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pro and con open vs closed cockpit


mcdermitt

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I was wondering the good and bad of open vs closed.  I plan on using a outboard on my boat a good bit since there will be a lot of river travel could be all day.  I am building the cs-17 now and have a closed cockpit  kit with the rear bulkhead in ready to turn her over and start on the bottom then go back and finish the seats and deck when I turn her back over latter in the year hope to use her this spring.    Has any one changed in the middle of the stream and if what did you do   . .motor size and is still up in the air
Thanks
Floyd McDermitt

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I am not familiar with your terminology...open vs closed and think I know what you mean but not certain....my recent learnings are that the aft deck model ( with an aft deck of about two feet) like attached picture is the least desirable for permanently having a motor.

 

post-3404-0-09184800-1409619208_thumb.jpg

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You are correct, the picture above has the aft deck.

 

It has more stowage, more buoyancy and it is easier to fit a cockpit cover/ tent. As was said above, the aft cockpit version allows you to slide further aft and be able to reach the motor while still sitting in the cockpit. The aft deck is only 24" long which is not a long reach. A bracket would move the motor aft 6" or more. If that is a issue, a well is not a lot of work and would bring the tiller almost to the cockpit.

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I changed mine and not exactly midstream. Hamhawed about it for several years actually before I did it. It worked out really well. The loss of storage volume is greatly outweighed by better looks, substantial increase in seating possibilities, much improved access to the rudder and motor(which I don't have). My rudder blade always needs a shove when I leave the boat ramp and the open aft is just the ticket here. The job itself wasn't that difficult - getting a decent scarph on the extended coaming and trying to match the paint were about  the most difficult. The paint didn't quite get there BTW. I'll be at the get together in Oct if you want to see my boat RedBeard. Good luck PeterP

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Peter
How did you change it.  I would not want to cut the whole aft bulkhead out.  I think it adds strength.  If I cut it out it would only be enouph to have walking access.  I am just thinking about what I could dodo you have a pic.  I am going to try and get one of the grandkids to see if they can put some on for me
McDermitt

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thanks for the pic.  My aft bulkhead has a cut out in it so I could not do exactly as you did.  I was thinking of cutting down to a couple inches above the keel batten and putting in a stiffener and a piece of plywood to make a flat floor just a idea.  I do not know how wide I would make the pasageway

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I agree with Peter and have opted for no aft deck on both my BRS and Lapwing.  There is already a surplus of storage and flotation in the boat and access to the transom trumps having to climb over a deck for me.  I also like free water drainage through the transom when storing or washing.

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Maybe one other point... to add the the wisdom already dispensed.

 

The aft seating area of the boat makes a great lounge area for stretching out on a lazy sail.  Imagine laying flat with your feet up on the seat, an arm draped lazily over the tiller, maybe your head propped up on the transom while the boat moves sweetly in a whisper of a wind, you completely relaxed. Maybe a fishing line dragging behind, maybe not...

 

The aft locker at seat height as shown in Peter's pictures really enhances that lounge area.  I would consider even moving the aft bulkhead forward another foot to further expand the lounge.  Also a great place for fishing...  

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Quote from Brent above "The aft seating area of the boat makes a great lounge area for stretching out on a lazy sail.  Imagine laying flat with your feet up on the seat, an arm draped lazily over the tiller, maybe your head propped up on the transom while the boat moves sweetly in a whisper of a wind, you completely relaxed."

 

This is exactly what I do on my 'Lively'.

 

dale

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  • 9 months later...

You could always keep the aft deck, and use a bunk board under tiller for your feet to lazily stretch out across :).

 

I like the thought of having a lot of flotation volume in a boat, and that aft compartment has come in handy twice. Once when trailering with waves coming straight onto ramp, over aft of boat and almost all way up aft deck, and another time with waves from behind when sailing that where slightly higher, it seemed like they never quite made it all the way up the aft deck before the boat jumped up higher.

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Longshaft Mercury 3.5 four stroke (new motor in 2012). The weight is decent compared to other motors, and the fuel consumption at 2/3 throttle is less then two stroke fully open with same hull speed. Before that I used a 2hp air cooled honda. The extra length of the longshaft has been annoying a couple times moving it around, however in waves really pays for it's self.

 

It's annoying filling up the gas every 50min at full speed, or 60-70 min slightly backed off. Noise could be better but is ok, and the warranty is amazing. The oil seal was replaced under warranty as well as bolts that rusted on heads. 

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