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Author Topic:   SPORT 15 Conversion to Center Console

lucky 13 posted 03-30-2004 12:16 AM ET (US)
I recently purchased a nice 15 sport to replace my 13 (just as Bigshot predicted). The boat and 70 hp Johnson were in better than average shape having never been in salt. The boat was turn key pretty much and I promptly registered it and launched her. I am really impressed at what a difference this boat is as it is much faster, stable and able to handle much more chop than a 13 classic. I realized that I had found the perfect hull to begin another prject. I had a vision of a what I wanted a 15 whaler to look like in my head and I set out to create a fast well proportioned 15 center console. Here are some pictures of my progress. They include some detailed photograghs of a modification which Backlash was kind enough to share with me (control cable tunnel under the deck). I have tried hard to maintain the best boatbuilding practices (no cut corners)and I have collected over $1000 worth of all new rigging and hardware which is soon to be assembled. The hard work is behind me. I plan on finishing it by April 10.
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mchryss2000/album?.dir=/c5b2
HAPPYJIM posted 03-30-2004 06:08 AM ET (US)
Excellent slideshow of the work, step by step.
Did you fill around the length of the tube or just at each end?
Was the drill bit hard to control(keep straight)?
What did you power the bit with?
You have me thinking about what to do with my 13 footer!
keltonkrew posted 03-30-2004 07:44 AM ET (US)
Dang Mark.....getting after it....Looks like it's almost ready to go fishin!
Good job and nice looking boat!
lucky 13 posted 03-30-2004 08:26 AM ET (US)
Happyjim,
I filled the voids with foam (aerosol can type) from both sides. I trimmed the excess and used hull and deck compound (a material used by boat builders to fill voids and create fillets)to form a fillet between the tube and the boat. One of the tricks to good glasswork is to make smooth transitions between the areas needing reinforcement.
Control of the bit was a problem. The drill bit shown in the pictures is an idea that backlash suggested although he had not tested it. As it turns out, that bit broke (not flexible enough) and I had to fabricate a different one made from 1/4'' steel rod. I used a regular hand drill with a 3/8'' chuck to drive it.
Your 13 should have a nice ditch down the center where all of your control cables can rest. Place a false deck over the top between the console and the seat and your cables are out of the way and you have a flat surface to palce your feet on. I recently "monsterized" a 13 classic with a console and it was awesome. It looked like a 3/4 scale Montauk.
Backlash posted 03-30-2004 08:30 AM ET (US)
Mark,
Great step-by-step photos of your progress! The large Carolina Skiff console looks like it was made
for the 15...looks very nice. Can't wait to see photos of the completed boat.
Steve
lucky 13 posted 03-30-2004 12:26 PM ET (US)
Backlash,
The console, as it was originally, did not fit well. I had to alter it a bit to achieve the right fit. It is well ballanced with the boat now though. As I stated Earlier, the tough work is behind me now. The rest of the work will go fast. I purchased a wind screen and rail (both nice quality) which will really dress it up. I need to start thinking of seating. Any Ideas?
keltonkrew posted 03-30-2004 01:58 PM ET (US)
72qt marine coolers with cushions....plenty of space to hold fish, food, beverages, bait, etc.
ChicagoBud posted 03-30-2004 02:12 PM ET (US)
I liked your idea of that leaning post. How well does the gel coat of the console match the whaler gel coat?
-- Bud
lucky 13 posted 03-31-2004 08:57 AM ET (US)
Bud,
The console gelcoat is stark white and the interior of the boat is desert sand so there is a difference in the colors. However, the exterior gel on the boat is white and so it does not look mis-matched.
Kelton,
I used a 72 Qt. Igloo Marine cooler with a cushion on my 13. It fit well in the boat, but it was tough to share with another rider (I'm 6'2"" @ 205lbs). I would opt for the 96 qt if I use the cooler. However, as with the side mount control, it does not fit my vision for the boat. I think I might use a custom made leaning post which has room for a cooler underneath. Leaning posts come in many shapes, sizes and designs. I am leaning toward (no pun intended) this one pictured at the bottom of the linked webpage http://www.boekerindustries.com/posts.html . I talked with the fabricator and he said he could alter the dimensions so I can taylor it to the boat. I don't want to have it seem disproprtional to the boat and it must function well and not crowd the cockpit.
