What’s the RDP consensus on an open bow conversion?

[Socalx09]

This wouldn’t happen for several years. But, I have been kicking around the option of opening the bow on the Howard offshore. Just completely in love with the boat even after the recent problems. I know you can get an offshore already with an open bow. I’m sentimental and get attached to things. This would not be done at any random shop if it ever happens.

This is more relative to aging. I can’t see Robert jumping off the bow as he gets older. He has almost slipped a few times misjudging the jump. Sometimes it is too busy to tie off and nosing it in is faster. There are no rails on the boat, and I think it might ruin the sleekness of it to add some.

Over the weekend we talked about it more because it just handles all wave conditions with ease. So either as we get older, we can just tie off at the dock to enter/exit the boat. Or, open the bow to make it easier. I’m pretty good at docking. It would be too tall to enter from a beach so the advantage of an open bow wouldn’t benefit there.

Or, is this a huge no?

 

[Singleton]

Do what makes you happy.

 

[DWC]

^^^^ x2.

 

[Bobby V]

Do a walk thru open bow. The hole to get to the open bow gets smaller has you get older.

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

Nothing wrong with an open bow. Makes more sense to me. If you're worried about the conversion, that not a big deal at all. Just a cut and a slice.

 

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Get a 2nd boat. Like a pontoon. Will be more comfortable and user friendly than any open bow V hull. Everyone I know that has a pontoon is relaxed to the point they may consider letting flaming hot cheetos on the pontoon. Keep the Howard as the Hotrod. It looks badass in the picture you posted of it. Closed bow, full windshield, no rails, and the graphics are spot on.

 

[rivermobster]

Do yourself a favor, and go for a ride in somebody's open bow boat.

Sit up front, in some choppy water, and report back on what you think.

 

[paradise]

Do a walk thru open bow. The hole to get to the open bow gets smaller has you get older.

Is that like a reverse double entendre?

 

[gqchris]

I really wish I had some of the attachment to things that others have. I miss alot of cool shit I once had that's probably irreplaceable.

. I envy when people say they owned their boats forever.

I need more of that!

Do what makes ya happy!

 

[pixrthis]

Driving boats with people sitting in the bow sucks and because of that I say no. That boat is probably fun to drive in it’s current configuration, throw 3 or 400 and see how it drives.

 

[FreeBird236]

Do yourself a favor, and got for a ride in somebody's open bow boat.

Sit up front, in some choppy water, and report back on what you think.

Never ride there, but in and out of the boat, ice chests on the side seats for easy access to food, water and beer. Keeps the boat monkeys from getting in and over the engine cover.

 

[HST4ME]

if you have kids and or shore trip there is nothing better than an open bow. saw some really nice Sunsation open bows this past weekend.

 

[Englewood]

Who cares. Do what fits your family best. For every hardcore closed bow guy there is 10 more who want to bring family and friends and want an open bow.

 

[Orange Juice]

if you have kids and or shore trip there is nothing better than an open bow. saw some really nice Sunsation open bows this past weekend.

You are describing the reason you buy a pontoon boat, and keep the hot rod, a hot rod.

 

[DWC]

Driving boats with people sitting in the bow sucks and because of that I say no. That boat is probably fun to drive in it’s current configuration, throw 3 or 400 and see how it drives.

I’m with you but too cheap to buy new stuff. I’ve only had 3 boat. Liked all 3 and had great family memories in each one. Wouldn’t hesitate for a second to sell if I found the right replacement.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

I have an open bow , make sure the ingress and egress openings are big enough for you . Make sure you can close / lock them if needed . A walk through is a giant wind tunnel under way .

 

[ArizonaKevin]

As some others have said, the opening on a mid cabin is rather small, especially on a boat of this size. If you could do it to a WTOB then I would say go for it, but will be more involved with getting bulkheads and the correct windshields.

 

[dezrtracer]

Do what you think you'll enjoy the most . For me I'm not a fan of open bows and like the sleek look of a deck , specially on a boat like yours .

 

[adam909]

My opionon would be just sell the boat and buy what your looking for.

 

[Socalx09]

I was worried it was “taboo” to do it.

Robert is iffy about it. He doesn’t like to mess with things that are “right.” He sees the ease of an open bow though.

No kids, but may have 1 one day. Don’t have a lot of people usually on our boat. Most have their own boats.

I definitely wouldn’t ride in the open bow portion. It would really be just for entering and exiting the boat. I guess the more I read all your answers, it would just be easier to tie up the boat instead of jumping off the front. It really is only a problem at the launch ramp when there’s not a lot of room. At the slips, Robert usually walks off the side of the boat.

 

[Socalx09]

Do a walk thru open bow. The hole to get to the open bow gets smaller has you get older.

We love when one of the kids are on our boat. We have them retrieve things under the closed bow all the time

 

[Bowtiepower00]

Your boat is beautiful as is. I wouldn’t do it primarily because of cost- I’d guess you will be $15-20k into a conversion, and then it will snowball into a new interior in the rest of the boat, and while you’re doing that why not a new stereo, and then you end up 25k+ into the project. I would take that money plus whatever you can sell your boat for and find something that is already open. 50-60k can buy a lot of boat.

Additionally, you don’t really know how the added weight will effect your boats handling, it might not be the same when it’s completed.

That being said, I understand what it’s like to love your current boat- so if you don’t mind the money aspect and really don’t want anything different why not keep what you have and love, and modify it to fit your wants and needs.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Open bow is certainly a nice to have when you need to get up to the front for something without climbing on a slick deck.

However it will change how the boat rides, because you’re adding the weight of the furniture (always) up there, and the weight of the people (sometimes).

That being said, we have a WTOB 26’ and a 30’ and we love it. Certainly easier to get access in and out of the boat from the front or the back and makes dock handling easier.

 

[LazyLavey]

Do yourself a favor, and go for a ride in somebody's open bow boat.

Sit up front, in some choppy water, and report back on what you think.

would that be like deciding what car to buy by sitting in the back seat?

 

[rivermobster]

would that be like deciding what car to buy by sitting in the back seat?

Exactly.

Is that what you want to do to Your guests?

 

[rivrrts429]

I couldn’t hack up the bow of that boat and it’s beautiful as it is. If it were me I’d look at one already done before I let someone take a sawzall to yours.

It’s the same reason you don’t hack up a typical car and make it a convertible lol

 

[renodaytona]

I have only owned closed bow's, 2 Daytona's and now the Comp Ski. Now shopping for a big v, all closed bow are the ones on my list so far. I think at this point if I ever wanted to get something with an open bow it will be a deck boat, purpose built for what the need is, passengers and able to cut through the rough stuff. I wouldn't cut up a boat to convert it, that's just me though.

 

[Jay Dub]

This wouldn’t happen for several years. But, I have been kicking around the option of opening the bow on the Howard offshore. Just completely in love with the boat even after the recent problems. I know you can get an offshore already with an open bow. I’m sentimental and get attached to things. This would not be done at any random shop if it ever happens.

This is more relative to aging. I can’t see Robert jumping off the bow as he gets older. He has almost slipped a few times misjudging the jump. Sometimes it is too busy to tie off and nosing it in is faster. There are no rails on the boat, and I think it might ruin the sleekness of it to add some.

Over the weekend we talked about it more because it just handles all wave conditions with ease. So either as we get older, we can just tie off at the dock to enter/exit the boat. Or, open the bow to make it easier. I’m pretty good at docking. It would be too tall to enter from a beach so the advantage of an open bow wouldn’t benefit there.

Or, is this a huge no? View attachment 1402403

for reference, I have a WTOB Hallett 255 and love it. I say do not do it to your boat. My reason is cost only. This is pricey job that will spiral into the "while we are at it". I say sell it to someone who wants a closed bow and look for a boat that may be more suitable as you and your family grow and age.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

I love a closed bow, but the open bow is always great to have. Even still the look of the mcob is better than the walk through. However I’m so over the crawl through that I’m half tempted to cut my boat into a wtob just for ease and simplicity.

 

[CoolCruzin]

I’d say cut it open !

 

[Tank]

Good feedback on here. Sounds to me like the overall answer would be no.

Great looking boat. Sexy lines and unique colors. Bad ass.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

For years I watched all the River Rat types cram 20 people into a crowded helm area like sardines on a closed bow design... it never looked like a fun day to me.... open that thing up and spread em out I say. Look at it this way; they'd be able to place another 10 people on board

 

[Socalx09]

For years I watched all the River Rat types cram 20 people into a crowded helm area like sardines on a closed bow design... it never looked like a fun day to me.... open that thing up and spread em out I say. Look at it this way; they'd be able to place another 10 people on board

I think Robert would die if 10 more people were on the boat. he is not as social as I am and a bit OCD. It’s starting to sound like the open bow wouldn’t benefit our situation as much as I thought it would.

 

[Socalx09]

Your boat is beautiful as is. I wouldn’t do it primarily because of cost- I’d guess you will be $15-20k into a conversion, and then it will snowball into a new interior in the rest of the boat, and while you’re doing that why not a new stereo, and then you end up 25k+ into the project. I would take that money plus whatever you can sell your boat for and find something that is already open. 50-60k can buy a lot of boat.

Additionally, you don’t really know how the added weight will effect your boats handling, it might not be the same when it’s completed.

That being said, I understand what it’s like to love your current boat- so if you don’t mind the money aspect and really don’t want anything different why not keep what you have and love, and modify it to fit your wants and needs.

Open bow is certainly a nice to have when you need to get up to the front for something without climbing on a slick deck.

However it will change how the boat rides, because you’re adding the weight of the furniture (always) up there, and the weight of the people (sometimes).

That being said, we have a WTOB 26’ and a 30’ and we love it. Certainly easier to get access in and out of the boat from the front or the back and makes dock handling easier.

I would absolutely hate if the boat changed how it rode. It would defeat the purpose of keeping it if it would change how it rode with opening it up. I didn’t think about that, as I’m not that knowledgeable in that area. I just have heard of people converting their closed bows.

I have been on a few boats, and I still feel like it is one of the better riding boats. I’m probably biased, but every time the water conditions are less then ideal and/or holiday weekend, I am glad to be in it.

 

[LazyLavey]

Exactly.

Is that what you want to do to Your guests?

depends who they are

 

[hallett21]

Do what makes you happy. Your boat is beautiful the way it is though.

Depending on the exact docking/beaching/mooring issues your having, sometimes just practicing alternate approaches in the off season helps. The natural reaction is to point the boat forward and work everything off of the bow, but that’s not the only way.

I can leave the helm be on the bow and back at the helm if needed but 99% of the time I set myself up so that I don’t need to leave the driver seat.

Where dock lines/anchors/fenders are stored play a big part.

 

[rivermobster]

depends who they are

Good point!

 

[Socalx09]

Do what makes you happy. Your boat is beautiful the way it is though.

Depending on the exact docking/beaching/mooring issues your having, sometimes just practicing alternate approaches in the off season helps. The natural reaction is to point the boat forward and work everything off of the bow, but that’s not the only way.

I can leave the helm be on the bow and back at the helm if needed but 99% of the time I set myself up so that I don’t need to leave the driver seat.

Where dock lines/anchors/fenders are stored play a big part.

I think it will just require a bit more patience on our part. It is really just the launch ramp issue. We don’t wait if it’s busy and I’ll drop/pick him up by nosing to the dock between boats. But, the few times he misjudged it, it worries me as he gets older. If it’s empty at the havasu marina, I will just tie up on the gas docks wait for him instead of floating in the bay. At Jack smith, there’s the beaches to pull up to and it’s easy for us.

I can dock without Robert in a slip and get off in time to catch the boat before it drifts on a good day. On a bad day, we have buoys there for a reason. I never have the boat moving fast enough to do any damage if it does drift faster then I can hop off. I have more patience at the dock than he does. He still doesn’t “steer and then gear” which is how I was taught to dock so it sways a bit more with him so that’s why I’m usually docking and it handling it. Plus I’m short and not as athletic as he is.

So I think you are right with adjusting our program a bit to make it work better for us and making it safer.

 

[Socalx09]

I really wish I had some of the attachment to things that others have. I miss alot of cool shit I once had that's probably irreplaceable.

. I envy when people say they owned their boats forever.

I need more of that!

Do what makes ya happy!

It is a curse though. I’m not sure how I would feel seeing the boat with another person. My dad is the original owner of his boat. He hasn’t kept up with it like he should have, but there’s something real nice about not caring too much and enjoying your weekend when you are in it. He lets kids do whatever and anything is allowed to eat on his boat really.

The only thing I’m not sentimental towards is the RV. I could burn that thing down tomorrow.

 

[RiverDave]

Sell this one and buy one already open.. closed bows are hard to come by

 

[PlumLoco]

Under the deck of my 23' daycruiser I have a queen size mattress, a 12v refrigerator, 4 skis, extra life jackets, towel, fishing gear and other stuff. This allows us to overnight at cool spots, nap, keep little ones out of the sun, and keep the passenger area clutter free.
Closed bow boats are getting harder to find every year. I'd never go down the open bow road personally.

 

[pull-on]

I was coming on here to say the same thing as @RiverDave that you'll be dollars ahead if you sell the closed bow and buy an open bow.

On the other hand, do what you want as it's your boat. And don't pay attention to the haters.

***WARNING*** A lot of pictures posted below

Our Hallett 300T

Our Hallett 270T

These next ones are spectacular and taken by @Tommy Gun Images

 

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I noticed another detail that makes the boat even more badass. The steering wheel is on the correct side. Don't cut the boat!

 

[Wayn-o]

Privoous owner had it done to my Vector.