ss04vv
09-14-2012, 11:22 AM
Looking at my 69 Ski Sporter makes me think one thing - Terrible use of space. What are your throughts on resto-modding a ski sporter hull? Having an engineering background, and having been bitten by the car bug a long time ago boats have become my new focus- the idea of modifying a timeless design to function better, run faster, and last longer is quite intriguing.
My thoughts:
- The hull could be made stonger with a few additional boards in the bottom of the hull
- The unfinished fibreglass in the hull should be finished
- the area infront of the driver (ski storage/ ~45 degree footrest) are a terrible use of space. Installing a removeable floor forward of the driver, and possibly either a permanent or removeable floor in the open sections on the right and left hand sides of the lower hull would greatly increase storage space, and possibly hull strength.
- The forward deck section should be reinforced so that one could walk on it without issue
- Delete the forward tow hook in the middle of the deck for aesthetics - Reinforce the front eye so it can be used for towing.
- Possibly move the gas filler from the top of the deck to the side of the boat on the forward 'V' of the hull - less visible and 'car-ish' in nature - No encrochment on the improved forward storage space from floor modifications.
- There would be some issues with tying the removeable deck into the rest of the boat (I understand thats the reason the boat is designed as it is), however, I think if modded properly the deck could be permanently tied into the hull (this thing shouldn't need any work for the next 30+ years if done/maintained properly anyways) or Nut and bolt tie ins could be used so no cutting would ever be involved with removing the deck. The simplest solution would be to have the additional floors as described above permanently tied into the boats hull, keep the deck/floor design otherwise as is for the boat (with the exception being modifying everything forward of the drivers feet, and use a simple stainless steel plate vanity cover at the only visible seam which would be right around the drivers foot.
I'll attach some sketches/photos at some point - just thinking out loud here - Thoughts?
My thoughts:
- The hull could be made stonger with a few additional boards in the bottom of the hull
- The unfinished fibreglass in the hull should be finished
- the area infront of the driver (ski storage/ ~45 degree footrest) are a terrible use of space. Installing a removeable floor forward of the driver, and possibly either a permanent or removeable floor in the open sections on the right and left hand sides of the lower hull would greatly increase storage space, and possibly hull strength.
- The forward deck section should be reinforced so that one could walk on it without issue
- Delete the forward tow hook in the middle of the deck for aesthetics - Reinforce the front eye so it can be used for towing.
- Possibly move the gas filler from the top of the deck to the side of the boat on the forward 'V' of the hull - less visible and 'car-ish' in nature - No encrochment on the improved forward storage space from floor modifications.
- There would be some issues with tying the removeable deck into the rest of the boat (I understand thats the reason the boat is designed as it is), however, I think if modded properly the deck could be permanently tied into the hull (this thing shouldn't need any work for the next 30+ years if done/maintained properly anyways) or Nut and bolt tie ins could be used so no cutting would ever be involved with removing the deck. The simplest solution would be to have the additional floors as described above permanently tied into the boats hull, keep the deck/floor design otherwise as is for the boat (with the exception being modifying everything forward of the drivers feet, and use a simple stainless steel plate vanity cover at the only visible seam which would be right around the drivers foot.
I'll attach some sketches/photos at some point - just thinking out loud here - Thoughts?