I have found it pays dividends to get the opinions of other "Whalerists" (a term I saw used by a new member recently..it made me chuckle). So if any of you have ideas, please share them with me.
Thanks to all
ChicagoBud posted 03-31-2004 06:19 PM ET (US)
I think it will look great with that leaning post. What would need to be modified?
keltonkrew posted 03-31-2004 11:05 PM ET (US)
Mark, I never said I shared my cooler :) I drive, they sit up front or don't go! (well, sometimes I let my cajun friend drive)
I think that leaning post with the cooler would be great! Can't wait to see the boat all together!
lucky 13 posted 04-02-2004 11:05 AM ET (US)
Keltonkrew,
I don't mind sharing the cooler seat as long as the passengers don't mind keeping it stocked. I want to try to stay away from the cooler seat for this boat for safety reasons. My boat will have no rails other than the grab rail on the console. This boat is capable of near 50 mph. I tend to feel that the cooler is not sufficient as it is not affixed to the deck and cannot be used as a brace. The leaning post will provide something substantial to brace against and to hold on to.
Bud,
The leaning post which I linked in my previous post may not need to be altered to fit the boat. However, having now outfitted two Whalers. I know that even after carefully measuring, the actual components always seem to take up more space than you think they will so I want to be extra careful. Additionally, each one is individually made by order so you can have them build it to suite your needs ergonomically as well as aesthetically.
jimh posted 04-02-2004 07:49 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the link to the photo-album. It shows very nicely the technique for drilling the rigging tunnel in the deck of the SPORT 15.
Backlash posted 04-03-2004 08:52 AM ET (US)
Mark,
IMO, the leaning post is the way to go. On my 15 SS I had the stock (InterTrim) leaning post shortened 2 or 3 inches locally to better match up with my center console which may have been a little shorter than yours.
Steve
whalebone posted 04-05-2004 05:51 PM ET (US)
Lucky13
Great job did you mention you did your 13 like that? do you have a link to the site. Also, will 33" leaning post fit? I have a 13" also looking to trick it out.
thanks.
edg
lucky 13 posted 04-06-2004 09:25 AM ET (US)
whalebone,
I emailed you a link to the 13 pics. As I mentioned in my previous post, I can have the 33 inch wide post custom tailored to fit the boat. The width is appropriate as it leaves about a foot on either side. The height is what will make it look out of ballance with the boat if it is not correct. I will probably have the post made 30 in. wide and 27 in. tall (to the top of the cushion).
Backlash,
I am not familiar with the Inter Trim leaning post. Was this a stock Boston Whaler post for a larger model?
Backlash posted 04-07-2004 08:39 AM ET (US)
Mark,
Sorry for the confusing wording regarding the leaning post. It was a stock (off the shelf) unit I bought from InterTrim (no longer in business) and then had it shortened 2-3 inches locally. I believe it was 28-30" wide.
Steve
whalerwishes posted 03-25-2005 02:46 PM ET (US)
lucky 13 i was wondering if you had any pictures of the final out come and was wondering if you ran your steering through the conduit in the floor
thanks
Dan
cubanwhaler posted 02-29-2008 02:21 PM ET (US)
Lucky13, if you see this can you please send me the pictured of your work that you posted here br=efroe. i am interested very much in the same project for my 15. thanks!
zotcha posted 03-02-2008 10:41 AM ET (US)
lucky13, I also would like to view the original progress pics. as well as any that you may have of the finished product. Thanks. zotcha.
zotcha@hargray.com
captj14 posted 03-02-2008 03:32 PM ET (US)
Also doing a similar project...would love to see the pictures...
zotcha posted 03-10-2008 04:56 PM ET (US)
Any help other than emailing direct? Thanks. zotcha.
krabbipatti posted 03-13-2008 10:54 PM ET (US)
do you have any wrap around seating or wrap around rails left
an86carrera posted 03-14-2008 07:51 AM ET (US)
I have done this conversion and love it, see my homepage listed in my profile. There are different directories, they are all public.
