Major Modification of a MONTAUK 17 Center Console In Order to Use Side-mounted Remote Shift and Throttle Controls

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
lengreene
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2026 11:27 am

Major Modification of a MONTAUK 17 Center Console In Order to Use Side-mounted Remote Shift and Throttle Controls

Postby lengreene » Fri Oct 23, 2026 11:30 am

[The author plans to make a major modification to the center console of a MONTAUK 17 in order to allow use of side-mounting remote engine shift and throttle mechanical cable controls to be mounted below the surface of the console in a newly created recess or pocket.]

I want to keep my existing side-mount [remote engine shift and throttle mechanical cable] control, but I will recess it into the console to get it out of the way. My plan is
  • to cut a rectangular opening in the starboard side of the console,
  • build an inset "shelf" or "pocket" out of plywood covered in fiberglass, and then
  • mount the control inside that recess.
I think the [mechanical and electrical] cables are long enough to avoid having to modify or replace them.

[The author asks that anyone who has already made this modification to reply to this thread and:]
  • post photographs of how you built the pocket;
  • explain how you finished the edge (of the cutout for the recess]; and,
  • post photographs of how the final recessed [side-mounted remote engine shift and throttle] looks.


BACKSTORY
I have a MONTAUK 17. I’m dealing with people brushing past the center console and bumping the side-mounted throttle control.

jimh
Posts: 13348
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: Major Modification of a MONTAUK 17 Center Console In Order to Use Side-mounted Remote Shift and Throttle Controls

Postby jimh » Fri Oct 23, 2026 5:50 pm

Q1: is the ignition key switch and the engine shut-off safety lanyard switch part of the side-mounted remote shift and throttle controls?

Blackduck
Posts: 64
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 5:04 pm

Re: Major Modification of a MONTAUK 17 Center Console In Order to Use Side-mounted Remote Shift and Throttle Controls

Postby Blackduck » Mon Oct 26, 2026 2:32 pm

Do yourself a giant favor, go buy a binnacle control. This sounds like a ton of work to create a potentially dangerous and awkward setup.