1989 Tracker Pro 17 Restore/Center Console Conversion

[brinsonwebb]

Hey guys I'm about to restore and modify my 89 Tracker 17 to a CC. This is only the second restore ive ever done in my life so I hope this forum will be able to help me along my long journey with this boat.
Here is a list of things im going to be doing.

1. Take out the old console (Done)
2. Remove all old carpet and residue left behind on the rear deck.
3. Replace the wood flooring with new marine grade plywood.
4. Remove the old waterlogged foam and replace it with closed cell foam that is water resistant.
5. Clean the boat with lumna brite and wrap the outside with max 4 camo, what i cant wrap ill paint OD GREEN
6. Install a removable bench on the back deck for additional seating.
7. Install a bench in front of the back deck for driver seating.
8. Construct a center console and hook up all new gauges and gps/fishfinders
9. Paint the motor (40 horse Mariner) and apply new decals
10. Install new carpet
11. Install new radio and marine grade speakers.

OK guys that being said I have a few questions.

1. When I purchased the boat I could tell on my first outing that it either had faulty wiring or bad switches, does anyone think that rewiring the entire boat just to be safe is to extensive?
2. The throttle is set up to be mounted to the right of the boat but I want to mount it to the left of the console is it possible to swap the throttle around to a left side conversion?
3. Any ideas on a console? dont want anything to wide I have my eye kinda hard on this one A guy used a deep toolbox and mahogony strips to make this one.

Any more ideas would be awesome! Ill mostly be using it for duckhunting and some bassfishing, so keep that in mind

 

[saumon]

Re: 1989 Tracker Pro 17 Restore/Center Console Conversion

Hi,

I did a full resto of a similar boat (a 1993 Tracker Pro Deep-V 17) a few years ago, so here's my thoughts:

- you talk of faulty wires or switches; which ones? Only one system or everything? I wouldn't rewire everything if there's only one problem
- for the deck, I used BC fir (won't rot) exterior grade plywood covered with epoxy then, instead of carpet, I covered everything with marine grade vinyl flooring, glued on top and with SS staples on the underside. Way better than carpet; spray with a hose and foget it.
- while everything is removed, it's a cheap insurance to cover every seam and rivet, on the interior, with Gluvit. It's an epoxy sealer for aluminum.
- with a CC, don't forget to plan a rigging tunnel
- for the side control, it isn't clear. Is it the one pictured with the console? If it's mean to be on the right side of the boat, as usual, then the lever should be on the left side of the box, not on the right...

 

[brinsonwebb]

Re: 1989 Tracker Pro 17 Restore/Center Console Conversion

The lever is on the left side of the box but if I put the throttle box on the right side of the console the throttle handle will have to be on the right side of the box. Also its possible that the switches could be messed up, I'll install new switches before i rewire the whole boat.
Also should I take apart the back deck. It appears to be aluminum reinforced on the underside with plywood, but if I were to take it apart it looks like a nightmare trying to piece it back together.

Here is my work so far.
-I've removed the console and wired all the gauges back up so I wont forget what goes where
- I've got the front deck off. The foam looks dry and the front deck plywood was pretty solid. I took the floor board out (Where the console and seats are located), and let me just say it was a nightmare and completely rotten. I've also stripped the carpet off the back deck and taken off the two live wells lids and the access lid to the gas tank and batteries. (Now comes the hard part of stripping off the old glue and residue)

I have one more question I saw online where you can buy permanent gas tanks. I like that idea because then I can install a gas gauge..... I've ran out of gas before while duck hunting because I didnt realize i was low on fuel... its not fun paddling two miles in freezing cold rain. So my question is whats involved with installing one.

Heres some pictures of my progress so far.