Len
george nagy posted 03-14-2008 03:55 PM ET (US)
I can't see your pics for some rreason and am feeling really left out.
ebrady posted 03-15-2008 12:12 PM ET (US)
I would love to see what you did with the 13. I am ready to embark on that project right now. Any photos or tips would be much appreciated.
ebrady@iasinc.com

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Author	Topic: SPORT 15 Conversion to Center Console
lucky 13	posted 03-30-2004 12:16 AM ET (US) I recently purchased a nice 15 sport to replace my 13 (just as Bigshot predicted). The boat and 70 hp Johnson were in better than average shape having never been in salt. The boat was turn key pretty much and I promptly registered it and launched her. I am really impressed at what a difference this boat is as it is much faster, stable and able to handle much more chop than a 13 classic. I realized that I had found the perfect hull to begin another prject. I had a vision of a what I wanted a 15 whaler to look like in my head and I set out to create a fast well proportioned 15 center console. Here are some pictures of my progress. They include some detailed photograghs of a modification which Backlash was kind enough to share with me (control cable tunnel under the deck). I have tried hard to maintain the best boatbuilding practices (no cut corners)and I have collected over $1000 worth of all new rigging and hardware which is soon to be assembled. The hard work is behind me. I plan on finishing it by April 10. http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mchryss2000/album?.dir=/c5b2
HAPPYJIM	posted 03-30-2004 06:08 AM ET (US) Excellent slideshow of the work, step by step. Did you fill around the length of the tube or just at each end? Was the drill bit hard to control(keep straight)? What did you power the bit with? You have me thinking about what to do with my 13 footer!
keltonkrew	posted 03-30-2004 07:44 AM ET (US) Dang Mark.....getting after it....Looks like it's almost ready to go fishin! Good job and nice looking boat!
lucky 13	posted 03-30-2004 08:26 AM ET (US) Happyjim, I filled the voids with foam (aerosol can type) from both sides. I trimmed the excess and used hull and deck compound (a material used by boat builders to fill voids and create fillets)to form a fillet between the tube and the boat. One of the tricks to good glasswork is to make smooth transitions between the areas needing reinforcement. Control of the bit was a problem. The drill bit shown in the pictures is an idea that backlash suggested although he had not tested it. As it turns out, that bit broke (not flexible enough) and I had to fabricate a different one made from 1/4'' steel rod. I used a regular hand drill with a 3/8'' chuck to drive it. Your 13 should have a nice ditch down the center where all of your control cables can rest. Place a false deck over the top between the console and the seat and your cables are out of the way and you have a flat surface to palce your feet on. I recently "monsterized" a 13 classic with a console and it was awesome. It looked like a 3/4 scale Montauk.
Backlash	posted 03-30-2004 08:30 AM ET (US) Mark, Great step-by-step photos of your progress! The large Carolina Skiff console looks like it was made for the 15...looks very nice. Can't wait to see photos of the completed boat. Steve
lucky 13	posted 03-30-2004 12:26 PM ET (US) Backlash, The console, as it was originally, did not fit well. I had to alter it a bit to achieve the right fit. It is well ballanced with the boat now though. As I stated Earlier, the tough work is behind me now. The rest of the work will go fast. I purchased a wind screen and rail (both nice quality) which will really dress it up. I need to start thinking of seating. Any Ideas?
keltonkrew	posted 03-30-2004 01:58 PM ET (US) 72qt marine coolers with cushions....plenty of space to hold fish, food, beverages, bait, etc.
ChicagoBud	posted 03-30-2004 02:12 PM ET (US) I liked your idea of that leaning post. How well does the gel coat of the console match the whaler gel coat? -- Bud
lucky 13	posted 03-31-2004 08:57 AM ET (US) Bud, The console gelcoat is stark white and the interior of the boat is desert sand so there is a difference in the colors. However, the exterior gel on the boat is white and so it does not look mis-matched. Kelton, I used a 72 Qt. Igloo Marine cooler with a cushion on my 13. It fit well in the boat, but it was tough to share with another rider (I'm 6'2"" @ 205lbs). I would opt for the 96 qt if I use the cooler. However, as with the side mount control, it does not fit my vision for the boat. I think I might use a custom made leaning post which has room for a cooler underneath. Leaning posts come in many shapes, sizes and designs. I am leaning toward (no pun intended) this one pictured at the bottom of the linked webpage http://www.boekerindustries.com/posts.html . I talked with the fabricator and he said he could alter the dimensions so I can taylor it to the boat. I don't want to have it seem disproprtional to the boat and it must function well and not crowd the cockpit. I have found it pays dividends to get the opinions of other "Whalerists" (a term I saw used by a new member recently..it made me chuckle). So if any of you have ideas, please share them with me. Thanks to all
ChicagoBud	posted 03-31-2004 06:19 PM ET (US) I think it will look great with that leaning post. What would need to be modified?
