Posted by Colekitchel on 05/17/17 - 6:15 PM
#1
The mahogany under the console of my 1979 Montauk is completely rotted out and the console has become detached from the deck.
Has anyone replaced the mahogany with starboard or another type of composite that is more resistant to water?
Posted by Phil T on 05/17/17 - 6:42 PM
#2
Please clarify "under" the console.
Are you referring to the cleat or strip or the shelf?
[
removed sentence with incorrect wood species. The shelf is marine plywood.
Edited by Phil T on 05/18/17 - 4:40 AM
Posted by Colekitchel on 05/17/17 - 6:53 PM
#3
The wooden strips that are screwed into the deck that the console is attached to.
Posted by Finnegan on 05/17/17 - 9:55 PM
#4
I also have a 1979 Montauk, and you are correct, the console cleats are mahogany. BW had been using mahogany, lightly coated in Urethane, since day one for console, pilot seat and cooler cleats. these cleats were used for the "black vinyl flat face" consoles of 1977-1982.
The problem when they are used for a console is that they never get serviced and recoated in varnish by the owners, while at the same time often being in a wet environment. I have heard of many situations where they rotted and the console came loose. The Outrage III "lectern" consoles of the 1971-1972 Ribside 21 also had this problem.
If you are going to leave the console at floor height, my suggestion would be to make them, or have them made by BlackDuck, out of teak.
In my case, mine were still in good shape, so I re-varnished them with 6 coats, and installed them on top of the 6" teak riser set I am using. Up higher, mine always stay dry.
Posted by SeaLevel on 05/18/17 - 1:19 AM
#5
I used 3" x 3" x 1/4" molded fiberglass angle when I built the new console for my 1970 smirkless Whaler. Plenty strong, no rot. Available from McMaster Carr.
Posted by tedious on 05/18/17 - 2:34 AM
#6
I replaced the deck cleats on my 15 with Starboard. It is a perfect application for the material and it came out great. Any wood will eventually rot down in the muck.
Tim