removing bow floor well/ cooler on 196

[aquaprouts]

Has anyone removed the large center bow locker/cooler on a 196 and replaced it? Mine is sagging on the stearn side and has cracked the rails above that the hatch doors screw into.  Have looked at it a number of ways and seems the easiest method to repair the rails and prop back up the cooler would be to cut it out and rebuild a new, beefed up framework under and around it to prop it back up......would most likely run lumber across the lower stringers below and go from there.....thanks and any photos of a rebuild of similar project appreciated......capt kurt

[Woodeneye]

I too am interested in such a project. Mine had already been removed by the previous owner when the cockpit floor was replaced. I'd like to put in a original configuration. Any info on previous rebuilds would be super helpful.
Cheers,
Woodeneye

[gman 82 aquasport]

Aquasprouts, You can cut it out by cutting around the edge leaving an inch or 2 for reglassing it back..cut both sides after removing the hatches..cut along the flat part between the hatch and the liner side..On the verticle side back toward the console measure off 2 inches and cut the verticle wall  and cut along the bottom of the verticle wall about 2 inches from the floor..This will give you a good mating surface to reglass to. You can look thru my rebuild and see where I cut my fish box down some..Once the front piece is cut loose, you can flip it over and remove the foam insulation and them grind and re-inforce the fiberglass..
Woodeneye, don't know where you can find a replacement front section, but if you follow ricks and capt koz's rebuild you can get an idea of how much you can design and do your own custom front area..

[aquaprouts]

thank you gman....what is your topic called on your rebuild?  Also, what prop do you run on your 150? I've got an 1993 merc 150 efi on my 196.....What cruising and wot do you get through out the rpm range? my boat came with a high 5 five bladed and waiting to put a tach in to get performance numbers, though had it at 41 mph wot.....I think there should be a lot more!....thnx

[gman 82 aquasport]

82 aquasport osprey19-6 rebuild, I think it's on page 4 of the rebuild section. 92 Johnson 150 (carb motor) 25 inch shaft, 15x17 stainless 3 blade prop, nothing fancy.. Cruising at 3800 to 4000 I get to about 30-33 mph, at 5000 rpm about 38 mph. Most of my ocean time it's usually held to about 3000 rpm and about 20-24 mph..I also have a 55 gallon fuel tank(moved forward) a T-Top, and extra glass on the inside hull and stringers from my rebuild..I tend to not push the rpm limits unless on the lake on smooth water

[aquaprouts]

Gman.....fantastic rebuild you did on your vessel!  I wont be going that far with mine by a long shot but learned a lot from your rebuild and have a plan for repairing that front storage area.  Particularly liked the anchor davit you built as I have been wondering how to incorporate one into these boats that looks good......How much does your "new boat" weigh minus the engine?  Did you beef up/overglass the side of the hulls in any way?  These 196's seem to be very thin walled midship on the vertical hull walls and don't know if others have added another layer of glass strengthen/ quiet them down....In your research, does any company make a stock composite tank that will fit into a 196 at 40 to 45 gallons? I come up with moeller over and over but they don't seem to make that size tank range that is short enough top to bottom.   Again, great job on that boat!

[gman 82 aquasport]

Approximate weight without engine is 3100 lbs, full load fuel, all gear and t-top and electronics. Best quess hull complete , no fuel in tank no t-top,electronics or gear or anchors(2)or batteries(2) my hull weighs about 2400 lbs ,  I did not glass up the liner walls as I did not remove the liner. My tank is an INCA, poly tank I got from greatlakesskipper.com, I removed the tank coffin and made a new support system for the tank. My tank has angled sides that matched up with hull almost perfect, all I had to do was put a new bottom down and install bulkheads. If you remove the tank coffin it gives you a few more inches of depth and the other tank may well fit, just will need a new floor piece under it so water can go under the floor and not by the tank, I would recommend bulkheads at both ends of the tank.(This would be if the tank was rectangular with a flat bottom). Thanks for the compliment. Let me know if there's anything else youy need info on, glad to help.
google and check out the Pascoe method of tank installation it's fairly easy to do and keeps the tank secure..

Just make sure to seal it well!!

[Aquasport Commodore]

Here are a couple of tank options I found for my 200 which is almost the same as yours
50 gal http://www.boatstore.com/ft5037-50-gall ... x-95h.html
73 gal http://www.iboats.com/73-Gallon-Fuel-Ta ... _id.686983

[gman 82 aquasport]

Not sure of the width you have to play with, but if you do remove the coffin , you may be able to get the deeper tank in there..
Check out these I just found on greatlakesskipper.com  
part #8300656  40 gal poly......249.95
       #1030299  80 gal poly......549.95
       #1041213  59 gal poly......359.95
They do ship and it's not cheap....but could save you a few $$$.
I learned a lot that I will take to the next build( think 222-CCP or 246 CCP)...I will attest to this, these hulls are weight sensitive...I pushed my tank forward about 16 inches and almost went to far.. the front fish box drain is at water level without anyone up front, when me and the Mrs are both on the front deck area , the drain is under water, I keep a plug in it if I'm not using the fish box..