Boat Customization - New Project?

[ondarvr]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

Check around and see what other people use to fish in the way you want to and guides typically have pretty good set up for fishing in a specific area. My CC is much more difficult to fish from than a boat designed for colder climates and the type of fishing done in northern lattitudes. CC's tend to be a warm weather type boat, the type of weather that even in a rain storm it can be 95*F (35*C) and cold is 70*F (21*C), not much protection from the weather in a CC. I have a CC only because I got a very good price on it (less than 1/3 retail) and for a short time did live in the south, I would never buy or make one living in the north.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

Most people that fish around here do have an open bow with a deck and use the deck (generally a Lund DC and some even a single console on the right). Have seen a few single consoles but they've still been to the side.

Where I am, and where I've fished and do fish... the lakes are pretty protected from any major winds and generally when it's cold (5C - 41F) it's generally relatively calm. 21C to us is sun tanning weather The boat is only ever really used in spring and summer. This was the first year I've ventured out in fall and any kind of cold... although yesterday was gorgeous and not cold (last couple times out have been chilly). Skidoo suits are a mans best friend on those cold days

I'm not sure if any of the boat shops are really open over the winter, although I'm sure they are... so I think I'm going to go look around at what they stock and just look at the different layouts. Hopefully I don't end up walking away buying a new boat :O

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

I'm tempted to convert my CC to a side console so it's easier to move around on the deck, sounds like work though, so it most likely won't happen. Stick a big cardboard box where you want the console to be and see if it's easy to get around, that's my issue and that it's mounted too far back.

Here's what I have now.

http://www.bluewaveboats.com/190_Classic.cfm

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

I'm tempted to convert my CC to a side console so it's easier to move around on the deck, sounds like work though, so it most likely won't happen. Stick a big cardboard box where you want the console to be and see if it's easy to get around, that's my issue and that it's mounted too far back.

Here's what I have now.

http://www.bluewaveboats.com/190_Classic.cfm

I like the cardboard box idea, thanks!

I'll prototype something out of cardboard first and see what kind of room I have available. I wasn't planning on having the console too far back but I'm also thinking of relocating the gas tank from the front to the back now as well, or maybe even under the main deck. Me and my buddy found it a little bow heavy the other day trolling into the waves. That will give me more room up front to move the console forward and still have a live well available. I think what I really need to do to kick start this project is pick up a sheet of plywood and at the very least cut the bow open and make the front deck. Then sit in it for a few hours, with a few beer and just think about it.

I appreciate everyone's input, ideas and advice on this. This is the kind of project I need after a rough couple years to get my brain going again and the creativity flowing. Keep any experience advice coming, everything is being taken into serious consideration!

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

Was another nice day today and probably the only one I'll get for a while where I can work on the boat outside. It's parked at my buddies place out of town about 45 minutes away but I made the drive anyways and figured I could at least get most of the rear deck removed and out of the way. Here's how it progressed:

First I removed the storage box and deck section...

Then came the battery box and deck section...

Finally the front panel, front deck section and framing...

At this point all of the seats were removed so I figured I would grab the fuel tank and see if it was a possibility to move it to the rear...

Sure opens that bow up...

By the time I had this complete my buddy was done working (he's lucky enough he gets to work from home) so he came outside to check out the progress. We also took the time to scheme.

What we came up with after seeing the rear removed is to keep the tank at the back, build a half platform with the same 3 removable pedestals as in my modified drawing. The center will be on a hatch for easy access to the gas tank, the battery and storage will switch places then what is in the drawing, and the two outside pedestals maybe contain storage below them.

Also, we discussed the center console and I'm convinced I won't do it. But I'm also not going to leave the dual. I'm going to do away with the passenger side and leave just a single console for the driver. The live well will be shifted to the more open area, the trolling motor batteries will end up in the bow and a ton of storage (tackle or otherwise) will be able to be had under the bow deck with the fuel tank move. The drivers seat is going to remain like it was and permanently mounted. The other 3 seats will be re-arrangeable.

I'm still going to start out by leaving it a dual with a walk through and take it from there but I do like the single console idea... less work and other then having to move the gauges, everything is already there. Whatcha' think?

 

[skeeter beeter]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

how did you do the tilt and trim mod. i've got a '75 85hp evinrude that needs t&t. i also have a '92 90hp (that i blew up) with the fast track t&t, and a '79 100hp (with bad compression) with the 3 wire type t&t. thanks.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

how did you do the tilt and trim mod. i've got a '75 85hp evinrude that needs t&t. i also have a '92 90hp (that i blew up) with the fast track t&t, and a '79 100hp (with bad compression) with the 3 wire type t&t. thanks.

If I remember right the midsection I used (with the T&T) was from an '85 Johnson. I had to use the steering tube from the '72 so that the mounts for the motor lined up. With the '85 the top two holes were off by about 1/8" (too far apart). The steering tube from the '72 midsection was smaller in diameter then the '85 midsection it was going in to so I got a length of solid nylon that was a little bigger then the inside of the new midsection (top and bottom) and machined my own bushings for the '72 steering tube. This left the center of the tube open in the midsection but provided support for the top and bottom sections. I also had to do some grinding at the top and bottom of the new midsection to reduce its length so it fit the motor itself.

