steering console replacement

[freebird0700]

Hi everyone new to iboats and boating it's self. Just bought our 1st boat. 1991 Glasstream 192 GXL. I am trying to replace the steering console. Have called every place on the east coast of FL looking for a replacement. BUTTTT.
I have been looking at the one's offered on line but the say Pontoon. I have been told that I would be better off building one but I am no more a builder then a boater (lol). But I can and will learn. Can someone help, with a blueprint or building plan. WhatI am hopping for is the steering console and under it some place to mount our VHF, am/fm, GPS/fish finder. Thank youall for taking the time to read.
photo's

 

[oops!]

Re: steering console replacement

hi frede bird....welcome to i boats.......

i got a link for ya ....and a couple of suggestions.....give me a minit to find the link.....

as far as the pics....go to photobucket.com.....you can up load them for free....once uploaded, resize to 680x 420 ish somthing or other.
once resized, just copy the img tag and paste it in your post...it will come out as a picture.......

ok ....ill go find the link now

cheers
oops

 

[oops!]

Re: steering console replacement

ok....center console replacement......im guessing its a center console

3 options....

1. repair/restore the one you have.

2. buy an new one.

3. build your own.


actually before i type all this out.......is it a center console

like this

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=230922

if not...let me know.....btw...im going to fab one

 

[freebird0700]

Re: steering console replacement

no it is not a center console. See that's the prob I'm having replacing it. I would like to build my own. but I don't know where to start after taking measurements. After that I am lost. I know I would like for it to be out of wood so I can give it a real nice old fashion look with stain and shine.

 

[TriadSteeler]

Re: steering console replacement

Check out GreatLakesSkipper on Ebay. They always have several consoles on ebay that are brand new over-orders from other boat applications. In many cases they come with the gauges and switches included. You may be able to retrofit one of those.

I pondered getting one of those, but just made a vertical extension from my existing console to house tach, speedo, depth finder, and fuel gauge. Fairing that into the existing structure was challenging enough.

I couldn't imagine fabricating an entire console without using vacuum bagging to create the fiberglass layers. All of the outside corners that make up a console would be most difficult.

 

[freebird0700]

Re: steering console replacement

Thanks. Does anyone have any ideal on any plan'es blueprints. anything at all I could get an ideal of size(w x h x d the angel of the front steering plate)?
Anything.

 

[i386]

Re: steering console replacement

Go look at some boats for ideas and bring your tape measure? Just an idea.

 

[oops!]

Re: steering console replacement

no blueprints that im aware of....at all.....

im doing the same thing on my craft......

doing it out of wood is entirely possible....it is a long process.and iffen yer good at whittlin"

personally i suk at it....soooooooo

im going to make mine out of foam.....including a wrap around to the shifter console....really racy and sleek.

a big block of foam is easy to work with and can be added to evry easily if you mess up....

after you have the shape, you can glass with thin csm, and build it up as nessary...kinda like paper machae....after its cured...you can spray with gell coat 80/20 mix with acetone. then after cure, dig out the foam......

thats your console....then just glass that into place...and install using farring compound. then gell the farring compound...

out side of that.....if you want a flat panel....just take a thin sheet of wood and cut your design into it.....make sure the steering area is really built up

stain as desired and install.......btw....you will need a really good uv resistant varnish on the dash......shop around....im afarid you might need somthing that says "marine" on it

 

[freebird0700]

Re: steering console replacement

Maybe I'll just buy one and make it fit. thanks all

 

[freebird0700]

Re: steering console replacement

could I use a Pontoon Boat Captain Stand??????????????????

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: steering console replacement

ok....center console replacement......im guessing its a center console

3 options....

1. repair/restore the one you have.

2. buy an new one.

3. build your own.


actually before i type all this out.......is it a center console

like this

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=230922

if not...let me know.....btw...im going to fab one

Thats not a center console. For a boat to be referred to as a center console it would have to have a console in the center. That console in that link you posted, is on the side. A Center console is just that a "center console". The console would be in the center. I dont think that is what this guy has. His pics appear to be of a side console oops. But i think that you should be able to find a console for this boat somewhat easily. You got to be careful of measurements though. And also if you got a windshield that connects on top of the console that makes it much more specific. In that case your best bet would most likely be to build it yourself. Good luck and Keep the pics coming as you go. We Like Pics!!! LOL

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: steering console replacement

could I use a Pontoon Boat Captain Stand??????????????????

Thats up to you really. If you can make it fit then go for it. I like oopps's idea of the foam though. I have made parts like that out of foam and glassing around it. It is easier than you think it is. I just really suck at getting wood parts to fit right in my boat. Ill tell you what ill make you a console if you fit the stringers in my boat. LOL Oh yea and i dont have the old ones so you aint got a template. LOL