keltonkrew	posted 03-31-2004 11:05 PM ET (US) Mark, I never said I shared my cooler :) I drive, they sit up front or don't go! (well, sometimes I let my cajun friend drive) I think that leaning post with the cooler would be great! Can't wait to see the boat all together!
lucky 13	posted 04-02-2004 11:05 AM ET (US) Keltonkrew, I don't mind sharing the cooler seat as long as the passengers don't mind keeping it stocked. I want to try to stay away from the cooler seat for this boat for safety reasons. My boat will have no rails other than the grab rail on the console. This boat is capable of near 50 mph. I tend to feel that the cooler is not sufficient as it is not affixed to the deck and cannot be used as a brace. The leaning post will provide something substantial to brace against and to hold on to. Bud, The leaning post which I linked in my previous post may not need to be altered to fit the boat. However, having now outfitted two Whalers. I know that even after carefully measuring, the actual components always seem to take up more space than you think they will so I want to be extra careful. Additionally, each one is individually made by order so you can have them build it to suite your needs ergonomically as well as aesthetically.
jimh	posted 04-02-2004 07:49 PM ET (US) Thanks for the link to the photo-album. It shows very nicely the technique for drilling the rigging tunnel in the deck of the SPORT 15.
Backlash	posted 04-03-2004 08:52 AM ET (US) Mark, IMO, the leaning post is the way to go. On my 15 SS I had the stock (InterTrim) leaning post shortened 2 or 3 inches locally to better match up with my center console which may have been a little shorter than yours. Steve
whalebone	posted 04-05-2004 05:51 PM ET (US) Lucky13 Great job did you mention you did your 13 like that? do you have a link to the site. Also, will 33" leaning post fit? I have a 13" also looking to trick it out. thanks. edg
lucky 13	posted 04-06-2004 09:25 AM ET (US) whalebone, I emailed you a link to the 13 pics. As I mentioned in my previous post, I can have the 33 inch wide post custom tailored to fit the boat. The width is appropriate as it leaves about a foot on either side. The height is what will make it look out of ballance with the boat if it is not correct. I will probably have the post made 30 in. wide and 27 in. tall (to the top of the cushion). Backlash, I am not familiar with the Inter Trim leaning post. Was this a stock Boston Whaler post for a larger model?
Backlash	posted 04-07-2004 08:39 AM ET (US) Mark, Sorry for the confusing wording regarding the leaning post. It was a stock (off the shelf) unit I bought from InterTrim (no longer in business) and then had it shortened 2-3 inches locally. I believe it was 28-30" wide. Steve
whalerwishes	posted 03-25-2005 02:46 PM ET (US) lucky 13 i was wondering if you had any pictures of the final out come and was wondering if you ran your steering through the conduit in the floor thanks Dan
cubanwhaler	posted 02-29-2008 02:21 PM ET (US) Lucky13, if you see this can you please send me the pictured of your work that you posted here br=efroe. i am interested very much in the same project for my 15. thanks!
zotcha	posted 03-02-2008 10:41 AM ET (US) lucky13, I also would like to view the original progress pics. as well as any that you may have of the finished product. Thanks. zotcha. zotcha@hargray.com
captj14	posted 03-02-2008 03:32 PM ET (US) Also doing a similar project...would love to see the pictures...
zotcha	posted 03-10-2008 04:56 PM ET (US) Any help other than emailing direct? Thanks. zotcha.
krabbipatti	posted 03-13-2008 10:54 PM ET (US) do you have any wrap around seating or wrap around rails left
an86carrera	posted 03-14-2008 07:51 AM ET (US) I have done this conversion and love it, see my homepage listed in my profile. There are different directories, they are all public. Len
george nagy	posted 03-14-2008 03:55 PM ET (US) I can't see your pics for some rreason and am feeling really left out.
ebrady	posted 03-15-2008 12:12 PM ET (US) I would love to see what you did with the 13. I am ready to embark on that project right now. Any photos or tips would be much appreciated. ebrady@iasinc.com