89 maxum center console

maxum247

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Sep 18, 2007
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1,363
These are pictures of the progress of the center console conversion that I have been working on.The boat is at the point were I can try it out to see that things are placed as I would like them. Had some nice days this week, but work got number one priority.
This first picture is of the surround going on and the second is of the connection of the two glassed together. Next picture shows the rear seat cut for the controls to run thru. The console has a seat built in the front. The back is open for storage,battery or whatever the need. The controls were recycled from the bowrider version, so there not a perfect fit for the console.Took some tinkering to get them to fit and work properly. Right now the wiring for the console is run on top of the deck. I am doing this on purpose. When the console is were it needs to be then I probably will put them under the deck, but for now will cover them with a peice of plastic pipe split down the middle to protect them while trying things out. Gauges and switch panels were also from bowrider console. The side view of the console shows the seat and you can see that the shifter needs a little work on the wiring. Originally the shift sat at a different position than it does now, cables ran along the side of the boat, now they run up from the floor, so in order to get the shift range right I'm going to have to do a little testing to get it in the correct position again. Shifter has a detent that is designed as a saftey, so the boat can't start in gear. Once I've got it down I will cut in a new saftey detent.
The last picture is a general view of the boat as finished to this point,next will be to glass in the cut out for the cables thru the back seat. After that it will be on to building the bow cap and washboards. Not one hundred percent sure how I'm going to do those, have several ideas. Will post more on this as I get things done.

The little tri hull in the background is a 12 footer not sure who built it. It is fiberglass, probably from the 70's but not sure. It's about three and a half feet wide. Sold a friend a fiberglass 16 foot plywood skiff with an 8 hp briggs and stratton electric start outboard that I built using a regular lower unit with a blown power head. Used it three years before I sold it, made a great motor for trolling for rock fish. putt, putt, putt.
The boat had been backed up on by a truck while laying upside down in the yard. The bow was kind of layed open like two halfs of a sandwhich, about a foot or so back from the bow. Brought it home and in time repaired the bow and put in a new stern. Very stable for a little boat, Family used to load that little thing down, throw on the 24lb thrust trolling motor and head to the sand islands camping. Have had it for a number of years now, thought about selling it once, but while looking at it, thought that would make a great hydroplane. Cut the bow section back abut five foot split it more or less down the middle, move the two peices outward to use as the sponson's, a little boxing and patching and a lot of sweating I would have a great play toy.

Happy Thanksgiving!
 

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salty87

Commander
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
2,327
Re: 89 maxum center console

that's nuts and awesome, all at the same time.

how did you cut the topcap fiberglass so good?
 

maxum247

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Joined
Sep 18, 2007
Messages
1,363
Re: 89 maxum center console

I have to be honest it took a couple of tries. But I used a jigsaw with a coarse blade, it didn't really take all that long. After that suited up and went to town with the 4 inch grinder.
 

SFT2

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Nov 11, 2007
Messages
77
Re: 89 maxum center console

By any chance do you have any pictures of tearing out the old deck and putting in the new? I'm about to put a new deck in my 89 Maxum and would really like to see what I'm working with before I get started.
 

maxum247

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Joined
Sep 18, 2007
Messages
1,363
Re: 89 maxum center console

I have this drawing of the unitized construction used during that time.
My maxum was 20ft as a cuddy cabin, I can tell you that once you get back to the splashwell it's a bear if you have to tear any of the framing out. Take a look at the drawing. Gas tank is far enough back under the framing that you have to rip a good portion of the framing out to get the tank out if you need to. Right or wrong I chose to not replace that area of the floor for the time being. The stringers are about 2 foot apart mine were glassed and solid, the plywood cross bracing that you see in the drawing was gone. Not much trouble to put back. I can't remember if the hull had a lip along the edge for the floor to rest on or not, but you'll know once the floor is removed. I raised my floor 3 1/2 inches so that I would have more width across the boat to make use of. Made a big difference in room. Cuddy's are deeper sided so I had room to play with the height. Hope this will help! maxum
 

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drewmitch44

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 26, 2005
Messages
1,749
Re: 89 maxum center console

Is that a suzuki motor in the garage in the background of the first picture? I like what you are doing i think im going to be doing almost the same thing with me sea ray 180. I like the steps you are taking. Do you have a shareaproject page? Im just curious because like i said im going to be doing almost the same thing to a closed bow boat. Its not as big as yours but it is a great hull for choppy and rough water. I also think that I am going to be able to lighten it up a lot with the work im going to do on it. Its a closed bow now that i want to at least open up to a bowrider for more room. But im at the point where if im going to do it i might as well make it into a center console. Thanks for your pictures id like to see more if you have them. You can see what im going to have to work with if you click on my shareaproject link at the bottom of my post. My parrents are letting me use their garage this winter for my restoration so im excited to get started. I moved the boat over there the other day and now i cant wait to start stripping it down. Also where did you get your center console? I was thinking about making my own out of ply and glassing the whole thing. Everything im going to be doing, i want to keep weight down as much as possible. Thanks again for sharing and it looks great!
 

maxum247

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Joined
Sep 18, 2007
Messages
1,363
Re: 89 maxum center console

Morning!
No, just clutter from working on the yaucht. Looked at your project nice looking hull design. I don't have a project page, new to the computer world.
Seems you have the right attitude to go far take your time and work safely. As I stated in my last post work outside as much as possible fiber glass dust is nasty stuff. And never work without breathing protection.
Built the console from 1/2 inch marine plywood that was recycled from a realastate sign that was thrown away. If you decide to build your own console not hard to do. Be sure and have your boat level on the trailer, you may need to cut the bottom of the console a little on the bottom so the console will sit up straight but you'll know when you place it in the boat.
Did loose a fair amount of weight when I removed the cuddy cabin probably around 300 lbs in my case. If you go center console you will gain more room over going bow rider. Lost most of my project pictures awhile back, what I've posted is pretty much it for now, plan to post the washboards and bow cap in progress at some point in time.
Nice talking to ya!
 

maxum247

Lieutenant
Joined
Sep 18, 2007
Messages
1,363
Re: 89 maxum center console

I haven't given up on the center console project, just been busy and undecided how I want to continue. Right now I've been side tracted on a new project. I'm working on putting a riding lawn mower engine in my 12 foot try hull. As soon as I make more progress on the center console project, I'll post again.
 
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