CCP Front floor hatches

[CajunSportsman]

I have a CCP with the single small floor hatch in the very front but have seen larger hatches like the ones pictured below.  Can anyone tell me if these were standard in certain year models or were these custom jobs?

This one looks like a mfr. job b/c the floor crosshatch texture looks smooth around the hatch:




This one looks like a do-it-yourselfer.  Not sure I want to have to lift the fishbox on its end:



Anybody have any ideas for me if I'm looking to add front/below deck storage?

[gofish]

I have a 25' CCP and it has the same hatch in front but turned length wise. It appears to be a custom job. I would think that the factory would have molded the hatch lid into the deck. It does have a net inside and is a good place to store the safety gear.

[CajunSportsman]

I just worry that if I cut into my deck, the floor strength may be compromised.  I would imagine that the factory jobs are supported around the edges underneath?

[DEFIANT]

When I replaced the front deck on my 1983 222 CCP I also enlarged the front storage hatch and insulated it so I coud store 5 - 5 gallon buckets of chum for shark fishing. I also added a 22 gallon fuel tank in front of the console.

It was easy to attach both items to the stringers on either side. I did this five or six years ago. I feel there was no loss of strength, in fact the strength was probably increased with cross bracing.

[CajunSportsman]

Defiant,

Do you have any pics of the finished product?

[DEFIANT]

I do not have pictures. I will take some though!

My boat used to have one of those big fish boxes in front of the console. I did not use it so I removed it to save on weight. Can you believe I was such a dummy I cut it up and put it in the trash!

It's a shame this website did not exist then!

[CajunSportsman]

I have that same box that came with the boat but its a beast.  Super heavy and not insulated at all.  Ice melts before I get my fishing spot.

Right now, we just put a couple of big ice chests up there but they shift around.  At least you can remove them easy to clean fish, drain, and clean up.

I'm thinking about making a new fiberglass fish box, with the three compartments like the original but well insulated.  I wonder if I made it to fit the 222 console if I could get enough people from this site to want one to make it worth my while to build the mold, etc.   Check this one out- I saw this recently on a boat for sale here in Baton Rouge.  Pretty good do-it-yourself job.  The top is a thick but firm cushion....

[gofish]

The front hatch that was added doesn't have any extra support , but it's not to far from the stringers and is pretty solid, I know the deck in the 25CCP is one inch thick. (Problem's I've had to fix was the previous owner never sealed the wood when they cut into it).

What about the fish box in the floor, my holds ice pretty good for having litttle to no insulation.

[Argo]

I hate the fish box on the deck, it is ugly and heavy.  It does hold ice well for me though.  I have filled it up and had ice a few days later in it.  Now if you only put a couple of bags in it, they melt quickly.  I dont think I am going to reuse mine when I put the boat back together.  It is still in good shape.  I may be willing to sell it but I have to figure out what I am going to do first.