The cockpit coaming adds significant 'stiffness' to the 'fanny area' and cockpit of a Ty37; plus that coaming prevents the cockpit from being flooded by a boarding/breaking, etc. windward (high) side waves. That this 'removal' now leaves a 90° 'notch' (significant structural stress riser) at the interface of the coach roof/cabin and cockpit area surely weakens the design.
RichH - I hate you...for sounding exactly like my conscience...

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Thanks all for the replies. I have been toying with the Al/Stainless fabricated build-up idea that would be through-bolted with a backing plate to make sure the winches are secure, with FG over it to get the aesthetics back. I like also the idea of the C-flex with a smaller stainless or Al pedestal for the winches.
However, my main concern was the 90% "notch" Rich mentions - even if I get the winches secure by using a fab structure piece, I still would worry about later cracks at the joint - just imagine anyone of you looking to buy the boat in a few years seeing a crack run the length of the coaming...you'll do what I should - run!
I'm a sucker for these boats, and the fact that it's less than a mile from my marina (yeah, WTF does a Tayana 37 do on a lake...) When you add the price - probably south of 30K - it means serious temptation
Contrary to the photographic evidence, I'm convinced that the current owner is not a chainsaw wielding nutter - he genuinely believed he is starting off right - cut it off neat, build it up properly and his boat was good as rain again...
In the end, I think the scope of what he tackled only became evident after it was too late (by the way, it's not ply wood in the scars - he glassed over the open core with mat and west system to seal it till he got time to do the real job).
He definitely know what the result is - he is listing the boat for ~25K less than what he paid for her in 2010.
Although it breaks my heart, I will have to walk away from this one....
unless Mr Perry chimes in with a comment on the feasibility of getting two coamings from the yard...
