Convert doghouse engine cover to sundeck and build new wrap-around bench seat layout

[utskicat]

So I am the proud new owner of a 1975 Fiberform 19' Monterey I/O closed-bow skiboat. She is in excellent condition for her age. She was given to us by a very close family friend for Christmas! 10 years ago, she was gutted and rebuilt with new stringers, foam and deck. A new Ford 351 Windsor replaced the old engine. They used the West Epoxy system when they did the rebuild on her. The carpet was replaced and the vinyl on the doghouse and cabin sidewalls was redone.

I want to make a few modifications to update her a bit more. My plans include adding a teak swim platform with hinged area for outdrive when trimmed up. Add a tower. And lastly, I want to update the seating layout. She currently has the classic 70/80's layout of a doghouse engine cover, with 2 seats on either side, and 2 back-to-back style laydown seats forward.

My plan is to replace the doghouse with a sundeck like more modern boats that runs across the full width of the transom. Then place 2 pedestal bucket chairs up front. On the front side of the new sundeck, I want to install a bench that wraps around to just behind the 2 new swivel chairs.

Since the boat is 19' and the helm is so far forward with the closed bow, I think I will have plenty of room for this plan. I actually think it will open the boat up and be far more functional. I read a posting on iboats from an upholstery guy who said this layout is a wonderful idea on 18' boats and larger and yields a much more modern look and better space usage.

Interestingly enough in the my research, I discovered that Fiberform used the same hull to make both the "Monterey" and their "Santa Catalina". The only difference was the seat layout. The Santa Catalina was actually made with the rear sundeck and wrap around bench seat. I have attached original factory pics below of both boats.

I have spent the last few days scouring the interwebs for project stories about similar seating layout changes. I have found a number of posts saying people wanted to do it, but not much in the way of general how to stories for the DIYer or before/after pics. That leads me to a few questions for you guys!

1) Does anyone have before/after pics of doghouse to sundeck conversion in an old boat like this?

2) Does anyone have after pics of adding a tower to an old 70's or 80's stern drive I/O boat like this?

2) Any suggestions tips on how to design the frame for the new sundeck and benches, best yet economical way to waterproof the new wood frame?

3) Creative way to incorporate a built in cooler that isn't cheesy/cheap looking, but also doesn't cost a fortune?

4) Best way to attach the new structure to the deck without creating a new hole for water to start rotting deck/stringers. I want to keep the last reno good for as many years as possible.

Below you will find pics of my boat as it is now. Also are pics of a Santa Catalina for sale in California that has the seat layout I am aiming for, and a link to a blog of a guy who has a few pics of his doghouse/sundeck conversion on a slightly newer boat.

For other Fiberform owners, you can find the whole catalog for 1977 scanned and posted here: http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/powerboats/fiberform-motor-cruiser-range-1977-catalogue-51011.html

Reply away folks!!

Blog post with a only before/after pics I've seen. Its a bow rider, so its more cramped than mine will be and its a much newer boat to begin with.
See here: (note before pic at bottom of blog page) https://toddosborne.wordpress.com/2009/03/

iBoats thread on the topic. Note Fireman431's comments several places.
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...cs/470354-rear-seats-to-rear-bench-conversion


My boat, 1975 Fiberform 19' Monterey (actually 19' 4"):

Fiberform marketing poster of by boat in 1975 (this was original paint job on my boat, its top and gunwales were painted white in early 90's:

Fiberform catalog page on my boat (1977 model shown...no rear ladder):

Boat in California I want to model seat layout that is using same hull/boat as mine: Fiberform 19' Santa Catalina

1977 Catalina catalog page:

 

[Chad Flaugher]

No Title

Hope you can see these pictures okay... This is the layout of my older (1974) Cobalt 18' bow rider. Really open floor plan allows for easy movement even with several adults on board. I rebuilt all the seats and the doghouse using treated plywood and treated lumber, and painted everything with an outdoor paint for good measure, and new marine grade vinyl. Everything is very close to stock. I don;t see this layout often, and I seriously don't know why. WE LOVE IT! The gals always end up sunning on the motor cover and storage covers. Works great for fishing too. PFD's and tubes fit nicely on either side of engine (Ford 302), ski's and tackle boxes under rear seats, and anchor and dock lines under bow seats.

 

[fieromx3]

hey i had that exact boat! i had a mercruiser 140hp in her with an MC-1 outdrive. was a decent boat, absolutely wicked on gas as it barely used any. its unfortunate fiberform made a grave mistake when building them. they glassed the entire deck and everything beautifully, absolutely no holes, cracks or seams BUT they glassed the deck and THEN they drilled like 1.5'' holes all over it to fill it in with the foam flotation and just popped the caps back in the holes without sealing them up properly. had they glassed the deck after filling foam i could have seen those stringers and floor lasting forever!

i have some pictures of mine if your interested in me posting them. mine wasnt the best looking condition but she worked for me for a season. i dont have many anymore as most pictures were on my other computer and got lost when the computer crashed

 

[utskicat]

hey i had that exact boat! i had a mercruiser 140hp in her with an MC-1 outdrive. was a decent boat, absolutely wicked on gas as it barely used any. its unfortunate fiberform made a grave mistake when building them. they glassed the entire deck and everything beautifully, absolutely no holes, cracks or seams BUT they glassed the deck and THEN they drilled like 1.5'' holes all over it to fill it in with the foam flotation and just popped the caps back in the holes without sealing them up properly. had they glassed the deck after filling foam i could have seen those stringers and floor lasting forever!

i have some pictures of mine if your interested in me posting them. mine wasnt the best looking condition but she worked for me for a season. i dont have many anymore as most pictures were on my other computer and got lost when the computer crashed

Fieromx3...yeah...post what you have. That's good to hear on the gas. Mine will drink a bit more most likely as the engine has been replaced with a Ford Windsor 351W. Should be about 265 hp from what I hear. I'm so glad all the stringers and deck have been replaced already.

