Open bow conversion
 

You guys are going to call me a moron for even asking this question, but I'm going to ask anyway. I have a 27 Fountain, and it fits me. I really want to keep it, but the wife and kid are complaining that we don't have enough room to take friends along. There is a wave of new boats on the market that have a mid-cabin and an open bow, and I'm considering doing this to my Fountain. I've read that some manufacturers cut out the bow section from a closed bow if the option is ordered, and some make a separate deck mold. I don't see how this mod would weaken the boat, as the bow section would only be removed ahead of the cabin bulkhead. I once owned a GW Invader that had a removable bow hardtop, so I could have open or closed bow, and that's what I want to do to the Fountain. I never use the bed anyway, so the boat would be more useable to me after the mods. It's a '91, so I'm not screwing up a $100,000 boat. Please let me know your ideas on what it should cost, as well as if it's a bad idea. Thanks- Toolz

Re: Open bow conversion
 

I once saw a guy do this to a 38 Donzi race boat. Broke my heart. Real boats have decks, the others are called bow riders.

Re: Open bow conversion
 

Im no pro but I think its definatly do able.......the open bow sportboat market is certainly growing.......it would be cool if it looked profesional (like it was stock)......youd be popular at the docks.......probably good and bad.......I wonder if the manufactures that offer open and closed bow models do anything with the boat set up with x dimension or anything like that to compensate for the xtra wieght.......like you said.......you wouldnt want to screw up a $100,000 boat......kinda scary going into uncharted territory like that...........you may just want to unload it and get open bow boat.....28 Sunsation or something...................doug

Re: Open bow conversion
 

Toolz,
Personally, I would sell the Fountain and get into something that fits your family's lifestyle. You are going to spend alot of money and end up with something that's going to be very hard to sell in the future.
Have you considered a Center Console type boat?

Re: Open bow conversion
 

I would sell the fountain and buy a Sunsation.

Jon

Re: Open bow conversion
 

http://www.hotboat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104742

I say go for it, it's your boat and if you would enjoy it that way what do have to loose? Mid cabins and open bows are pretty common on the west coast, I wouldn't mind seeing a boat like yours if it was done right.

Re: Open bow conversion
 

If your not going to do the work yourself, I think you will find the cost is going to be prohibitive. I have to agree with the others sell that boat and buy one you like that has the mid cabin setup.

Re: Open bow conversion
 

I was quoted around 5k to do it to an sr24 htm from htm. This boat can be purchased with or without an open bow.

Re: Open bow conversion
 

oops, didn't notice the GW Invader reference.

My sister and her hubby had one when they 1st came out, '89??. A super nice setup. Only pain was it wasn't something you take with you to the lake, then decide to remove the cover. Lucky they had a place on the lake.

Re: Open bow conversion
 

hey tbanzer.....1st post......start date :D :drink: Jul 2004???......ya gotta lay off the post whorin' man!!!