Center Console Boat Seat

I am sure there are lots of boaters that have this happen all the time with their boats - even when they are covered, as long as they are left outside for an extended period of time, uncovered or not, the white fiberglass develops a layer of dirt/grime and also spots of black mold where moisture collects. Having been a very rainy humid summer here, my boat sat out in a dirt storage yard (uncovered, I know DUH stupid) - for about 2 months - it is an open center console fishing boat about 20' long, plain white fiberglass interiror, center console, seat in front and behind the console. Typical layout. But the ENTIRE surface of the interior is just covered with a nasty dirty layer of black grime, dirt and mold now. Its a friggin' mess. I know I can just start with the hose and scrub brush an inch at a time, but is there ANY way to safely spray some prep cleaner solution on the entire interior and let it soak in and start disolving some of this mold/grime. I know I can maybe use some kind of cleanser, hot water, and bleach in the water - but with the gelcoat still being new on this boat, and the soft vinyl covered white seat cushions, I hesitate to use too strong of a cleanser or too much bleach since its so easy to damage the surfaces permanently. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Its a balancing act between getting this grime off, and not damaging sensitive surfaces like gelcoat and vinyl upholstry. This is surely one of the most common cleaning challenges everyone with a boat has from time to time - any help is greatly appreciated !!!

I have usually stuck with the bleach, esp when mold is involved. Some mildew sprays like x-14 have bleach in them and are very strong. Clorox clean-up with bleach (the green one, not the blue one) works wonders and I have never had an issue with it on old or new gelcoat. Spray it on, leave it for about 30 sec to a min then use a clean wet rag to get all the gunk off, then hose off. Work in sections, it wont take that long. save the brush for the really bad areas, then go back over with the rag

rinse the whole thing out good first, then you might start with a mild cleaner like 409, spray nine, or fantastic orange, that will clean most of it, save the stronger ones like full strength simple green or the bleach for the tough areas and the mold.

I have had no issue with the vinyl and the bleach spray as long as you don't let it sit more that 30 sec to a min, and since yours are white, you should be good.

2009-09-18 05:56:23 by BP

check it out:amzn.to # High center consoles with windshields

I'm installing a Stereo in my boat and i want to run my speaker wires from my center console on the floor to my seat cooler that i sit on..I am using the seat cooler as an Enclosure...Is there something I can use to cover the wires up ?

Thanks

Conduit or channel. It is not a good plan to have wiring on top of a deck, a false deck can be fitted in that area between the console and the seat with gently angled edges to eliminate tripping hazards. Your wires can be run under this in conduit to eliminate abrasion and any water contact - if you make the false floor sealed or allow water under it is up to you - but if you choose the latter it must be easily removed for cleaning.

2010-07-28 10:56:52 by M Hurricanes

Price: $379.99 $373.95

I have a 1997 17 Foot Carolina Skiff that is a flat bottom boat with low sides and just a center console no seats or anything. I was wondering what the top speed would be with the 1997 30hp Yamaha Outboard when about 350 pounds of people are on the boat. Cause I am contemplating buying a 60 horse power yamaha 2 stroke for it instead of the 30hp

speed really depends on the prop. one prop might have you redlining with ease, but not going very fast. another may have you falling way short of the redline, but still not going all that fast. while the right prop has you going just under the redline and as fast as is possible for that hull and motor combo.

i have a 16' alum hull that sounds similiar to your description......
with the old 35 hp 2 stroke, it didnt have a speedo. but it could get just fast enough to get on plane when running light, about 20-25 mph.
it would spray me pretty good at that speed as i went through chop. new outboard i am seeing that at around 20 mph, i get sprayed. need to go faster or slower.
faster is more fun ;)

i just repowered it, new 4 stroke 60 hp merc (best brand there is). currently running the smallest prop, only 11" pitch. motor redlines without even reaching full throttle. have a speedo now, 30 mph when running light, 25 with another 300+ lbs worth of passengers and gear.
in searching for what i want in a new prop, i found one place that specified that the prop i currently am running is good for an absolute max of 31 mph.
there are much higher pitched props avaible for that motor, i should be able to hit 40 mph at least with the right prop.


if you have the 30, and it runs fine, keep on using it until that changes.

if you dont or it isnt, and any part of you really wants the extra power and higher speeds it will give you, you need to go ahead and get it now. a new outboard from any of the good brands, like yammie, will last at least 20 years if properly maintained. while you might be able to trade it in, you will lose money on it. get what you really want now and be done with it.



