Hi Folks,
I thought at one time that it would be good to get at the area under the forward bunks of my 1983 22' C-Dory Classic for storage. I don't think I would do more than a waterproof hatch because the area is designed to be flotation if you get swamped or what ever.
If I did it, I would have to think about replacing some of the area with flotation, and flotation some place else on the boat, like under the side deck in the cockpit, and, in my case, aft of the fuel tanks.
To just cut the area without thinking about the flotation might be a big mistake.
If I did cut it, I would use it for dead storage like caned goods, not gas or water tanks.
Fred