Yet another boat conversion

[nkell]

Several years ago I decided to upgrade from a small tinny to a larger boat. Things I had to take into consideration were:
1. Had to be larger than the tinny
2. Had to have berths and porta potti ( so the financial advisor could come)
3. She had to like it.
Well, did all that and found a Caribbean Baron. She liked it and...... guess what...... 4 years later and 1 mercruiser rebuild she has never come aboard. So now I have weighed up all my options and decided that I would not get my money back if traded in plus with having to put in the extra cash, it would be cheaper to turn it into something that I can utilise. So out came the angle grinder and hey presto. Half Cab to Centre Console in 1 easy step. Well maybe not 1 closer to 100.

It is going to be a slow job, having to save and buy, save and buy and so on. You all know how it goes. Anyway enough rambling for now, I will add pictures as I go along. Constructive advice and ideas are always welcome.

In the beginning it looked like this.
[img]

[nkell]

After the angle grinder attacked it.
[img]

[nkell]

For some reason the original photo disappeared.

In the beginning it looked like this.
[img]

[death_adder]

good luck buddy im starting the same sort of project on my old savage tasman half cab soon, so post pics of how you go. Mot sure if im gonna go center console or just cut the cabin back 50 cm so i still have a little shelter but more fishin room.

[nkell]

To compensate for weight loss due to the cab being cut off, I have moved the fuel tank from the back half to the front as you can see in this photo. the original spot was under the floor just in front of the engine cover making this stern heavy before due to the weight of the Mercruiser.

[img]

This is the stage that the project is at now. Here you see the V berth sections have been cut out to accomodate the console, new foredeck with access cutout and fuel tank fitted. New Floor section was made from 25mm Ply, the cutout in the floor is for all cableing and controls . Under the existing V berth sections that are still in place I have 25mm Ply attached to reinforce the original 6mm fibreglass. Foredeck is also 25mm Ply.
[img]

Centre Console in place but not fixed. Have to say a big thankyou to Clayton of Clayton Marine in Adelaide for making this on such short notice. Product is exellent and advice given when asked is more than appreciated. As you can see the console fits snuggly in the new floor section. And by leaving whats left of the V berths intact, I have some under floor storage space.
[/img]
[img]

Well thats it for a couple of weeks, have to save some money now to buy glass, resin etc plus going to Cairns for a holiday and wet a line.

happy fishing [/img][/img]

[nkell]

Most of the timber work is finished now. Just the finishing touches left.
looking aft Starboard
[img]

Looking aft port
[/img]

Foredeck showing where the inspection holes are for the fuel tanl and fuel vent.
[img]

[/img]

Still have to do the Transom, but that is later
_________________
Work was invented to spoil weekends

[firecat150hp]

Moving along very nicely.
Your timber work looks great and the big CC works in well.

Good luck and hope progress flows along 'kink free'.

Regards Steve.

[nkell]

Thanks Steve;

Yea coming along slowly, just doing a bit every night after work. Timber work was the easy part. Now its all the sanding and filler work being done so when I put the glass on I get a nice flat finish. The CC is a good size with plenty of internal room available. Cant wait to get the bottom wet again.
_________________
Work was invented to spoil weekends

[firecat150hp]

[nkell]

Looking forward all timber and glass work done. Has first coat of primer ready for sanding to get rid of the lumps and bumps.


Looking aft.

_________________
Work was invented to spoil weekends