain 6" of floor space? In my opinion, an SS and runabout fun is really about the large bowrider area and not the aft area.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

Starman I really like that setup and I've been contemplating something similar for my 16' SS. The storage is lacking with my current open layout and I need at least one box somewhere.

My only concern would be standing on that platform might be a little too tall for trolling, ie grabbing a pole and setting the hook in some swells...I like to be lower in the boat and able to brace against the gunwale for stability.

I use the boat for different types of fishing, and the platform would be great for casting/jigging/bobber fishing.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Starman8]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

HuronA, agree as far as rough water, but great for the net man. The 2 rear seats with lock'n'pin are set in an area where they can easily be removed if only 2 folks trolling, and I left enough space between the front and back seats for the angler to fight the fish if the crew is larger.

For skinny trolling, i.e Inland, Canada, etc., the raised deck may provide a better "angle".

Best I can come up with to change a runabout into a combo rig for multi-species fishing methods and still do the water ski thing. If you recall, I did the bracing under the floor for the ski tow..........hope that works too?

 

[LonLB]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

The old transom designs and large splashwells are a waste of space only with respect to less floor space, but...................

A boat still needs a place to have a bettery or 2 as well as the fuel tank, which in the case of the older SS models, are under the large splashwell. In addition, trim motors/pumps also make there home there.

Aft decks nowadays are the result of in-floor fuel tanks in the main cockpit area allowing for smaller splashwells. The lateral strength is better these days because the port and star gunwales are connected also by the increased decking.

On my SS project, I look at my wasted space as storage for my permanent fuel tank and trim motor. They just don't have top access, so instead, I modified the aft with side access and removable panels.

The raised deck I made created storage for battery and general gear. I figured that the back main deck behind the passenger seats had no purpose except to either land a fish or general entry into the boat, hence the raised deck below......................

Need to add the face wall which includes a recessed LED 18 in white, then the top trim bar on the rail mentioned which will harbor 2 Scotty triple mounts for trolling.

The raised deck sets the fishermans butt seat at 25" total height on a pedestal for casting. The raised floor(12") also makes it easier to reach back to the transom area, easier to get into the boat, and provides new storage, in my opinion. The wall can be removed if needed with 6 bolts and a few L brackets in the new storage area.

I guess my question would be....................is it worth doing the modification of moving the splashwell support bar to gain 6" of floor space? In my opinion, an SS and runabout fun is really about the large bowrider area and not the aft area.

I will have to consider the battery/gas tank storage. You're right about the newer stuff. The tracker I had, had a 24gal tank in the floor, and a tiny splash well compared the S/C.

If I do decide to go tiller though, I'll shorten it up.

Batteries could be mounted half recessed into the floor, with a step up to the front deck covering them. That would leave the gas tank, but I'll bet a tall, thin, long gas tank could be sourced from somewhere.

 

[Bob Gilvary]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

I've read most of this, but might have missed one aspect of making the splash well smaller. What about when the motor is tilted up for trailering? That has to be considered.

I don't see why the splash well can't be made to accommodate the motors of today.

 

[Starman8]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

Keep in mind newer boats are much wider than our old ones, so what appears to be a huge splashwell isn't?

My 79SS 18 has an 81" beam, my 2000 had a 90" beam, and a new Starcraft SFM has a 99-101" beam. When you add nearly 2' to the width of a boat, the splashwell looks "normal" in size??

 

[reelfishin]

Re: 16 SS splash well modification

Why not do away with the splashwell and use a set back bracket. Then just raise the transom to full height straight across. You would have to do something to support the corner structure of the boat and add something at the stern to give it some diagonal support but it would work great and the result would be no more than 12" of interior intrusion. You could also gain some performance at the same time. I've often considered do the same with an I/O hull, which would already be built sans the splash tray.
I had a chance to buy a 22' SS a while back that had a blown I/O engine, I was thinking of maybe even reviving an old OMC Sea Drive. The deal on the motor fell through so I let the boat go. It would have been a great fishing boat with all that room.