if you do decide on more power, a few things i learned when shopping for mine.
1. the 50 and 60 hp mercs use teh same 4 cylinder motor. 10 hp difference, one is 247 lbs and the other is 248 lbs.
2. 2 months ago, merc was overstocked on 60s. they were cheaper then 50s, almost as cheap as the 40.
3. the 50 is the smallest 4 cylinder. more cylinders means less time between power cycles, for a smoother (less vibration) running engine.
4. online prices beat the prices at any shop with little sales knowledge and high prices. but online prices are way higher then prices at a busy shop that sales lots of outboards and knows the product.
if you are a cali resident, i'd make the drive, even if its a few hours, to boat masters in livermore. lovely shop, knowledgable staff, selling outboards left and right at great prices (has been a vessel with a just installed merc on it every time i've been there)


and i knew this years ago, but its worth mentioning. winter time is offseason in the boating industry, off season means less business which means more deals to attract business. great time to do the big dollar boat shopping.


BTW new 4 stroke engines, all the technology behind them, they keep up with 2 strokes much better then back when they were new.
some areas are restircting use of 2 strokes to newer and cleaner ones, or not at all. as time goes by, not at all will be more and more common.
and 2 strokes you need to buy and use 2 stroke oil.

2010-11-29 16:34:57 by Jimmy Pop

Price: $182.99 $165.95

Keeps your seat cool and clean
Breathable, Poly/Cotton fabric resists mildew and water damage
Convenient hook and loop sleeve for VHF antennas

The 1994 Sea Pro is an 18ft 190DC (Dual Console) and has a 140hp Tohatsu engine with about 90 hours. The Sea Pro boat comes with a bimini top, depth finder, fishing gear, and is in emaculate condition. The man selling it is the second owner and wants $8900, 35% above NADA, but the boat is in great shape. The 2001 Carolina Skiff is a Center Console 21ft Sea Chaser 210 with a 115hp Johnson with unknown hours. It comes with a bimini top, fish finder, GPS, and two way radio but has very minor damage along the edges from bumping into the dock. The man selling it is the first owner and wants $12,000 but will negotiate. This will be my first boat and I like the Dual Console and the condition of the Sea Pro, but the Carolina Skiff is newer and has a more popular engine which might make it easier to service. The Sea Pro has individual seats which I like better than the Bench seats on the Carolina Skiff. Although the Sea Pro is over NADA, it has many extras, as does the Carolina Skiff.
More info on the Sea Pro: It also comes with an engine cover and a custom boat cover. Both guys claim to have all original boxes and manuals for all of the equipment. I have been on the water with the Sea Pro and will be going out on the Carolina Skiff this weekend. The Sea Pro had a slight surge but the man says he can correct it with very minor repair. If I choose this one, I will ask him to make the repair with a promise to purchase if it does not surge the second time in the water. I am open for any advice or suggestions as to buying a boat or the dependability of either of these boats.
I need to correct myself on the Carolina Skiff. It is actually a Sea Chaser by Carolina Skiff. I have been told that the hull is not shaped the same even though it is made by the same company.

personaly i would go with the carolina skiff because it will be more stable on the water ecspecially if your going to take it out on the ocean and for fishing the sea pro will eventually get those minor scratches also and i wouldnt buy anything with a surge because that could be dangerous i own a 24.5 foot carolina skiff sea chaser bay boat from 2005 and its great plus the johnson engine is better then the tahatusu but im assuming its 2 stroke right.... welll so yes teh carolina skiff is deffintly the better choice have fun boating i love it or if you want a different boat check these out they can go in very shallow water www.dolphinboats.com

2006-08-30 05:00:18 by Veg Linz

i sold my tinnie that i used to go outside and catch mackral,cause it was too hard on my back with the tiller steer 50.,,,, i now have a sailboat its nice but i have now seen a plate alloy centre console i have dreamed about with self drain deck and checkplate floor all open no seats and a pod with 60 hp 4 st yammy. i also have trouble making descisions.... oh yeah it would use all my momey and i jhave no job,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Keep the sailboat. It is much less expensive to operate, and if you have no job and no money you could move onto your sailboat and live aboard until you get back on your feet. However, if you have a dream, you have to live it. An old salt once said to my husband as he was dreaming of cruising in a sailboat, "Sonny, if you wait til you're ready, you'll never go." My husband listened, and went sailing.

2008-02-08 16:22:24 by ell jay