Movable Centre Console/Cab

[Colin Stone]

Fellow Mariners,
I would like to show you my patented Movable centre console. Attached are photos of the console fully forward and fully back.You are able to move the console underway at the push of a button. It stops at any position. The boat is 5.5metres in lenght and the console and helmsman would probably weigh 150 Kg.This is alot of weight to move around in a boat this size , just think of the benifits.Ill let you ponder on all the other benifits.
Feed back on your thoughts would be appreciated. I have been testing it for 3 years without fault on the east coast of Australia.
Safe Boating Regards Colin .

[kapnD]

Colin, Wouldnt you achieve the same thing with trim tabs and/or trimming the outboard? I would assume that the purpose is to trim the boat. If that doesnt do it, I would think it more feasible to move water ballast low in the boat, which would lower the center of gravity and lighten up the console. It could be pumped out for trailering. Almost the entire interior of the boat is taken up with the moveable console, and i would guess that there is considerable gear involved to facilitate the movement.

[Colin Stone]

kapnD,Trim tabs add drag by trying to lift the stern to try and get the bow down,takes horse power. Trimming your motor in and out to achieve trim only works when you have the horse power on,because you are trying to lift or bury the transom .What happens at lower speeds in bad weather when trim is needed,I dont think to pump extra water in ,thus adding weight and requiring more horse power.The 150kg quoted is with the console,one person,saftey gear,dry storage, electronics fishing gear etc.How much water do you want to add how many tanks will there be how many pumps,how much does this cost and weigh.The gear to move the console would weigh 25kg max.When fishing I move the console forward and this gives ample room to fish and you have the seat to sit on.Moving the console allows timming your boat at very low speeds and not adding exta weight ie water ballast and allows you to plane at much lower speeds.Think of this situation,you have a large following sea the wind has come up its not very nice.No worries Ill move the console back enough to give me a bit more bow every thing is good,motor is at its most effiecent position and doing what it is designed for ,pushing the boat foward,not trying to bury the transom in this situation.You are able to travel at what speed the weather dictates,not what speed your trim tab or motor angle need to work. Also the gear involve is very simple. Trailering you are able to balance it by moving the console depending on fuel loads.Await your reply Col.

[Quicksilver]

I like it, for the reasons you've mentioned and it looks good in both positions.

[Colin Stone]

Thanks Quicksilver ,Col

[kapnD]

Colin, I applaud your ingenuity and dont doubt that it works as intended. I am looking at it in the eye of the mainstream boatbuyer who purchases a craft of the type/size shown. He is usually stretched pretty thin to buy it in the first place, and will not be inclined to spend more on gadgets that are not commonly found on such boats. Most guys will just take along a fat friend and have him sit where his weight will do the most good!
I get some pretty unusual ideas myself, such as the rotating turret flybridge that turns the skipper to the most comfortable angle in relation to wind, seas, and cockpit action.

[Colin Stone]

Kapnd, With the rising levels of obesity we will probably have many fat friends to take fishing.I havnt as yet taken the step to start building and selling on a large scale for the exact reason you have stated.To build a few very nice fully optioned specilised fishing boats a year would be nice and maybe one day who knows. Good luck with the rotating turret sounds great hope it catches on . Col

[SamSam]

I like the idea. Is that a separate aftermarket unit that you can flop into any boat with the space? Easily installable? Does it clutter up the deck with tracks, wires, hoses etc? Where is it patented? Sam

[Colin Stone]

SamSam It could be possible, but difficult not knowing what is under the floor to fit after market.There are no tracks wires or hoses etc to clutter up the floor.Patented in Australia.Colin

[Willallison]

If you can afford it Colin, I'd patent it in the US quick smart. I know little about patent laws, but do know that your Aussie ain't worth jack outside of Oz.
Great idea by the way. Too much complexity for my liking from a trimming point of view, but fabulous from the point of view of creating space where/when you need it....

[Colin Stone]

Will, yes patents are expensive in the US. Not at all complex Very simple and it really trims your boat to perfection at any speed.Colin

[Willallison]

Sorry Colin - you misunderstand me - I have no doubt that it would trim the boat, just that I wouldn't bother with a movable console just for that purpose. I'd have some concerns about the safety aspect of moving it whilst travelling quickly in rough water too.

[Colin Stone]

Will, it locks in, you would break up before the console would move unintentionally.Where I use it is South Coast NSW to give you some idea of the sea conditions.Colin

[Willallison]

yeah, yeah, I get that. What I meant was that I wouldn't like to try intentionally moving whilst on the go. I'd use the tabs / trim.

[Colin Stone]

Will, I move it alot whilst underway saves stopping.Colin