Make your own center console advice needed

[leebo95]

My old boat has a home made center console that I need to either get rid of or replace. I was thinking of just rebuilding it out of wood and painting it but then started thinking of making it and then glassing it and painting. <br /> I would think 1/2 plywood would be good enough with a 2x2 frame.<br />any opinions or ideas? <br />Lee

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Make your own center console advice needed

i just built a dog house for my I/O. use 1/2" ply and aluminum angle to make the corners. works great, it's light. the angle you can get at home depot or lowes cames in 3' lengths.

 

[ed/il]

Re: Make your own center console advice needed

Building things with plywood and frames get heavy. I think Luan would be strong enough for the sides if you use a frame and glass. Might be strong enough with the stitch and glue method and no frame. Use thicker material for top and area where steering wheel will attach. I made a few Luan one sheet boats before. They were strong. If you need more info try stitch and glue on goggle

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Make your own center console advice needed

I used 1/2 inch ply for my console and it worked well. I painted it with several coats of polyurethane paint and it has been fine. I used the 1/2 inch originally because I actually wanted some weight forward because of the converison, but now that I have even more weight now, I have considered rebuilding it lighter. Of course, I am also thinking of doing another project, so we'll see....

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: Make your own center console advice needed

Tashasdaddy - when you built your doghouse, did you revinyl it? If so, what did you use and how did you do it?<br /><br />I'm going to rebuild mine as well. Taking the same approach with PT plywood, poly and metal angles from H.D., but I haven't yet figured out the vinyl part.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Make your own center console advice needed

boat grunt, i did my top and a separate unit. i put 1x2s on the deck, did my 3 sides using 1/2" ply screwing to together. lifted out and did the angles on the bench. put back in boat, ran a 1x4 across the back to tie it together. use 3/4 ply for top w/4" foam, i put 3 angle on the top to keep it in place. nothing is screwed down. the vinyl i bought on Ebay 54" wide. just wrapped the box like a christmas package and stapled inside, same for top.. if you want pictures, email me at tashasdaddy@comcast.net