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Author Topic:   Fiberglass vs Wood

fredbrillo posted 05-07-2001 02:54 PM ET (US)
I live in South Florida and the sun plays hell on wood console and seats in my 1986 17' Montauk. Ive already redone them twice and was wondering if anyone knew where I might buy a kit to convert the boat from the sport configuration the center console configuration? Has anyone done this and how did it go?
Eric posted 05-12-2001 03:30 PM ET (US)
I've got a 1962 hull that came with a rotten (literally) wood console. The boat was pretty rough, so I wasn't too concerned with keeping it original. I put in an Aquasport console, and a Wise swingback seat. When changing to a non-BW console, the problem is that the deck is slightly concave, and the console will be made for a flat deck. I mounted 2X4s on their sides to the deck and placed the console on top, thus raising the console 4 inches. There is a gap between the leading edge of the wood and the deck, which looks fine and allows water to flow back to the front opening for the control tunnel and thus to the back of the boat. The back of the console is cut out to allow access to the fuel tank, and a shelf.
If your boat is a fairly nice one, or at least not as beat as mine was, a better option is to look at the fiberglass consoles that are available for whalers. There is a small company in North Carolina that builds some interesting skiffs, and offers these consoles. Look back through the postings from the year 2000 and you should find several links to the company. They're nice looking consoles, but pricey. I paid less than half the cost for mine (new).
The Wise swingback seat is one of the cooler type seats, and is better made than a lot of the other brands. The price was good too, although I don't remember what I paid now. I shopped for months, and got the best price from Marine Surplus in Sarasota, FL.
The biggest drawback can be that your boat may end up being mistaken for a McKee or other knock off, however I haven't had that happen much, and mine has a splatter painted interior and no decals. People that know whalers spot it often, and I haven't had any negative feedback.
Einar posted 05-12-2001 04:05 PM ET (US)
Check out spacemkr.com and customskiffs@clis.com (projects section) I will probably step up to one of them soon.
Al
JimU posted 05-14-2001 05:28 PM ET (US)
My solution was to build one from 3/8 plywood and have it glassed inside and out. Cost about $250. JIM

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Author	Topic: Fiberglass vs Wood
fredbrillo	posted 05-07-2001 02:54 PM ET (US) I live in South Florida and the sun plays hell on wood console and seats in my 1986 17' Montauk. Ive already redone them twice and was wondering if anyone knew where I might buy a kit to convert the boat from the sport configuration the center console configuration? Has anyone done this and how did it go?
Eric	posted 05-12-2001 03:30 PM ET (US) I've got a 1962 hull that came with a rotten (literally) wood console. The boat was pretty rough, so I wasn't too concerned with keeping it original. I put in an Aquasport console, and a Wise swingback seat. When changing to a non-BW console, the problem is that the deck is slightly concave, and the console will be made for a flat deck. I mounted 2X4s on their sides to the deck and placed the console on top, thus raising the console 4 inches. There is a gap between the leading edge of the wood and the deck, which looks fine and allows water to flow back to the front opening for the control tunnel and thus to the back of the boat. The back of the console is cut out to allow access to the fuel tank, and a shelf. If your boat is a fairly nice one, or at least not as beat as mine was, a better option is to look at the fiberglass consoles that are available for whalers. There is a small company in North Carolina that builds some interesting skiffs, and offers these consoles. Look back through the postings from the year 2000 and you should find several links to the company. They're nice looking consoles, but pricey. I paid less than half the cost for mine (new). The Wise swingback seat is one of the cooler type seats, and is better made than a lot of the other brands. The price was good too, although I don't remember what I paid now. I shopped for months, and got the best price from Marine Surplus in Sarasota, FL. The biggest drawback can be that your boat may end up being mistaken for a McKee or other knock off, however I haven't had that happen much, and mine has a splatter painted interior and no decals. People that know whalers spot it often, and I haven't had any negative feedback.
Einar	posted 05-12-2001 04:05 PM ET (US) Check out spacemkr.com and customskiffs@clis.com (projects section) I will probably step up to one of them soon. Al
JimU	posted 05-14-2001 05:28 PM ET (US) My solution was to build one from 3/8 plywood and have it glassed inside and out. Cost about $250. JIM