 

[utskicat]

Hope you can see these pictures okay... This is the layout of my older (1974) Cobalt 18' bow rider. Really open floor plan allows for easy movement even with several adults on board. I rebuilt all the seats and the doghouse using treated plywood and treated lumber, and painted everything with an outdoor paint for good measure, and new marine grade vinyl. Everything is very close to stock. I don;t see this layout often, and I seriously don't know why. WE LOVE IT! The gals always end up sunning on the motor cover and storage covers. Works great for fishing too. PFD's and tubes fit nicely on either side of engine (Ford 302), ski's and tackle boxes under rear seats, and anchor and dock lines under bow seats.

Chad...THANKS SO MUCH for posting these! This is exactly what I am looking for. A few questions:

1) I see you left out the passenger swivel seat...do you find that you miss it?
2) Do you find that the wrap around seat negatively inhibts standing by the side of the boat? I might do a little bit of fishing, but not much, I guess I could just kneel on the seat bench.
3) Do you have a swim platform on the transom on your boat?
4) When you did the cushions on your boat, how did you make them? I've heard 2 ways, a) sandwich plywood, foam, vinyl and wrap the vinyl to the back of the plywood and staple. B) sow fully vinyl "cushions" and velcro to the plywood seat (at least for the sundeck).
5) Is anything hinged, or does it all just lift off. If hinged, what hinges did you use?
6) How did you attach the sundeck and bench frame to the boat? (just screwed into floor?)
7) Is that wooden helm dash original or did you redo it? What did you use for the wood if so?

Thanks man, sorry for the million questions...awesome pics!!

 

[Grandad]

You're a man after my own heart. Maybe you?ll find these pictures will kick-start some ideas. I?ve done pretty much all that you?ve suggested. For more details, go to the link in my signature below. ? Grandad

 

[Chad Flaugher]

Chad...THANKS SO MUCH for posting these! This is exactly what I am looking for. A few questions:

1) I see you left out the passenger swivel seat...do you find that you miss it?
2) Do you find that the wrap around seat negatively inhibts standing by the side of the boat? I might do a little bit of fishing, but not much, I guess I could just kneel on the seat bench.
3) Do you have a swim platform on the transom on your boat?
4) When you did the cushions on your boat, how did you make them? I've heard 2 ways, a) sandwich plywood, foam, vinyl and wrap the vinyl to the back of the plywood and staple. B) sow fully vinyl "cushions" and velcro to the plywood seat (at least for the sundeck).
5) Is anything hinged, or does it all just lift off. If hinged, what hinges did you use?
6) How did you attach the sundeck and bench frame to the boat? (just screwed into floor?)
7) Is that wooden helm dash original or did you redo it? What did you use for the wood if so?

Thanks man, sorry for the million questions...awesome pics!!

1) Actually, this is a long standing floor plan for Cobalt boats. It's an original layout! I have been given the all clear by a Ranger with 10 people on board! (Although we rarely exceed 8) I feel as though the swivel seat would cost me room for passengers.
2)Yes, you can easily replace standing with kneeling.
3) I do not, but I plan on building/buying one. Not sure what the dimensions are on your transom, but on mine it can be mounted above the outdrive, close to the waterline without hindering the upward swing.
4) What I did... Used treated 1/2" plywood. Painted both sides of the plywood. Glued high density foam (mostly 2") to the plywood. Cut holes in the plywood to allow the air an escape route in choppy water. Wrapped the foam with vinyl and stapled to the back side of the plywood. On the cushions with high exposure to water, I wrapped the foam with plastic, then vinyl. (That is experimental, but seems to be just fine)
5) The bow seats are hinged with full length piano hinges. The rest are not hinged, but I used blocks of plywood to lock the seats in place against the ski locker walls. You can certainly goo either way I suppose.
6) This might be hard to explain, but it's pretty simple. The sundeck is just the doghouse, and two rectangle panles that rest on carpeted cleats (treated 2x2") on all four sides that are screwed into the fiberglass/doghouse with exterior grade screws. The middle bench seat back is the front of the doghouse cover. The doghouse is also on a piano hinge screwed to the back of the boat. The middle bench seat cushion is just like the rest of the cushions, plywood with blocks. The storage area under the middle cushion, screws sideways into the side ski lockers. (The fuel tank sits under that seat) Very few screws go into the deck on my boat.
7) The wooded "look" is actually a stock item. The diamond plate work on either side is actually my fabrication work, as it used to be on both sides. It's actually a laminate (sticker) on top of aluminum. I personally didn't care for it. When I upgrade my ga

 

[Chad Flaugher]

You're a man after my own heart. Maybe you’ll find these pictures will kick-start some ideas. I’ve done pretty much all that you’ve suggested. For more details, go to the link in my signature below. – Grandad

That is a super cool Idea with the porta john! Question... Is that camper custom?