---

I would appreciate comments on the practicality and cost of converting a 1996 standard/side console to a center console. jim johnson, cvttejim@yahoo.com

---

Basically only 2 things you need.

1. Center console (preferably like the 1986-1989 version)
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=58

2. A seat (preferably an RPS)
http://www.whalercentral.com/photogal...lbum_id=12
The above link has a different base than the original style Z legs but I think you get the idea.
Here is an original style with the Z legs.
http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...?user_id=4

And one last important thing.
You need to have a rigging tunnel in your model. I am not sure what your 17 standard has.

---

A friend of mine has a 1998 17' standard. The rigging tunnel is there, It has a cover over it at each end.

---

[quote]cvttejim wrote:
I would appreciate comments on the practicality and cost of converting a 1996 standard/side console to a center console. jim johnson, c

You should consider NOT converting your 17' Montauk to a center consule...but rather to a super side consule. I rerigged as such. So, I ended up with one (port) side which is a huge, very wide walk around path rather than two dinky ones. I brought my new side consule from the starboard gunnel to a foot or so beyond the midline to cover the rigging hole. I raised the free space beneath the consule sufficiently to move both the battery and a 6.6 gallon plastic fuel tank under the consule to put all this dead space to some good use. The result is a surprising amount of clutter free space aft and stern, and a real clean boat.

I find that in rigging and using a small boat, that every sq. in. really counts, and you can waste it, proportionally really fast in a small boat by casually putting a battery box, fueltank, rocket launcher, antenna, etc. in any old here or there place. I think that the boat manufacturers just do not understand this.