DIY Console

[Lukiebs]

Hi all, I've made a center console for my boat project. It is constructed out of ply,just need to know how to finish it off as in do I cover it with fiberglass matting or just seal it with epoxy resin. It will be painted along with the rest of the inside of the boat. Thanks

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: DIY Console

Both.

It will be stronger and last longer.

 

[Lukiebs]

Re: DIY Console

Thanks for the quick reply. Should it be woven mat or just csm?

 

[DukesFin]

Re: DIY Console

It depends... CSM will have more "texture" to it, and finishing veil will be much smoother. Cloth will actually help with the structural integrity, but if you've built it well and it's sturdy "as-is", you may not need the help of the cloth. You would then just be using the fiberglass to seal the construction from possible rot.

If you really want "fancy", you can fair it out before painting and make it just as smooth as you want!

either way, be sure to do an extra layer or two on the bottom edges! Can you show us some pictures of it?

 

[erikgreen]

Re: DIY Console

Ditto on the pics.


I'm building one of these for myself soon, and I'm planning on 1/2" plywood with both sides laminated with 8-12 oz cloth, and the outside probably gelcoated, but maybe faired and painted.

I'll be interested to see what you've got built.

Erik

 

[Lukiebs]

Re: DIY Console

Heres a pic. Sorry for the delay. Have had my grandfather die last week. He was a great fisherman who taught me what I know. Anyway Still got sanding to do on it and will glass it and get it faied once i finish the transom. I used 15mm ply ,not to sure of the conversion to inches. Thanks guy

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: DIY Console

Condolences Lukiebs, to you & your family...Grandpa would of liked that console...I do too, greaat job so far!

 

[jspano]

Re: DIY Console

looks nice, good wood work

sorry about your grandfather... he'd been proud of that console

 

[DukesFin]

Re: DIY Console

Very sorry to hear about your grandfather.

Now, your center console... Do you know the phrase "built like a brick #*!%house"? That would be your center console!

I'd say you've got all the structure in the world that you'd ever need with the plywood you've got there. I'd only cover it with a finishing veil of glass to seal it and prep it for paint. On the insides of many consoles, I've seen CSM used just to seal it as well. This may be an option for you.

How much does that beast weigh? It looks AWESOME though! Keep it up!

 

[Lukiebs]

Re: DIY Console

Thanks for the comments and advice. Not to sure about the weight. I'm a cabinetmaker by trade so its in my blood to build thing to be solid. The dimensions on it are 1100mm high x 500mm wide x 400mm deep. Again not to sure on the conversion to inches.