Centre console conversion
Ok so here goes! I have recently become the proud owner of an aluminium 4.5 quintrex fishabout thanks to my generous best mate drew cheers! Anyways I am scrapping everything on the boat and starting fresh from the bare hull up.i will be removing the front seating steering Ect. I will also be cutting away some of the front sheet metal and the dash and then reinforce it all to allow for more room up front and a larger casting deck area. The reason for this post is I am after advice on a couple of things I have in mind firstly I would like some advice on console positioning after looking at hundreds of pics of smaller centre consoles and I have noticed that most smaller boats have the cosole a Long way forwards towards the bow.my main reason for my conversion is to get a more comfortable ride for me the skipper! What I would like to do is have my console further back using my existing back seat as a platform to mount my new seating on, so I'd like to have the console standing room forwards of the back seat and what concerns me is 1.. Is this to far back and will affect the boats handling to much overall?? 2.... Will there be to much weight at the stern of the boat I plan on having me 100kgs plus 2 x 25litre fuel tanks also a large deep cycle battery. 3... Can I relocate the fuel tanks to the front of the boat to redistribute some weight and free up some space down the back for storage without causing further problems.? Also I plan on building a new floor and casting deck up front I am wondering how high up I can raise the floor for more storage underneath without hurting the boats stability and safety? Thanks for taking the time to read any advice and opinions would be great! I plan on doing the entire refit myself including wiring painting welding the lot I am a tradesman and great with my hands oh and if anyone has any cheap boat parts to get rid of pm me I looking for steering and electrical stuff. Cheers guys and gals Adam
A1 quality plasterboard installed if needed shops offices housing u won't find better quality or value with my work! Ceiling master!
injected80
Posts: 90
Date Joined: 07/01/09
Centre console conversion
G,day flash as if your around the gossie area I've done this to my 445 , I went the console butting up to the front seat to help eliminate getting wet . As well as that the current motor has no tilt trim as if the console was closer to the transom I wouldn't be able to trim the nose down food for thought , however I have just ordered a merc efi 60 hp Bigfoot . Anyhow I can point you in the right direction regarding steering , throttle cables helm fittings if needed . Awesome conversion well worth it imo , seeing your a tradie I am interested in this topic as I am going to need a new floor in mine and may need some tips or even help for $$ to do it . If your keen your welcome to pop around mine to check out my tub no probs , send us a pm if your keen and well arrange something cheers deano.
chris raff
Posts: 3257
Date Joined: 09/02/10
Go for it mines , around the
Go for it mines , around the same size 14' ...console and battery is behind middle bench , tank is on the forward side under middle bench...I usually have my bro skipper and he's 120kg+ I'll sit ( 84kg ) against the front of console ..with the 25hp cranked up , she planes up nicely and rides alot better with the weight towards the rear .
“Intelligence is like a four-wheel drive. It only allows you to get stuck in more remote places.”
Tank
Posts: 358
Date Joined: 12/05/12
Interesting
For me good idea having consol nearer the back, with the front casting deck you will have storage underneath so this will put some weight up the front...I did a upgrade on one tinny....and put the battery inside the back seat under a hatch...made a frame up and put a Ali floor in with storage underneath....your weight options could be moving your fuel tanks to the front if need be....sitting your fishing buddy in front of the console when steaming...what motor do you have....is it a heavy one...plus you could move the esky around to adjust weight if required....put up a few more photos of current craft if time for idea sharing...fun times ahead doing a boat rebuild...o consider shade options in the build...a set up that will not have you fighting poles and fish at the same time...but is strong and won't need regular repairs...food for thought
flash as
Posts: 286
Date Joined: 07/04/09
Thanks for your ideas guys
Thanks for your ideas guys they are all great and yeah things I have been considering I have just purchased a late 90s 40hp johno for it all the modern features electric start trim tilt and forward controls, the hull plate says its rated to 55 hp so a newish 40 should be sweet! I hope lol shade is one thing I have been thinking about and I will probably go with a t top for it but will depend on funds! Once I get started on the build I will post up some more photos then I had a score on the weekend at a boat auction so I do have a few goodies for it. Can anyone recommend somewhere to get good proper marine ply??
A1 quality plasterboard installed if needed shops offices housing u won't find better quality or value with my work! Ceiling master!
keg
Posts: 398
Date Joined: 17/07/07
i had one of those
that was a factory centre console.the console actually bolted on to the front seat and the deck had a seat pole hole right in the middle of the boat.it also didn`t have the front
bow section filled in,it was open all the way to the front.you need to watch having to much weight to the rear as the transom cut out for the motor is very low to the water.even
with the console up front and me in the middle when drifting in a bit of swell water was very close to coming over the transom but other than that it was a top little boat.it had an
old 35hp evinrude which pushed it along ok but i put a new yammie 40hp 2stk on it and it flew.