Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Rebuilding the steering console on our 13.
Posted by CES on 02/10/09 - 3:44 PM
#1
Hello.
My original intent was to build a new console as I felt the one I had was in pretty bad shape. So I took the Whaler and the old console to my friend Danny's wood shop this past weekend and went to work. Well Danny loves wood and said that he thinks that adding to and refinishing the current console would be a better idea so that is what we did.
I discovered that under the old varnish and stain that there was indeed some beautiful wood hiding underneath it all. So I went to town sanding all of that old stuff off and Danny started getting creative with his wood working skills.
Here's the link to my project that is also located on the Project page on this site.
http://www.whalercentral.com/photogal...lbum_id=33
I'll update the album as we make progress. I am pretty glad we decided to keep the old console and work with it.
Posted by boydog40 on 02/10/09 - 5:03 PM
#2
you just cannot beat mahogany in a Whaler, beautiful wood
Posted by Binkie on 02/10/09 - 6:41 PM
#3
Nice job, Cliff, you`ll find that with the raised console, you will feel like your driving a different, bigger boat. No more crouching feeling.
Posted by CES on 02/10/09 - 8:20 PM
#4
Thanks. I am not sure what to do after I stain it. Should I use a Marine varnish or use a polyurethane that i brush on? What do you guys think?
Posted by Binkie on 02/11/09 - 4:59 AM
#5
I`vw always used Pettits Captains varnish. After 8-10 coats you will be able to see your reflection in the varnish. Don`t use polyurethane, as it is very problematic.
Posted by Binkie on 02/11/09 - 5:02 AM
#6
Forgot to mention, don`t stain the piece, the varnish will show the true color of mahogany. Whaler never stained their wood.
Posted by CES on 02/11/09 - 7:52 PM
#7
Hey Rich,
You don't think I should stain the console? The mahogany is two different shades......don't you think the will contrast?
Posted by MW on 02/12/09 - 1:16 AM
#8
I stain mine w/"Zar" marine stain (dark Mahagony), then I use "Zar" "polyurithane", 5-6 coats, It's what I'm used to working with, and I really love the result's. My boat get's used a lot for fishing, it is docked uncovered ('cept for the seat), it get's ton's of sun, so I'm only gonna be stripping it off, and re-doing it after a few seasons anyway. The wood is the only high maint. part of a "Whaler", it's also one of the things (beside's unsinkability) that REALLY set's it apart from just another boat (it's only a few pieces). I dry my brightwork in the bathroom overnight, no dust. It goes over about as well with mrs. MW as the full size pinball machine does in the living room.
Posted by Binkie on 02/12/09 - 4:04 AM
#9
I guess if your mixing old and new wood you might have to stain, but I would try a test area without stain on a piece that doesn`t show. If the colors don`t match, you can wipe it off with mineral spirits before it drys. If fact just wiping the pieces down with mineral spirits, will give you an idea of the color it will be after varnishing.
Posted by CES on 02/14/09 - 7:43 AM
#10
Yesterday 2/13/09, I finished staining the console and it looks wonderful. My bench seats and side rails are a dark colored Cherry wood and now that the Mahogany is stained, it matches the benches almost perfectly. The stained console pictures are on my project page. Today I am going to varnish the console....first coat anyway.
Posted by TexasOutrage on 02/14/09 - 2:54 PM
#11
I look forward to seeing this work of art at the Texas Memorial Day outing.
Posted by MW on 03/01/09 - 9:34 AM
#13
That Came out GREAT ! Love the "USN" (just right).
Posted by CES on 03/01/09 - 6:18 PM
#14
Thanks Matt. My son and I worked really hard on it over the past few weeks. The big test will be this coming Sunday when we take her out on the lake to conduct "Sea Trials" and see how the new console holds up. Oh, we plan to drown a few worms while we're at it. Lol.