Diesel in a center console

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I am a boat builder that builds custom fishing boats. I am looking for some new custom ideas. I saw something that sparked my interest and wondered how much of a hassle it would be. A center console fishing boat with an inboard diesel. I have seen it done both with diesel and with gas inboards but was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how feasible this is and what is the best way of going about it. If you have any ideas on this subject email me at tarponyachts@aol.com. Thanks

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I'm not a professional, just a part-time boatbuilder. But I don't think that this is that uncommon. I've seen several center consoles with a gas or diesel inboard. What do you foresee as being the major issues?
I think that designing the hull/running surface to maximize inboard vs. outboard power would be the major issue, but this isn't really any different for a center console. Is this a 25-35' boat? In that range, it shouldn't be too difficult to locate and size the console itself which might differentiate a center console from other layouts. The desired balance should be fairly consistent with where the center console would go anyway. Insulating and isolating vibration, and providing good access to the engine by hinging a large portion of the console are both very doable too, and fun design projects.

Just my two cents.

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Thanks for the advice. Sounds good to me. I know that it is fairly common and seems like a pretty doable thing. Thanks for your two cents!!

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If you saw the boat briefly discussed in Professional BoatBuilder about a year ago, it's a Reichel-Pugh design.
http://www.reichel-pugh.com/

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Stephen Ditmore
New York

[Steve Becker]

Look at Shamrock boats