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Can anyone tell me whether the mahogany used on the console of the original Whaler Sakonnets and Nausets was SOLID wood or veneer?

I am in the market for a console and see that the one sold by Specialty Marine is veneer and I really don't want that.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated !

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Most of the mahogany console on the Nauset is made of mahogany plywood (some 3/4" and some 1/2" thick). It looks very much like solid wood as there is not much end grain exposed. The exception would be the windshield frame which does have some exposed end grain. Solid mahogany is used for the corners and horizontal trim pieces as well as the dash panel where the steering wheel is mounted. Also the cleats and the forward bench seat (if present) are made of solid mahogany. The pilot seat is also solid mahogany except for the uprights which are laminate. To make the console from all solid mahogany would be very difficult and expensive. Some of the pieces are large and would require a very large piece of wood or a lot of glue joints.

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Bcross is correct….look at the schematics for the console and seat in the downloads section – they specify what wood was used and dimensions (you can build them if so inclined)

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Just for clarification, all the examples are of solid wood. if you mean one piece, then it would mean that the tree that the center console sides, front, and rear were made of would have to be wider than the side panels. When you hear about the loss of old growth forests here and abroad it means that there are no trees big enough to make planks any wider than 10-12 inches so if B.W didnt use plywood then they would of used planks glued together or laminated on its length which would also be solid wood but not one piece and lumber laminated or glued along its length has more chances of cupping or warping so the choice of plywood is much stronger and more stable. With that being said, the issue with plywood is that even if the end grains are not exposed you must do more to seal them so water doesnt intrude and delaminante the veneer or other longitudinal layers.

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Does anyone know the rough height and width of the side pieces for the seat. The downloaded plans for the seat did not have dimensions for this piece.

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The height of the pilot seat is 16.5 inches from the deck to the bottom of the seat slats. Not sure what dimension you want for the width as the side supports (risers) are irregular in shape. They are 14.5 inches wide at the base. I could probably trace the side support (actual size) and mail you a copy if needed.

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There is a guy http://arcshark3d.wix.com/ol-blue-66ol-blue-66 that sells drawings for this.
It might behoove you to spend the little money and get the CAD drawings for original and modified CC and seats he offers.
Make sure you get marine grade plywood (which means the glue they used) if going that route or start gluing solid planks together.
Good luck

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That's a great site, but the only pilot seat drawing I saw was for a Sakonet reversible pilot seat. I believe Labrat3 is looking for a Nauset pilot seat (non reversible).

I just re-read his post. Perhaps he is looking for a reversible seat. My mistake.

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May I suggest if you build your console that you raise it's stance by about three inches so as to fit a larger fuel tank under it ;)