Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Raising RPS and console in 1989 Montauk 17: Pros & Cons?

Posted by Finnegan on 12/01/15 - 7:12 PM
#8

Regardless of your height, (unless you are 5-2 or something like that), as far as I am concerned, all classic Whalers have consoles and Pilot seats that are too low. This also applies to the current 150 and 170 Montauks. Raising both, in my opinion is absolutely mandatory to give the boats an adult feel, scale and comfort. I have been doing it since 1986, and the diffence in handling and ease of operation is huge. Just the other day I talked to an Outrage 18 owner who told me the best advice I ever gave him was to raise the console and RPS.

As can be seen in the personal Website photos, I raise all RPS seats 6". Any number of things can be done with the additional space. As for the fiberglass center consoles, the 1974-1982 models really need a 6" height, since the both the steering wheel and engine control are very low. The additional height also gives greatly improved wind shelter, and a lot of useable storage space underneath, to say nothing of the ease of working with wiring, cabling, etc under the console. The 1983-1991 consoles only need 4", although I also raise these 6" when needed (as in my Outrage 25), also for the wind protection and better scale in proportion to the boat's hull.

I highly recommend this improvement, and know you will not regret doing this improvement. I have used my professional design training to design solid teak "block and beam", original Whaler looking, riser sets for both the various consoles and RPS, and they can be seen in some of the photos. All of the original holes in the boat floor are used, with very few new ones needed. I have given the drawings to Walter Reynolds and you can now buy them from BlackDuck Galleries. I have no financial interest in the work at all. I know that some emnbers here have already taken advantage of this opportunity.