Centre console conversion
Submitted by Joodles on Mon, 2011-07-25 12:31
Looks like I'm buying myself a little project. Earlier model Mustang fibreglass hull with windscreen and foredeck that needs chopping and changing to a centre console. Very solid & reliable hull on a good new Dunbier and a near new ETec so it should be worth the effort. Just wondering if anyone has experience doing a similar conversion and can pass on any tips. Also where is the go for buying the console and Ttop etc. I will post some pictures as it progresses.
Thanks guys.
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
After getting quote some
After getting quote some really very funny, and stupidly expensive options from the local outlets, my bro ended up borrowing a mould to make one up for his 16'.
What size boat is it?
squidder
Posts: 457
Date Joined: 03/09/10
Be careful
as some of the 70's through to early 80's hulls were known to split at the keel and near on sunk. Might pay to have a little inspection below deck.
Good luck.
Joodles
Posts: 362
Date Joined: 19/11/10
18 ft. Are you refering to
18 ft. Are you refering to Mustangs squidder or just the older hulls in general?
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Hmm this console might be a
Hmm this console might be a bit small for a 18' boat.
davey
Posts: 272
Date Joined: 17/05/07
conversions
i have done two conversions now and learned a few hard lessons along the way,
firstly when you cut away the foredeck try to leave plenty of structure, you can always cut more off later but its hard to put it back.
given that you will be removing strength you will need to put it back, i did this by making a new gunnell around the front from long lengths of timber pulled around the shape and glassing in, using thinner timber and laminating the layers is quite easy to do
having a console made will cost heaps,(I was quoted between 5 and 12 hundred) either borrow a mould or make one from plywood and glass it both sides, i did mine from 6 mm ply with glass both sides and flowcoat on the outside to finish.
if your going to start cutting at your boat its worth the extra effort to redo the floor, it gives you a good chance to check the stringers and also beef it up under the deck
cheers
squidder
Posts: 457
Date Joined: 03/09/10
Yes I am
referring to old Mustangs Joodles. Having done some extensive repairs on fibreglass boats I personally would give the hull [any hull] a good going over before attempting to do mods.
Get on your back underneath the hull and have a good look for fractures and try and find the stringers, once found usually by tapping the hull follow them along to see/feel if they have come adrift from the hull.
Get inside the boat and have a look at the floor and look for fractures and do the same.
Check along where the top deck meets the hull, fender line, make sure that hasn't come apart.
There's more but that should do.
Good luck.
Dan
Posts: 168
Date Joined: 23/02/06
modern boating
www.modernboating.com.au has some great articles on converting some old Haines Hunters into great CC's
- do a search on V16R and has a few.
otherwise PM me - I'm pretty sure I have them all in .pdf files somewhere