Installing a centre console

[therapy]

I had a 5.2 mtr Seajay, 50 hp tiller a while back. Great boat and lots of room. I imagine that at the moment you have 2 thwart seats in yours. If you take these out, have you considered the effect on the buoyancy? That is alot of foam that wont be there there anymore. If you don't take them out, then it would be a cramped, messy configuration. A swing away side console sounds like the go. You could keep the thwart seats as they are, steer from the rear and still have the benefit of an open tinny. Get a gal pipe fitted in the thwart seat and set up a comfy seat for yourself and while your at it, get a couple of other seat positions fitted as well. (front seat either side, one in the middle)

Cheers......Terry......

[Bilopete]

Thanks everyone for your input, its much appreciated!At the moment I struggle going out in the boat on my own while using tiller steer. Its a big boat and hard to look over the bow, even worse when in some chop and I'm not fast enough to be on the plane.I've spent the last 6 months looking every option. I have budget of $2K and according the 2nd hand market I'm unlikely to get more than $4.5K. For about $2K I can get a centre console, forward steering and electric start filled to the motor. Show me where I can get a 4.3m open tinnie with electric start and CC for $6500 and I would gladly trade-up!I am emploring a aluminium console to compare with Bias Boating's console. I would be keen to here from anyone that installed a plastic console from Bias Boating / Whitworths etc.

[Mudlicker]

Thanks everyone for your input, its much appreciated!At the moment I struggle going out in the boat on my own while using tiller steer. Its a big boat and hard to look over the bow, even worse when in some chop and I'm not fast enough to be on the plane.I've spent the last 6 months looking every option. I have budget of $2K and according the 2nd hand market I'm unlikely to get more than $4.5K. For about $2K I can get a centre console, forward steering and electric start filled to the motor. Show me where I can get a 4.3m open tinnie with electric start and CC for $6500 and I would gladly trade-up!I am emploring a aluminium console to compare with Bias Boating's console. I would be keen to here from anyone that installed a plastic console from Bias Boating / Whitworths etc.

Have a look at Ganat swing away consoles , made by Gary Luxford in Ingham , looks like a great product comes with steering , cables etc . I have just done this exact thing in my 435 TABS , mounted a custom made side console . Was lucky enough to be able to make all of it my self , and have a good mate who is an auto sparky to help with all of the wiring. went down the road of buying a new outboard that comes steering equipped rather than modifying the old tiller steer , but I wanted all the yamaha guages etc. Pm me and I will send some pics if you like .