Posted by NWWhaler on 12/10/15 - 7:56 PM
#14
Finnegan wrote:
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.
Finnegan (or Larry, am I right?), I was really hoping you would chime in to this thread, because I'll confess that it was only after having read prior posts of yours on this matter, and having seen the photos of your Montauk, AND having already identified Black Duck Gallery as the source for the blocks, did I decide that this is a mod I am interested in. I'd love to benefit from your experience in having already done this a few times, so thanks for showing up!
Finnegan wrote:
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.
Since mine is a 1989 Montauk, it sounds like you're recommending a 4" lift. That sounds pretty reasonable, and I'm certain whatever amount I raise by will need to be gotten used to. I'll be having new electronics and the cables/wiring for a new eTec 90 run concurrently, so I'll be sure to allow for sufficient cable run.
Finnegan wrote:
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.
Larry, if you don't mind, I'd love to be able to throw a question to you hear and there off-line as I proceed. If that is amenable to you, would you send me an email (my email address is listed in my profile). I promise not to abuse the privilege! :-) And if you prefer not to, I'll understand.
On an unrelated note: I have also been researching a
compass, and had decided on the Navigator stainless binnacle mount from Ritchie. I just received it yesterday, and A. it's beautiful but, B. It is HUGE! I don't have the boat with me currently, so I cannot set it up on the console to test it, but I do believe you have the Navigator pictured on your Montauk (which I believe you no longer own, is that right?). What are your impressions of this compass on this boat? The alternative I am considering is the Explorer, but I sure do like the look of the stainless binnacle on the Navigator (the Explorer is available only in black, but the proportions are a bit smaller).
Along with the Compass (likely to be mounted on or near the centerline of the steering) I will be mounting a 7" Garmin 74SV unit as well as a Standard Horizon GX2200 VHR radio (not sure where these will be placed yet, but up top makes sense, though I see plenty of people have mounted their radio's flush to the font).
Thanks very much for the input. It is hugely appreciated!
Doug.