1989 Outrage 18: Access Inside the Console

[PeteG]

[This thread has been moved to REPAIRS and MODIFICATIONS for discussion--jimh]

I'm having difficulty accessing the wiring inside the console of my 1989 18' Outrage, which looks as if a few "handyman" have been in there, as there are wire nuts and the VHF is in-op[erative]. I'd like to clean it up, but access through the small doors is limited.

Can I just remove the console screws and tip it up (or to the right) for better access? It has (been converted to) hydraulic steering, so no cabling [concerns]. Appreciate any help from the forum. Thanks in advance--PK

[Phil T]

Pete -

The most straight forward way is to remove the screws in the L bracket and tip the console forward. If you are going to do extensive work, you can remove the floor/shelf for complete access.

Be careful you have slack in the wiring, throttle/shift cables when tilting the console.

tipped.jpg (49.43 KiB) Viewed 6894 times

[PeteG]

Thanks for the response Phil.

I just need to get access to where the clam shells pass the wires through the top surface. Can I tip it to starboard, if I'm not disconnecting battery wires (batteries are relocated in console) and steering cables?

Looks like the plywood bottom will present problems?....

Thanks,

Pete

[Phil T]

Pete -

Before unscrewing the console, consider this:

If you unscrew the instrument panel on the starboard side of the steering wheel, you can move it to the side and reach in with your hand. The old bus bar is typically attached to the backside of the instrument panel.

[PeteG]

Phil,

Thanks for the tip. Yes, that worked.....but my DMM quit on me.

Pete

[jimh]

I noticed when on a tour of the Boston Whaler factory that rigging and electrical wiring of the center console was usually accomplished by having the center console elevated above the installer. The installer worked on the center console from underneath it, and the installer could still stand up normally, reaching overhead to the very top of the console inner space.

[jimh]

Another method to approach the wiring and rigging of a center console which will present a problem for access is to pre-assembly the system before mounting them in the center console. Take some measurements and make a temporary rigging fixture. Mount the components on the temporary fixture and run the wiring to them. When the console wiring is finished as an assembly, then install it in the console.

Boston Whaler typically uses multi-pin connectors to connect wiring harnesses installed in the console to other wiring harnesses coming from other areas of the boat to the console. I don't particularly like that approach because the connectors, their sockets, and their pin contacts introduce more points of failure in the circuit compared to a direct wire between wiring points. I am sure Boston Whaler uses the connector method to reduce rigging time. As long as very good connectors are used, the results can be very good. I am sure the Space Shuttle wiring was not all point-to-point, either.

[PeteG]

Phil,

Thanks for the tip. Yes, that worked.....but my DMM quit on me.

Pete

[porthole]

On my 1983 15' Center Console I hinged the front which allowed me to simply roll the console forward when I worked on it. Very convenient. This worked well because the console was straight edged.



Great access. You can see one of the hinges here.



On my 1997 17 Outrage II I couldn't hinge the console because it was curved along the front edge. But, It was still simple to remove the screws and roll the console forward.

This is before I started cleaning and working.



It sure made re-wiring and moving things around a lot easier.


My current 1999 21 Outrage has a T-top, so no more rolling the console forward. Fortunately the console is big enough in this boat to get inside and sit while working 'behind the scenes'.

[PeteG]

Duane, thanks for the response and great work!!

I'll have to look at the leading edge of my console, but I now know at a minimum, I can tilt it forward.

PK

[jimh]

ASIDE to PORTHOLE: heya, Duane, that was very nice work on the re-fit of the console wiring and steering. Thanks for sharing the images with us.