console conversion project complete
Things were going fairly sweet, I had a nice new 5.7m ali boat and was getting out and amongst it reguarly. That all changed on 11/01/2011 when the floods hit Brisbane. We had invested in property and took a big hit when the insurance company decided no deal. Something had to give and unfortunately it started with the toys. I had to sell my boat but was determined to keep boating & fishing one way or another. That's how i ended up purchasing this boat -
1978 18ft Mustang 1800
90hp Evinrude FICHT (it's ok, the problems were mainly with their V6's)
It had what I was looking for, solid hull which had been garaged most it's life, nice deep bow, new trailer, low hours motor and suitable for chop & change
And so the project began. What I wanted to create was a centre rear console boat suited to fishing inshore reef systems, squidding and cruising the river. I wanted the console as far to the stern as possible creating maximum deck space and a smooth ride for the skipper.
Start stripping and out with the grinder and recip...
They love helping their uncle
I built a new under cover area off the end of my workshop and pushed her into her new home for the next 14 months.
Gunwale detail
Foward bulkhead, casting deck with floor hatches. The larger for relocating the fuel tank.
Forming new shape with expana foam
Shape it up & glass it in (middle of summer, had to work fast)
used 200 pair of latex gloves!
A big tin of filler and a crap load of prep work later, ready for paint
All painted, ready for carpet
From there I moved onto the fit off, electrical rewire, installing instruments, reconfigure the remote control, reticulate fuel & oil lines, setup hydraulic steering etc. I updated the stickers, added a bit of bling and it was time for a much anticipated water test. It needed the console stripping down again to get it through my garage and out to the street so once out it wasn't coming back in again.
On the water...
Once I trimmed the motor correctly she went like dream!
Very happy with the wet test, now save some more bikkies for the bar work.
The local top bloke ranger warned me for having it on the verge (quiet cul de sac)! so no choice but off to ABB for storage
Thanks to trevor @ Nautec Fabrication for building the targa we designed. Sets it off nicely.
I improvised with a pre made bimini canvas and made it work for now, also trimmed the skippers seat with foam from an old boat cushion I pulled from a bin and yoga matting.
Almost finished -
What it's all about...
It turned out a great boat for what I want. Really glad I did it although it was a little ambitious given my wife was 4 weeks away from having our first baby when I started it. It was a lot of work, you start one job and create 5 more and it absorbed much more time than I was prepared for. I made plenty of rookie errors long the way but thats how you learn. Would love to do it again one day.
Thanks for reading guys, see you out there!
Cheers
Jude
Gaffatron
Posts: 355
Date Joined: 07/07/11
far out great job!!
far out great job!!
Didley
Posts: 58
Date Joined: 09/02/12
Awesome job, well done!!
Ya must be stoked!!
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Great looking job there!
Great looking job there!
beau
Posts: 4104
Date Joined: 24/01/10
Dang thats bloody impressive!
Dang thats bloody impressive!
Matt T
Posts: 875
Date Joined: 19/11/07
Unbelievable!
That really turned out awesome. Brilliant work mate, would give you a great sense of accomplishment when your out there on the water!
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1322
Date Joined: 23/02/11
Mate - awesome job, a lot of
Mate - awesome job, a lot of work there!
- not saying it needs it but the blue gel coat would come up looking like new with a good compound
Just out of interest -what is the foam you used at the front (expander foam) what brand?
cheers
Clint
Jayden20
Posts: 672
Date Joined: 29/08/11
great job mate well done...
great job mate well done... I'm hoping to start the same project on a 20 footer in a couple off weeks all depending on what the bank man says haha.... ill be looking to this for ideas.... and the use of expanda foam was brilliant
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
top post
Ripper post that one, hope you get plenty of rewards out of her.
Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance
AlwaysFishin
Posts: 644
Date Joined: 13/11/11
Hey Jude I take it you're
Hey Jude I take it you're the building supervisor that I worked with on the BMW Wangara showroom with? I'm Jarrod and was doing the ceilings there. Top rebuild mate looks the goods.
JohnF
Posts: 2836
Date Joined: 07/07/10
Great post and top job! A lot
Great post and top job! A lot of satisfaction from doing something yourself.
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
Top Rebuild
Top rebuild mate, very nice work . It looks great on the water , a very fishy looking boat .
fisho-ron
Posts: 2539
Date Joined: 26/09/09
top job mate, sweet as!!
top job mate, sweet as!!
tombstone
Posts: 169
Date Joined: 14/10/10
awesome job, great when its
awesome job, great when its finished, satisfaction plus. thats how i felt. great job again.
to fish or not to fish...as if there was an option.
fishnguru
Posts: 64
Date Joined: 19/02/10
Be Proud !!!
