CONTINUOUSWAVE

I have a 1985 Montauk bare hull that I am preparing for paint. I also have a totally new interior, and a new power package. I am considering using an all-mahogany Nauset console and pilot seat [instead of] the traditional post-1976 Montauk molded center console and RPS.

Are there any obvious problems with this approach?

Has anyone seen or had any experience using this older style console and seating arrangement on the this second generation 17-foot hull?

ASIDE: Mike--where and from whom are you obtaining the console? Regards, Don

I don't recall seeing a newer MONTAUK hull be refit with the old NAUSET-style wooden console, and, of course, I have not done that myself. But if there were a problem, I think it would have to be something subtle. I recommend you contact Chuck Bennett, Customer Support Specialist, First-class, at Boston Whaler, and seek comments from him. He's familiar with both eras of boats and consoles, and he might have some insight to share.

Don - there is a custom wood worker in Mass to has all the dimensions for classic Whaler wood trim and components and specialized in replacements. Does really nice work.

They made the Sakonnet with the wooden interior on the Smirked hulls into 1977. You should have no problem.

mikebravo555 wrote:I have a 1985 Montauk bare hull that I am preparing for paint. I also have a totally new interior, and a new power package. I am considering using an all-mahogany Nauset console and pilot seat [instead of] the traditional post-1976 Montauk molded center console and RPS.

Are there any obvious problems with this approach?

Has anyone seen or had any experience using this older style console and seating arrangement on the this second generation 17-foot hull?

What do you mean you have "a totally new interior", (because there is no such thing)? The Montauk consoles and pilot seats are icons, and "make" the boat. If you have some new 21st century fiberglass/plastic furniture that boat will just be a Custom 17' Whaler, and you will lose a lot of the classic appeal of a genuine Montauk.

On the other hand the mahogany console & pilot seat are reasonably legitimate for your hull, albeit not your year, and would be infinitely more cool. While for your boat I would prefer to use genuine Montauk parts, if I had them, I would absolutely use reproduction mahogany furniture if I didn't.

To actually answer a question you had, the Smirked 17' hulls have a flat deck compared to the Smirkless hulls, (that are actually 16' hulls, but that is another Whalerism we can debate for a few more decades). I would be shocked to find out BW adjusted their construction of the mahogany consoles for the newer hull design, but that would be the only thing you would need to check out.