Cutting the bow...

[Terry_M]

Honestly, I've seen so much back and forth on this. I'm going to open the bow on my 67 starcraft holiday deep v and convert it to the side console shown. I plan to have a raised deck start where the dash would be, with bracing underneath. I'm going to blog this build on here as well (tear down the first of the year).

I'm no boat engineer. Just a garage junky who likes to build fast cars, and the boat is a new venture. In my head, this will be a walleye machine on the Detroit river. So really, how much structural integrity am I compromising by lowering the bow a foot? I'm not worried about being swamped by a wave, I only boat on the 2ft or less days.

 

[alldodge]

You want to make this

Into this by lowering the bow about a foot

Dropping the bow a foot will put you just a tad above the water line. I would suggest finding the boat you want instead of cutting this one up, but hey its your boat

 

[jbcurt00]

Done quite often. Some more successful then others.

Heres a whole list of Starcraft rehabs

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/owne...ft-rebuilds-and-restorations-they-re-all-here

Heres 1 successful conversion
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=455193

 

[alldodge]

Oh well shows how much I don't know, but I (just me) would still think about getting another boat

 

[jbcurt00]

I usually agree buy the boat you think you want, but they arent always available.

I also usually discourage hacking up a boat to 'convert' it into something else, but at least it isnt a fairly unique or rare boat.

 

[Ned L]

I don't know how happy you will be trying to stand on that foredeck. ....... there is a reason bass boats are very low and very beamy.

 

[mickyryan]

narrow boats make you sad when you fall off of them

 

[Terry_M]

It's a bobber in the water for sure, and I knew I'd get flack for not buying another boat. Truth is, I have kids, a job, a hot rod that gets about 7 miles to the gallon, downhill, and I paid 600 for this boat, so no real biggie as far as cutting her up. Another boat is just not what I'm looking for. I'm looking for a boat, perfect for me, and the only way I'm gonna get that is by building it.

Thanks for the info.

 

[jbcurt00]

Look thru the links I posted. You'll find lots of helpful info.

FYI for next year, doesnt have to be pretty to be considered, but heres the list.so far for 2016

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/owne...tarcraft-splash-of-the-year-award-nominations

 

[Terry_M]

Thanks, I have. Good info. Never knew they did a "soty" lol

 

[ezmobee]

Seems totally doable to me. Starcraft used the same basic hull for lots of models. As mentioned a Holiday isn't exactly a rare one and closed bows are limited in their usefulness. Go for it.

 

[jasoutside]

I dunno....

I've done two closed bow/cabin to open bow conversions now. Both have been successful and both were/are awesome. But, I wouldn't recommend it.....

It's a huge challenge to cut it out AND get it to look good. It's a ton of work. I'm glad I went through the process of rebuilding those boats the way I did and I really don't regret it. BUT, looking back, knowing what I know now, you'll spend a lot less time, effort, energy and $$ buying a 16' Starcraft Supersport than cutting and rebuilding that Holiday. Plus, you know it'll look right.

Now, if you have all sort of time, money, skills, and you're looking for a challenge....run it!:thumb: