Flush cockpit -vs- raised engine hatch

brian_g · Mar-31-2007, 10:01 AM

This may bee a very stupid question:

is there a reason why some boats have the raised engine hatch in the middle of the cockpit for I/O while other boats do not? It seems like (in my opinion) you would want the most "flat" cockpit space possible.

At the Fred Hall show I couldn't see any dramatic difference between boats that had flush cockpits and tose that had the raise engine hatch.

Can someone explain this to me?

FishWiz · Mar-31-2007, 10:14 AM

Smaller boats don't have the depth between hull and deck to fit an inboard without having a raised hatch.

Afry · Mar-31-2007, 11:20 AM

Also has to do with the hull design, deep V vs shallow vee, and where they mount the floor stringers - seems some builders just raise the floor to sink the hatch which makes for a shorter gunwale (sides to lean againist).

JBait · Mar-31-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian_g

This may bee a very stupid question:

is there a reason why some boats have the raised engine hatch in the middle of the cockpit for I/O while other boats do not? It seems like (in my opinion) you would want the most "flat" cockpit space possible.

At the Fred Hall show I couldn't see any dramatic difference between boats that had flush cockpits and tose that had the raise engine hatch.

Can someone explain this to me?

In a trailer boat, space is limited. Some say that the engine should be mid-ship with a direct drive, kinda like a commercial fishing vessel. Ain't going to happen if you want other things, such as a big fuel tank, large fish holds, built in ice box and lots of storage. I wish my deck was flat, but its not practical. A trailer boat is all about cramming all our needs into a small space. Space is limited and the more gas, fish holding capabilities, storage etc.. we can get the better. Example. My Davis Bahia 25 has a gas motor with a engine hatch. It holds 196 gallons of fuel, has two huge insulated fish holds, a built in 200 qt. insulated ice box and a 9' x 8' V birth. Put in a direct drive type power plant in her, now something has to go. Will it be the large gas tank, fish holds or what. It's on a trailer, if someone wants a flat deck, they either will be really high above the water line (more rolling) or need to get outboards.......

IMO

brian_g · Apr-02-2007, 08:26 AM

If it is an issue with space, how do Blackman boats have a 1-ton fish hold, flush deck, and ~150 gal fuel?

I'm looking seriously at Sea Sport and Blackman boats and the flush cockpit space is a significant issue for me.

BTW, thanks for the info!

Double Z · Apr-02-2007, 09:05 AM

Another variable is the length of your powerplant. Strippers with 4cyl diesels have a hatch that comes into the cockpit about 6". My 6 cyl makes the hatch about 1 1/2' or so. Ole's Davis does not have the lame ass Euro transom, he has a V8 and the hatch is about 3' square. That is a plus since it is now large enough to ba a stable fishing platform.

Double Z · Apr-02-2007, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian_g

If it is an issue with space, how do Blackman boats have a 1-ton fish hold, flush deck, and ~150 gal fuel?

I'm looking seriously at Sea Sport and Blackman boats and the flush cockpit space is a significant issue for me.

BTW, thanks for the info!

That's been covered. The V is deep enough to eat the powerplant under the deck. BTW, that 26 Outerbanks would be sweet. Especially with twin 45 gallon Pacific bait tanks on a shallow swimstep.

?? fisherman · Apr-02-2007, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian_g

If it is an issue with space, how do Blackman boats have a 1-ton fish hold, flush deck, and ~150 gal fuel?

I'm looking seriously at Sea Sport and Blackman boats and the flush cockpit space is a significant issue for me.

BTW, thanks for the info!

As AFRY stated, the floor of the blackmans is raised which inturn gives you a shorter gunwale. I like having the depth myself.

The unknown fisherman

TGee · Apr-02-2007, 12:15 PM

Raising the floor raises the center of gravity and that is made even more a rolling problem when you put the weight of a flybridge (with a couple of 200 pounders) on top.
The Blackman '26 as an example, rolls a BUNCH!
Buying a boat boils down to a series of compromises.

Afry · Apr-02-2007, 12:31 PM

There is no subsititute for fishing a boat before deciding that's the hull you want. You never know how bad or good it will roll, drift, slap, pound or handle a following sea till you ride in it. These things are much more important then the amenities it has or way it looks at the show or dock just sitting there.

I however don't follow my own adivice and bought my Sea Cat from back east sight unseen (but got lucky) so what the fuck do I know.