DukesFin
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2005
- Messages
- 500
Okay, I was curious about what was under my center console. I've got a 1991 CABO 204 Centercon.
The console is part of the "liner", meaning that unlike most other center consoles, mine is not bolted/screwed to the deck. It was actually part of the deck/liner mold. I knew there was "space" under it but there was a sheet of 1/2 inch ply glassed in as a "floor" for the storage space inside the console.
I cut a 6" hole in the center of the ply and saw that the whole space was filled with foam, but there was a LOT of moisture in there, so being a "guy" and doing what us guys do, I got out the circular saw and cut out a square about 3' wide by 1.5' long to give me more access.
Then, I started digging. I was looking at about 1.5 to 2' of foam. I got close to a foot deep into the foam, then horror... It was a swimming pool! Water soaked foam and standing water in the voids.
I've dug out all the foam under the console now and have made an appointment with a warehouse where I can pull the cap off of this heavy beast so I can rip out all the foam, make some modifications and in general, "clean the hull" up from the inside out.
I've got no idea what I'm going to find as I get deeper!!!
Good news is that where the water was pooled between the stringers and up to (or back to) the bulkhead the gas tank's front edge is against, the glass is intact, had good color and solid. I drilled a couple of test holes (after I drained the water) and got good dry/clean wood.
I'm not so sure what I'll find when I rip out all the foam, but I have a good feeling that I'll be posting a new thread with some restoration highlights as I gain more access to the inside of the hull!
Cross your fingers, say a prayer... Whatever it is you do when you wish someone well.... I'm in for some "fun" I fear!!!
I'll get some pictures tomorrow of what I've gotten into so far and more as I go!
The console is part of the "liner", meaning that unlike most other center consoles, mine is not bolted/screwed to the deck. It was actually part of the deck/liner mold. I knew there was "space" under it but there was a sheet of 1/2 inch ply glassed in as a "floor" for the storage space inside the console.
I cut a 6" hole in the center of the ply and saw that the whole space was filled with foam, but there was a LOT of moisture in there, so being a "guy" and doing what us guys do, I got out the circular saw and cut out a square about 3' wide by 1.5' long to give me more access.
Then, I started digging. I was looking at about 1.5 to 2' of foam. I got close to a foot deep into the foam, then horror... It was a swimming pool! Water soaked foam and standing water in the voids.
I've dug out all the foam under the console now and have made an appointment with a warehouse where I can pull the cap off of this heavy beast so I can rip out all the foam, make some modifications and in general, "clean the hull" up from the inside out.
I've got no idea what I'm going to find as I get deeper!!!
Good news is that where the water was pooled between the stringers and up to (or back to) the bulkhead the gas tank's front edge is against, the glass is intact, had good color and solid. I drilled a couple of test holes (after I drained the water) and got good dry/clean wood.
I'm not so sure what I'll find when I rip out all the foam, but I have a good feeling that I'll be posting a new thread with some restoration highlights as I gain more access to the inside of the hull!
Cross your fingers, say a prayer... Whatever it is you do when you wish someone well.... I'm in for some "fun" I fear!!!
I'll get some pictures tomorrow of what I've gotten into so far and more as I go!
