Modifying front windscreen area for standing room

[Smelly]

Hi Team!

Here is my next journey..

Aim - to stand up and steer/control boat

Method - to modify current front area

Some thoughts/recommendations would be appreciated..

I am thinking of cutting off and use existing fiberglass seat boxes for new front console/bulkhead - somehow..

See pics..

[Smelly]

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[Smelly]

I am willing to cut up exisiting console as well.

I don't need the fuel, speed guages as I have the GPS/sounder to utilise that for..

Smelly

[Chimo]

Hi Smelly

When you have used the boat for the range of uses that you want a boat for would be a better time to start cutting up and rebuilding what you have.

Prepare to spend quite a bit to do it well so that the boat has some $ value afterwards.

Standing back and looking at what you have; which is similar to what I started with, so I'm kind of talking from experience in my own case over a number of years (you dont get to be a GOM overnite!); you could find you make a number of changes that still do not get you what you want. And what you do end up with has a much reduced value on the second hand market.

I guess what I'm not so subtley suggesting is that you hold off for a while, use it and if it is not suited to your needs sell it and move into a boat that is closer to what you needs are.

You would have to be smarter, richer more luckey than most of the rest of us if you ever end up with the perfect boat.

Its all about compromise, sort of like the resigned benevolence that is the relationship with your M In L rather than ..................

Looking forward to see where this thread ends up............. it could need a whole new section, Smellys Journey perhaps?

Cheers

Chimo

[Smelly]

Thanks Chimo.

What did u end up doing then to your boat?

Do u stand up comfortably when u steer?

Pros and cons of sitting whilst steering..?

PS - I think u have a crush on my Mo In Law..

Smelly

[gone_fishing]

g'day smelly
i think your playing with fire there smelly
i 100 agree with chimo
a high risk off spending a lot off dollars to achive almost and decreasing value off your boat
better to look for more user specfic boat
good luckwith any decission it will be a interesting project

although cutting the seats out will obtian a greater area as those seats do take a great deal of room
could fit removable pedestal seats ithink would be smik

happy new year gf

[garpe]

Hi Smelly
Wouldn't it be easier to get a higher bimini top with zip up clears and if anything you might have to move your seat box to stand and steer or is it more room you wish to gain.

[Smelly]

Tahnks boys.

I want to be able to stand whilst steering and at the same time have weather protection.

More room is also desired and cutting htose seat boxes out would not worry me..

Maybe I can utilise the fibergalss from the seat boxes for soemthing else too.

Smelly.

[Chimo]

G'Day Smelly

Re each of you points


Q What did u end up doing then to your boat?
A I had a ski boat which is essentialy what yours is, when I was a lot younger and skiied more than a I fished. It was also better for pulling members of the opposite gender, both behind and into the boat!
What I did change was added a bimini canopy and clears but nothing structural. That boat was a number of boats ago and they have tended to be more fishing orientated over time.

Q Do u stand up comfortably when u steer?
A In the ski type boat one stood very occasionally but particularly to let the water past that came over the screen in the large waves and rough seas that eventually made it clear that I might just be asking a little too much from a ski boat.
In the later boats, yes in uncomfortable chop etc we probably all stand up to reduce the compression of the back vertibrae and the subsequent ruptur of the discs. In some it works in some it does not.

Q Pros and cons of sitting whilst steering..?
A Better visibilty, easier on the back, less comfortable for long periods etc


Q PS - I think u have a crush on my Mo In Law..
A I learned years ago that you can learn a lot from an older person of the opposite gender. Nuff said on that.

So where to now on Smelly's Journey? (aside from getting the motor tuned / timed when you get onto the right tech so its ready to use / sell)

Cheers

Chimo

[Smelly]

NO way I'm selling...

THis boat is OK in chop isn't it?

That big deep-V should be good for fishing - should it not?

If I put another higher canopy/clears on and stand up, won't I be too high above the gunnel - hence nothing to hang onto / safety stuff and all that ?

Smelly?


PS - My cat is about to give kittens - gotta go!

[Chimo]

Hey Smelly

What you have could be fine for years if you want it to be.

You could always get a pop hole sewn into what you have so you can stand up thru the roof / pop hole that you can zip up when you want a roof.


Thats the cool thing about boats; you can choose to never stop spending, the choice we make is to spend big, little or not at all till we then spend big and do it all over again. Its still cheaper than a divorce!

Chimo