Center console????

[jimyoung]

I have a 16 ft LoweLine....aluminum, riveted (no leaks) with a beam of approx 5 feet....30 hp pushing it. It has the 3 typical bench seats...i have been thinking of installing a center console...My questions...where is the right spot regarding the length ie bow to stern ratio........is the boat too narrow, how would it affect the handling..........any other thoughts. It currently has stick steering ,located all the forward.

 

[LORDY611]

Re: Center console????

see below

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Center console????

i would butt the console up to the back of the front seat, and use the middle seat to drive from. that leaves you the full front to fish and the full stern. also get the weight forward for fishing alone. getting on plane easier.

 

[LORDY611]

Re: Center console????

I just converted my 16 foot Lund aluminum to console, but because of how the seats are I had to do mine on the starboard side. I still sit on the rear seat because I felt it would be too far forward if I moved up one row. I have only taken it out with 5 adults in it so far, and needed one in the very front to get it to plane with a 40 hp motor. When that happened it ran fine.

 

[jimyoung]

Re: Center console????

Lordy, glad you sent a pic...I have been mulling about how to build the console.....yours looks good.....I had been thinking about putting just where Tashasdaddy said...I typically only fish with one other adult in the boat....and one child at the most....so it seems get up and go should be a problem....Thanks to both of you......

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Center console????

thought i would add this. this is the smallest premade console available. i used it in my 18' CC, got rid of that huge console. it's made by TODD, hopefully it will give you some ideas. also only rotary steering helm will fit in it. rack is too, long. i have it setting on about a 12 inch high box, with the trolling battery in the box.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Center console????

You typically end up with more room in the boat using a side console, and on a 16' thats very important, TD's console is a small one though. My 19's center console is always in the way and the boat is big and wide for a 19', walking around a CC on a boat with a 5' beam could get tricky.

Make one out of an old box or something and see if the layout works first.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Center console????

that's exactly why i redid mine. i had the big console 3 1/2 feet wide, 4 feet long. it had the seat/cooler on the front, and the leaning post behind the console. doing away with the leaning post, the large console, i now have room to move. i have at the console only 5feet 6inches between the sides. i now have almost 2 feet on each side of the console and picked huge deck space. the boat was crowded, with 2 people before, now 4 can fish comfortably.

 

[jimyoung]

Re: Center console????

Good pics...good idea about prototype to check layout.....more deck space is a goal too......thanks

 

[reka12]

Re: Center console????

Check out mine. I started with almost the same thing. My boat is 14Lx4wide. My son and I build the CC. It was easy. Here is a link to the project:

http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,79,00.html

 

[chuck_050382]

Re: Center console????

rEKA12: That boat looks really cool. You guys did a great job.

 

[reka12]

Re: Center console????

Thanks Chuck. It gets a lot of use. The kids have been on it almost daily this summer. It was fun to do and the best part is we had no prior fiberglassing experience at all but we learned everything from these forums. That is why I think Jim should look into fabricating what he wants as opposed to purchasing a prefab and trying to make it fit. Mike

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Center console????

reka, i wasn't telling him to buy one just giving him ideas, to ponder. i was going to build mine until i found this one. $190.