Middle Section Cut-Out

[Soon2BV]

I have a 21.5' LSV. In the center of the boat there is a section that I assume is where the floor cut for a center engine would be. At the 'edges' of this panel, the floor gives a little between the main part of the boat and this center section.

Is this normal? Others have similar experience?

And, it there a way to remove this section? I might add some blocking tabs under the joints to strengthen this.

[99response]

Normal, it is a honeycomb aluminum panel that allows access to the fuel tank. You can remove it via two screws in the corner of the panel toward the bow, then lift out.

I would not add any support that would allow the panel to push against the fuel tank - they are not designed to take any load, just to hold fuel.

-Chris

[Pistol Pete]

Buuuuuuuuuuut,

If you do succeed in getting that panel out, and it's very difficult the first time, you'll find that your fuel tank has two open "cavaties" in the middle of it to grant access to the gorilla fin bolts. You might be able to add some sort of re-enforcement there. I invision cutting an abs pipe that will fit in the "square" holes to the correct length.