Basically all I really had to do was machine bushings for the '72 tube, and do some grinding to make the midsection fit. Wished I would have taken pictures of the process but I had so much on the go at the time, the work was done in three different places and most of it was spurt of the moment "I have a few minutes now to do the work". It was also very much a "take my chances" project that could have set me back the cost of the T&T (~$300) if it didn't work out.

 

[skeeter beeter]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

thanks for the info. it sounds like a good winter project. i was told it could not be done also. great work!

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

Well, after breaking my jig saw I borrowed my dad's saws-all and went at it... here's the initial stages of this project after getting the boat back into the city. I started by removing the windshield and everything that was on the bow. Then I started cutting. It's not trimmed to where I want it yet but I wanted to be able to get more accurate measurements and a better look at what was under the bow before I went any further. I'm very happy with how it's looking.

Bow Cut

Need snow?

Tomorrow will be for cleaning out the boat and organizing my work area. Then it's time for buying wood and framing.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project

Re: Boat Customization - New Project

Didn't get any cleaning done today but I did take some measurements so I could think about this project some more and came up with this for the bow:

Just wanted it to be part of the thread to keep a record of how things may change as I start building.

 

[oops!]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

keep atter bud !

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Some Progress (and pictures)!

Some Progress (and pictures)!

I've been slowly picking away at this project when the weather has been decent, ran in to a couple plan changes, but it's coming along.

Structure for the front deck. The front compartment is going to be the livewell and the area towards the bow will be storage (was going to be trolling motor batteries)

Bow deck in place

With hatches

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

Where the seat will go

Hatches with hinges

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

Seat clearance

Next is the step with more storage, and the sides for the console. Also going to be shaving my rough cut of the bow down once the top cap supports are in place. Will probably get some 1/4" ply to finish it off up front but may just leave it open. Haven't decided yet and it all depends on the work I do.

Once it warms up here things will get glassed in.

 

[maxum247]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

Lookin sharp! I beleive your gonna have a nice boat when your done! max!

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

Thanks man.

It's definitely not a pretty boat by any means and the whole point of this project is to make it more functional for my needs. It's paid for and I will own it until it hits the junkyard! Was going to spend the time and make the hull look good but it's solid, doesn't leak, I catch fish with it and it's fun so I could care less if people look at it funny

My feet are feeling pretty warm again so I think I'm going to head back out to the garage.

 

[dwyork@hotmail.com]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

It's coming along great! I think you are quickly becoming a guiding light for all of us...after seeing all of your work I am anxious to go out and do something to my boat now. Once again, great work and keep us updated.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

More work done

More work done

Got some more work complete on the boat. Built a step up to the bow platform that will double as either more storage or a compartment for 2 trolling motor batteries depending on how the weight works out. Total height is 11 1/2" high so it's more comfortable to step up to the bow platform.

I also finished off the side of the console as well as the front piece that blocks the bow storage area from the captain area.

I screwed up the hatch on the step by getting impatient and using a jig saw instead of switching out the blade from my crapped out circular saw to the other one that does work, so I need to redo it. Oh well.

Also the last picture shows the deck in place on the step and you can see a shadow on the the stern side along the edge. That's from over-cutting the front of the step so that I have room to smooth it down flush and create a nice finish on it. There will also be a piece of ply going on the stern 2x4 support of the bow deck that I will over-cut so that I can finish that off nice as well.

Front console support:

Looking from the captain side. Not an overly great fit to the hull but shouldn't be a big deal, just wanted to block off the storage area from spilling in:

Bow deck storage area. May become a place for the trolling motor batteries if the weight distrubution doesn't work out right:

With the deck in place:

The plan for the next update is to make the new hatch for the step, get that support in to place on the far port side of the step hatch and then clean out the boat. So far I've been able to work around the junk that is in there but the stern area is next on my list and I'll need all the room I can get. This is going to mean cleaning up my garage as well because I just plain old have toooooo much stuff (anyone want a pool table?).

I really want to get working on the stern area because I have plans on making a fishing rod locker along the port side of the boat. I need to see how far out from the splashwell I'm going to be with the tank just in front of it, then I can decide if I need to cut out the front of the bow step to accommodate full length rods or if I can just use the area in the stern on the port side as part of that locker. I may need to do nothing at all.

I will say this, the measuring, drawings and planning has helped quite a bit for where things COULD go. I've found myself stopped and stumped more then once trying to decide the best building method of making sure everything is supported properly yet maximizing room. A few things have changed, like the placement of trolling motor batteries (will be at the stern for the time being), but thinking about the weight distribution and usability of the space I have while SEEING how it's coming together has always helped make the decisions I have made.

I'm definitely not looking for overall aesthetics with this change because while I'm fishing, I just want to be fishing and be able to have fun doing it. If I'm cruising around, I just want to make sure my guests have somewhere to sit (usually only one or two people anyways). This boat will get scrapped anyways if I can't sell it so I'm just trying to make it fit my needs and just want to make sure everyone on board will be safe while enjoying the water.

Should have another update later on tonight!

 

[dwyork@hotmail.com]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

I will be very interested to see you upcoming rod box addition. This is something that I want to add to my boat as well, but I just don't know where to start.

 

[Thunderhawk]

Re: Boat Customization - New Project?

Not a great pic but this was once a closed bow, cut out bow ( left the drivers console) added deck with storage. Very stable and strong no problems been 6 years, small deck no room for seat ( I usually stand anyways ) I stand up there with 2 foot rollers no problem. I will get more pics if you want.