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Can the Malahini Ski Boat be made into a bow rider. By removing the full dash will this weaken the hull . I am looking into making a Malahini and would like a bow rider.

I have seen quite a few boats in the customer photo section that have been converted to bow riders(so we kinda know it can be done) but I'm not totally sure how they do that. I would think however that removing the dash beam might cause some structural issues unless other methods of supprt can be used......sorry I was of very little help to you

Not being one to want to throw a negative wrench into the works, but I really think that converting a Malahini to be a bowrider would be a case of a lot of spent effort for very little benefit. After all the sawdust settled, the open area would be very small. I would question whether or not it would all be worth the effort UNLESS you just really wanted the open bow and didn't mind building it. Hey! This is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby and not just about getting a boat in the end.

However, if you'll notice, the classic wood designs usually have the windshield farther forward than later FRP boats. So the first step, to my way of thinking, would be to move the windshield back thereby giving more room in the bow and making the boat more practical.

Also, if you study FRP boats that feature the open bow, you'll see that these boats consist of a fiberglass hull and then a fiberglass interior assembly that sort of clamshells into the hull to make a monocoque structure. I'd be a little nervous trying that with a ply on frame boat. But maybe not with some of the stitch and glue designs. They're also of monocoque construction.

On the other hand, some ply on frame boats are obviously designed to have an open bow. I'm thinking of the Kingfisher and Key West. The Kingfisher has VERY, very similar lines to the Malahini but it's 2 ft longer. This might really make having an open bow more feasible. I think it would be cool to pattern the Kingfisher after the Malahini. I think it would be an easier transition than opening the bow on the Malahini.

Ok, there's my 2 cents. Now I'll shut up.

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Isn't it amazing!! The person that never has the fortitude to pursue his own dreams, will be the first to try and discourage you from pursuing yours.

I agree with Dave and IMO I think part of the attraction to owning the Malahini is to have a really nice wooden deck on the boat. PLUS it has a nice retro look to it that I'm not sure that adding bow seats would not detract from. Personally I think, again JMO here, that the Roustabout would lend itself better to that design mod (and the length is close to that of the Malahini). BUT of all the outboards there are I think that the Renegade would be best suited to that mod....BUT as I said this is all just my opinion...we all have to do what we have to do and build the boat that best suits our needs and wants....

Along the cockpit there are short deck beams at each frame, the ends of which are spanned by the CARLING. The inboard edge of the decking is attached to the carling. The carling ends at the dash on most designs.

To make a bowrider, the carling would be extended toward the bow. Just aft of the bow a short deck beam would be blocked to the sheers, with the carlings ending at this beam; making a "side deck" around the forward cockpit.

This will provide sufficient strength to make up for the dash and foredeck removal.