Well done on the awesome conversion mate ... Top looking rig now !!! . See ya out there some time ...
If everyone concentrated on the best things in life .... There would definately be a shortage of Fishing Rods !!!
chris raff
Posts: 3257
Date Joined: 09/02/10
Trade finish ...well done
Trade finish ...well done Jude , big job to take on and you nailed it ...
“Intelligence is like a four-wheel drive. It only allows you to get stuck in more remote places.”
sea-kem
Posts: 14992
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Hey Joodles , good meeting
Hey Joodles , good meeting you the other day. That is a top job you've done there and is inspiring me to pull my finger out and get started on mine. Nice work mate!
Love the West!
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
that is a brilliant rebuild
you should feel as proud as punch for the job you have done congradulations
keg
Posts: 398
Date Joined: 17/07/07
awesome
you have to be happy with the way that turned out.top job.
r.gates
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 15/11/10
Friggen Awesome...
Jude, that's an inspirational makeover...huge effort...great work, you must be pleased with the result.
Sorry to hear about the insurance company giving you the run around...that sucks.
Looking forward to your reports now that you're back on the water.
regards
rusty...
If life is boring, you must be doing it wrong!
bod
Posts: 2319
Date Joined: 03/05/06
great story
cheers Joodles for sharing. That's a great outcome for a big effort.
makai
Posts: 459
Date Joined: 28/10/08
Thanks for taking the time...
...to share the story. Inspiring rebuild.
big john
Posts: 8751
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Done well
You've bloody done well there Joodles, great job.
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
Jigs available online in my web store!
Joodles
Posts: 362
Date Joined: 19/11/10
Guys, thanks very much for
Guys, thanks very much for your positive comments. I'm so stoked to be able to get back on the water but also to see those comments from you blokes!
Clint, I tried to give the gel a cut n polish but it was somewhat unsuccessful. I must research it more and have another crack as the faded blue does let the appearance down a bit.
The foam I used was the Fulla brand. Its the fire rated stuff that's why it's pink, not required its just wht I had access to. The foam works well as it can be cut with a sharp knife and then shaped up to suit. I used a rasp similar to a board shaper then glass it in and a skim coat of body filler to get the final smoothness.
Hey Jarrod, was wondering if you were still around then I saw you towing your boat on Wanny Rd a few weekend back. Good to see you still into your fishing, how's that HDS going, got it loaded with juicy spots yet? PM me mate, we should catch up for a fish.
Cheers again guys, I do feel a sense of achievement when out on the boat. It's a great feeling!
AlwaysFishin
Posts: 644
Date Joined: 13/11/11
Hey Jude just shot you a
Hey Jude just shot you a message but not sure if it went through as an email or pm. I just found your phone number from the BMW job in my phone, you still got the same number?
Reefmonkey
Posts: 711
Date Joined: 22/09/08
Fantastic!
looks awesome, love the rear console style too. Just finished my half cabin last week after two years as well, if ever i do it again Ive always wanted to go rear console conversion. Top job to be proud of! makes it all worth it when its back on the water to be enjoyed with the family.
Dave J.
Lamby
Posts: 3145
Date Joined: 04/08/09
Wow, simply awesome project
Wow, simply awesome project
Cruise Control
Posts: 973
Date Joined: 03/11/10
Thats just a fantastic job, I
Thats just a fantastic job, I like the foam idea.
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1322
Date Joined: 23/02/11
Hey Joodles might need a
Hey Joodles
might need a wetsand first - really fine wetndry and probably something that i wouldnt bother doing (until winter at least!!)
love that foam idea -has given me some inspiration to get back on to some of the glass projects i have dropped!
enjoy
cheers
Clint
Joodles
Posts: 362
Date Joined: 19/11/10
Cheers for that.ive used the
Cheers for that.
ive used the foam before when boggin up a WB 1tonner that had rusty sill panels. Works a treat!
Jackalchub
Posts: 599
Date Joined: 10/03/12
Awesome job Joodles, you will
Awesome job Joodles, you will be smashing the dhu Boners
Jackalchub
Posts: 599
Date Joined: 10/03/12
Awesome post also, havent
Awesome post also, havent seen one this detailed in a while, I can recall filleting some large dhus in that back yard of yours though. Top marks
Joodles
Posts: 362
Date Joined: 19/11/10
Hey Jimmy, long time between
Hey Jimmy, long time between fillets here mate but looking forward to throwing some rubbers their way very soon!
Jackalchub
Posts: 599
Date Joined: 10/03/12
Keep the posts coming mate,
Keep the posts coming mate, that rig will take you anywhere