small boat. Center console?

[baconbiscut]

I love this boat but its not pretty and its just kind of dull. I decided that it would be cool to put a floor in this boat with a small cc and a bench seat and a bow seat. The reason why is I have a 25foot cabin cruiser and I love sitting down and being able to drive with a sterring wheel. But my big boat sucks gas and isn't the greatest fishing machine. Would it be possible to build my vision and what kind how exactly should I build it. Also could I put foam under the floor foor extra flotation. For power I have a 1965 20 h.p. Mercury so it should be able to handle the extra weight. Bare bones I can get the boat plane with a 5.5hp johnson a 12mph. I have a picture atached of the boat to show you what i have to work with. Thanks Dan

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: small boat. Center console?

how big is it? seems like its doable. maybe a small sit down console, or side console? that 20 maybe a bit much depending on the boats size.

 

[baconbiscut]

Re: small boat. Center console?

14ft about 4.5 ft wide its rated for 18 but I just won't go full throttle. Also its rated for 700lbs will adding foam under the floor bring that number up some. I really would like a center console because i'm afraid the boat ride way off balance with a side console. I'm pretty sure that I can make it work I drew out some plans for a center console

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: small boat. Center console?

yea i am sure it'll work, 4.5 wide is pretty good, i moslty deal in large boats but that seems fine, even being rated at 18 u should be fine with the 20...of course you'l go WOT...how deep is it? that is the main thing. Foam will add weight when it soaks up water. I would do the coke bottle method...i might be doing that when i get my floor out and get everything ready or just take the foam out all togehter. I am in the process of ripping up my old floor and it is just soaked to the bone with water.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: small boat. Center console?

hmm.... might not be your cup of tea, but for a small boat to put a 20HP on and a console in.... can't really beat an inflatable. A 12' with aluminum floor is very workable for that sort of thing- pics soon of my 14' unihelm project made from an old weight bench in my neighbour's trash...haha... it looks very pro...

All that said... here's a 12' tinny w/18HP I saw for sale locally that has what you describe.

Those old Mcculloch 12' aluminums like this were only rated for 10HP but from the looks of this setup it's a boat for one person and maybe the dog. Can't load it up with 4 people and expect to have any safety.

The ad if you want to read it and see bigger pics:
http://peterborough.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-boats-Fishing-Boat-for-Sale-W0QQAdIdZ27881455

 

[Willyclay]

Re: small boat. Center console?

I have seen several basic aluminum hulls that had floor boards and consoles added to make them more comfortable and functional. Should not be difficult to do. The weight thing may be bigger than you think since your boat is "rated" for 700lbs max capacity. I don't believe you can change that rating if you add additional flotation. Good luck

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: small boat. Center console?

you know i'm going to say go with the stick steering and controls. but this is what i see. taking the seats out, jeopardizes the structure. so we try to compensate.

yellow front deck at the seat level, for strength in the bow. green rear seat, and strength, blue console, purple seat, red outline of the floor, black control cables under the floor. the console has to be wide enough to get the helm and cable into it. the console i use on my center console was just wide enough.

side note: is that barn the leaning tower of mandarin?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: small boat. Center console?

this is the console i used it will give you and idea of the size, boy they have gone up in price. "http://www.discountmarinesupplies.com/Center_Consoles-TODD_SMALL_CENTER_CONSOLE.html"

notice the helm out of center, it really should have gone to the port even more, was just able to get cable into it. teleflex rotary helm.

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: small boat. Center console?

Center consoles and little boats, seems like there's quite a few people doing that, I'd lean more towards stick stearing due to room, or lack of in a small boat, but I do like the looks of what TD did with his, we should see if we can get others to post pictures of how they did theirs, I have to agree with Baconbiscut, I like the steering wheel on the bigger boat better then the tiller steering on the little boat.

 

[MikDee]

Re: small boat. Center console?

IMO, adding a nice wooden deck (mock planked maybe) from stem, to stern, then cutouts for dual cockpits for the front, and center seating, with a nice dashboard, & center steering, in the middle seat would look sharp, and increase the total strength, & durability, of the boat without excess weight, and if you extend the sides of the top deck to the transom, and add some corner braces underneath, it would reinforce that also. Driving from the center seat on small boats, gives them better handling, & weight balance while keeping the bow in the air at your throttle control for rougher water, and increasing speed.

 

[MikDee]

Re: small boat. Center console?

This is something like what I meant, this is a 10' class A/B 2 cockpit racing runabout, with simply a sheet of plywood covering the top as a deck, with a couple of bowed frames underneath for support.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: small boat. Center console?

some pics of my unihelm project here:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=226571

 

[baconbiscut]

Re: small boat. Center console?

you know i'm going to say go with the stick steering and controls. but this is what i see. taking the seats out, jeopardizes the structure. so we try to compensate.

yellow front deck at the seat level, for strength in the bow. green rear seat, and strength, blue console, purple seat, red outline of the floor, black control cables under the floor. the console has to be wide enough to get the helm and cable into it. the console i use on my center console was just wide enough.

side note: is that barn the leaning tower of mandarin?

Sorry I haven't posted back in a while I plan to start working this weekend if nothing comes up. If I do i'll try and post pics I also have to check my materials. I plan on making my cc instead of buying one. I f anybody has any expierence making a cc any advice would be great. Thanks Dan

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: small boat. Center console?

you have email.

 

[jmilla]

Re: small boat. Center console?

I am new to this forum and i stumbled upon this thread because i am researching and possibly considering making a center console for my project 1972 18 foot starcraft holiday. the boat is completely gutted already, but i was just wondering how difficult it would be to wire and install a center console. i would build the console itself though. i wouldnt want anything fancy just the basics. and im i am getting a 40 to 60 hp outboard for it. if anyone has ever built something like this or has any advice let me know! thanks!

 

[boatnut74]

Re: small boat. Center console?

This is a 5 year old thread. You would be better to start a new one with your questions.