Upgrade Season.

[Jason B]

You know, how cool would it be if the bow storage was rhino-lined, had a drain on each side and a lip to prevent water from running into the storage underneath the dash and by the observer's seat?

At least offer it as an option. Hmmm.

Couldn't you just drill a hole or two in the floor of the bow storage so the water will drain into the bilge??
I've considered doing this with mine but the idea of drilling a hole without knowing exactly what's beneath it seemed kinda dumb. I would "think" it should have a little room under it....just really, really don't want to find out I'm wrong

[dogbert]

I actually spoke to Andrew about this and he told me the stringer system was right there on my boat, so I've been reluctant to do it.

-t

[talltigeguy]

Couldn't you just drill a hole or two in the floor of the bow storage so the water will drain into the bilge??
I've considered doing this with mine but the idea of drilling a hole without knowing exactly what's beneath it seemed kinda dumb. I would "think" it should have a little room under it....just really, really don't want to find out I'm wrong

I think that there is a big stringer that goes across the boat at about the rear of the front storage compartment. I know because I tried to drill a hole down right there and the stringer material is incredibly difficult to get through (couldn't do it). My dealer just drilled a hole in the rear wall and the water then drains to the air vent under there and into the bilge. If I take on big water, I do end up with water in there, but that is rare for me.

CHP,
I assume you would get the paint on rhinoliner? Do you have the balls to spray it? I think it would scare me too much to spray in there in case I got it all over. Would the rhinoliner be thick enough, that you would not have to prep the fiberglass to smooth it out? The more I think about this, I am liking this idea.

[Jason B]

I sprayed the liner on my truck myself. It was VERY easy and it looks awesome. I ordered the kit off ebay and it was fairly cheap. You just need the air compresor.

This is something that anyone could do. Just MAKE SURE you tape and cover what you don't want sprayed!!!! It does clean off if you get it within a couple of minutes. The fiberglass won't need to be sanded down--the lining will stick to it as long as it's not smooth and beautiful like the outside of the boat. I can't imagine that's the case, mine is lined w/ carpet, I would assume they all are. Remove the carpet and shoot away.

[dogbert]

Has anyone tried to remove the carpet out of their bow storage areas?

[chpthril]

I think that there is a big stringer that goes across the boat at about the rear of the front storage compartment. I know because I tried to drill a hole down right there and the stringer material is incredibly difficult to get through (couldn't do it). My dealer just drilled a hole in the rear wall and the water then drains to the air vent under there and into the bilge. If I take on big water, I do end up with water in there, but that is rare for me.

CHP,
I assume you would get the paint on rhinoliner? Do you have the balls to spray it? I think it would scare me too much to spray in there in case I got it all over. Would the rhinoliner be thick enough, that you would not have to prep the fiberglass to smooth it out? The more I think about this, I am liking this idea.

Yeah, I plan on using the paint/roll on. Hard to get a spraygun into the 8"x16" opening that is only about 12" deep. I plan on at least 2 coats.

Has anyone tried to remove the carpet out of their bow storage areas?

Yes, the carpet will pull of fairly easy and because the liner will be thick (as compared to paint) I dont plan to do a lot of clean up/prep

Pull carpet
sponge down with adhesive remover
scrape with putty knife
wipe down with adhesive remover
roll on Rhino Liner

any left over carpet fuzz or glue will just get covered because this will be about function and not appearance

[chpthril]

Couldn't you just drill a hole or two in the floor of the bow storage so the water will drain into the bilge??
I've considered doing this with mine but the idea of drilling a hole without knowing exactly what's beneath it seemed kinda dumb. I would "think" it should have a little room under it....just really, really don't want to find out I'm wrong

Like Tall was saying........there may be a stringer(s) under there. Do a search for "ballast" threads from late 05 to early 06. Andrey replied to this question about the stringers. Up to a certain model year and hull, you could drill through the storage floor into the bilge. Later years you cant.

Bow Drain install http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2902

This was my first attempt to solve the water in the bow storage. Although I no longer have standing water in my storage, the carpet stays wet unless I remove the sac. I am also getting some water into the port and starboard storage consoles so I sometimes have to pull everything out to dry the carpet. The only thing wet is the carpet, and anything on the floor, so I'm thinking the water is wicking through the bulkhead by way of the carpet.

I'm hoping the Rhino Lining will completely seal the bow storage from the console storage.