posted 01-03-2015 01:43 AM ET (US)        

[Has anyone moved] the console [toward the bow]? I am thinking about [moving the console forward to] have more room in [the stern] for fishing. I would not want to [move the console of a Boston Whaler MONTAUK 17 forward] if the ride is really bad.

posted 01-03-2015 02:24 PM ET (US)            

http://s389.photobucket.com/user/Nantucket_Sleighride/media/ MontaukCuddyCabin.jpg.html?sort=6&o=7

posted 01-03-2015 02:37 PM ET (US)            

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p99/rtkenny/menemsha/IMG_0200.jpg

The Menemsha answers two of your questions, because it eliminates the console and utilizes a helm station that is attached to the hard forward shell; there is more space in the [stern]. Not sure about the ride characteristics, but it was a weird looking duck.

You can also make one yourself. Here's a 15-footer with an enclosed bow: http://www.whalercentral.com/images/photoalbum_3/useralbum_22/ photo_169_t2.jpg

Here's a unique custom project: http://www.bandyboats.com/915sm.jpg

Of course, with the exception of buying a well used Menemsha (they are fairly difficult to find, but generally sell for cheap unless restored), you may find the best price option is to go to a local canvas shop or buy a Mills shelter for the boat.

Here is the Mills canvas: http:/ / www. thehulltruth. com/ attachments/ boating-forum/ 366168d1380 975577-why-i-love-my-boston-whaler-montauk-17-w-60-hp-4-stroke-image. jp g

As for moving the console forward, depending on the year your boat is, your floor config might limit how far forward you can move the console, and that will limit the utility/space of your forward shelter, be it canvas or fiberglass.

In general, adding weight forward (hard shelter) will improve the ride, to a point, since it will change the trim angle to cut the water where there is more of a "V" pattern on the hull *(forward, and for smirked hulls this will be a greater benefit than for smirkless ones).

If you have fiberglass construction skills, adding a hard [cuddy cabin] will cost you a lot of time and about $700 in materials. If you have a hard cabin added to the boat, it could cost several thousand or more. Mills canvas is somewhere in the ballpark of $1500 but you wouldn't be able to use it with the console moved forward as the rear bar for the shelter will interfere with the console railing. If you are set on doing both (Canvas and console forward) a good local canvas shop that comes with recommendations for custom construction might be the way to go. This could cost a couple thousand also.

posted 01-05-2015 11:01 AM ET (US)            

I'm not sure if the above link will work.

http://www.pacificpilothouse.com/#!californian/cp57

If I'm not mistaken, someone used one of these consoles on a Montauk. The first link is to what I believe is that boat.

posted 01-05-2015 11:48 AM ET (US)         

1. Why would anyone want a cuddy on a Montauk? The classic Montauk is only 16' 7" long, hardly a boat big enough to want to spend the night on. There is a reason Boston Whaler stopped building the Menemsha, it was a design that didn't really work well for anything.
2. If you moved the console forward, wouldn't the floor interfere almost immediately? The two sloping sections on each side of the boat in front of the console would get in the way if you moved the console more than a few inches.
3. If you did manage to move the console forward more than a few inches, what would be the resulting problems as far as the tunnel in the floor for cables, wires, etc?
4. Even if you could move the console all the way up to the anchor locker bulkhead (with considerable fiberglass cutting and modification, extension of the tunnel under the floor and re rigging of the steering and throttle cables), you would still only pick up approx 18-24" of additional space in the stern. The space would still be small in terms of fishing area.
5. I can't imagine any way to make a cuddy look good on a classic Montauk.

posted 01-07-2015 02:17 AM ET (US)            

However without the console (Standard) model there is much more space to deal with so you can add a platform and a bimini shelter and still have the stern and the middle section of the boat where the console is located. Storage just slid under the platform out of the way. Add two swivel seats instead of a bench and you have a reasonable semi cuddy with space. When you don't want/need it the shelter just folds down like any other.

The 20 or 22 Outrage gives the best ability to customize with a console in this manner as its hull is heavier and stronger to distribute weight concerns. It offers higher side walls with a console and flat floor up front. The best I have seen is the 22 with a molded powder coated and gel-coat t-top with black canvas custom to fit the bow. Looks real sharp with the desert tan gel-coat glimmering in the sun with fishing rods up on the top with down-riggers spread off the back.

I know this is not the boat in the topic but thought I would mention how its ideal for an open boat offering front shelter options at the same time still having the space for other stuff. Of course the 22 Outrage with Cuddy is another model that thought of this for the all around fisherman that wanted an Outrage but a place to sleep.

posted 01-07-2015 05:46 AM ET (US)            

Here are 2 custom built pilot houses on Montauks.

posted 01-07-2015 01:43 PM ET (US)            

Thank you very much for the compliment.
It means a great deal coming from you.

Boston Whaler enthusiast owe you a debt of gratitude for creating and maintaining this outstanding website.

posted 07-17-2015 03:04 PM ET (US)            

I will be glad to answer any questions that you have regarding the construction of a pilot house on your Montauk
Call me anytime (805) 688-4892

posted 07-17-2015 03:23 PM ET (US)            

My apologies for not responding to your comments more quickly.
I just noticed your posting this morning.

You mentioned that:
"Can't believe you got away with building those in your yard though."

The trick is to stay on very good terms with all of your neighbors.

Don't fire-up the power tools until after 9am and stop making a racket after 8pm.

I also do handyman work (Carpentry, electrical, and plumbing) for all my neighbors.

The other ace up my sleeve is that I hand them all fresh fish (no-charge) when I return home after a great day of fishing.

Time for me to get back to my "Boston Whaler Boat Barn" and get some work done on my 1988 Guardian 18'.

All the best

Bill