Cutting out the console

Discussion in 'Projects & Proposals' started by tbarn917, Feb 6, 2013.

  1. tbarn917
    Joined: Feb 2013
    Posts: 2
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Gainesville, Fl

    tbarn917 New Member

    Hey guys,
    This is my first post. My future father-in-law just gave me an older 14ft procraft with a 70hp Force on it :D . I have taken it out a few time before he gave it to me and being more of a saltwater fisherman I was thinking giving it a slight face lift and making a center console for it. I hadn't seen it in a while and I assumed the console was removable but it turns out is molded with the top half of the boat.

    Anyway has anyone ever cut out a fixed console (I figured I could use an angle grinder, sawsall, and/or jigsaw)? I know that it would leave an opening in the sidewall but I was thinking of building a box to slide in rods for storage. I'm pretty skilled in carpentry and I have some glassing experience from repairing surfboards. Let me know what y'all think!

    Also, I was trying to find pics of my boat online and I am coming up empty. On the sidewall above the procraft logo it had another brand name that I think was maiden craft 1460 but I can't remember exactly what it was (the boat is out at his house) but I know it started with an "m". I tried to find a correlation between the two names but I didn't find anything so if anyone could help me with that too that would be great. Like I said I grew up in saltwater so I'm new to these boats.

    Thanks for your help, here are a few pics I took while I was out there this weekend!

    Tyler

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  2. michigangeorge
    Joined: Dec 2003
    Posts: 34
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    Location: Petoskey,Michigan

    michigangeorge Junior Member

    Hacking up a fiberglass production boat will do nothing for its value and that boat is really too small for a center console anyway. Use and enjoy it as is and save yourself a lot of work and $$.
     
  3. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 19,126
    Likes: 498, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 3967
    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    That's a flats style of boat and really doesn't have the freeboard for saltwater use, unless very close to shore in calm conditions. She could be overwhelmed by a freighter's wake easily.

    The center console idea is doable, though in a boat of that length, of a bit dubious in usefulness. There's a fair bit of work associated with cutting out the side helm, moving all the controls, wiring and steering under the sole and to the new console.
     

  4. tbarn917
    Joined: Feb 2013
    Posts: 2
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Gainesville, Fl

    tbarn917 New Member

    Sorry I should have clarified, I am not intending to take this bad boy out offshore. I will mostly be fishing the flats out of Cedar Key. We have taken it out of Horseshoe Beach to go scalloping and it was fine. I grew up fishing in the Indian River in Brevard County which is technically brackish but I usually just say saltwater because of the fish that live there.

    Ya I am not really looking for anything in terms of resale value. I am finishing up grad school and I'll fish this for as long as I can. After I look at it more I'll probably decide whether or not the work I'll have to do to make it a center console will be worth it.
     
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