CONTINUOUSWAVE

I am considering raising the center console on my new-to-me 1986 Center Console 15. It might be helpful to know how much was cut down in the fiberglass center console from the Montauk.

I don't think the console in the CENTER CONSOLE 15 is the same as in the MONTAUK 17.

I got my info from the reference section of this site.

Maybe someone can confirm.

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/15/models.html

jimh wrote:I don't think the console in the CENTER CONSOLE 15 is the same as in the MONTAUK 17.

Not exactly the same.

My 1983 15' center console whaler had a nearly identical console to the 17's console of that era. I would say for all intents and purposes, it was the same except that it was cut down to make for a lower profile.

My 15 was almost the same as the 15 pictured in the above link.

Don't know if it helps in what you are looking for, but I have several pictures under the 'BW 15' folders at this link.

The design of the center console used by Boston Whaler in various models of MONTAUK and OUTRAGE boats was not constant. The console changed over the years. There are at least two and perhaps three iterations. The most recognizable element that changed was the slope of the front panel area and the raised island for installing top- mount engine remote controls.

The cut-down console in the 15-footer might resemble one of those variants, but it does not look like the final evolution of the small center console design seen in c.1988 boats and newer.

Jimh & porthole, Thank you for your replies. I tend to obsessively think things through before I do them. Raising my console will take me months of thinking and research. I'm not very handy with tools and such so I try to make up for it by being slow and careful.

I want to raise the console so I can move the battery to the console and have a place for 2 - 3 ammo boxes that I have full of tools, flairs, fuses, etc. etc. and life preservers. I also would like to stand-up, at least some of the time, while operating the boat.

I am thinking of using the 6 inch version of Black Duck Gallery risers (design attributed to Larry Goltz). http://www.blackduckgallery.com/RISERS.html It seems likely that I will need to shorten the risers slightly because of the cut-down console. I was also thinking about using a router to cut a ledge in the inside edge of the riser to support a plywood floor. The plywood would have holes cut to allow the battery and ammo boxes to rest on the deck but not allow them to slide around. I would need a new door in the front of the console to access the boxes.

My original question was a round about way to ask if the 6 inch riser would high enough.

Doug

OP boat is a 1986

From this page http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/017754.html

This picture



And from my 1983 15



There are enough pictures on that page from various year whalers (up to 1987 that I looked at) and all have similar consoles. ANd most are nearly the same as my 15 console, only taller.

I prefer the risers designed by Jerry K. (Spouter). See

viewtopic.php?t=520

Doug, picturing in my mind the 15's console on top of those blocks - well - personally I would not do it.

Does your console look like mine ?

I hinged the console, 2 stainless hinges in the front, two 4 or 5" stainless 1/4-20 bolts and two of the threaded inserts you hammer in. The bolts go in from the sides at the lower rear of the console. The threaded insert is in the mahogany cleats that center the console.

I had my battery inside a battery box inside the console. Also had the small Plano plastic ammo box in there for stuff. 2 life jackets as well.

The console is short. If you look at my pictures you can get an idea of what I did to make it more comfortable.
I raised the seat bottom about 1.5". I made the seat back about 4" taller and angled it nearer to vertical.

This made it much more comfortable to drive. I also added a custom aluminum grab bar to the front of the console, mostly for my wife to steady herself.

Last change I didn't finish before selling the boat was having a new wind screen made to match the grab bar height.

I made a door out of starboard for the side access.
Everything but the battery was accessible through the door. The battery access required rolling the console forward.

I am not sure how knowing how much was cut off the original molded console part to fit it into the 15-footer is absolutely necessary knowledge to have before attempting to raise the console. Why not just raise the console as you see fit to suite yourself? The method of wood riser blocks has proven to be functional, durable, and generally attractive. I don't know that there is a great alternative method to be found.

Duane, Doing nothing or almost nothing is often a excellent option and is still on the table. I do like your hinged console. Thanks for the description of how you did it.

JimH, I like that riser better too. My woodworking skills are about on par with my mechanical skills so I don't think that I could build it.


Thanks,

Doug