Posted: 04/26/2009 at 8:40pm | IP Logged

Alright, so I am still painting and watching paint dry isn't very much fun...So, I decided to start putting my console together. I haven't started wiring anything, and am not looking forward to that part - maybe this week sometime.

I'll be adding a digital depth finder under the Tach (so I left a little space there)...

Posted: 04/27/2009 at 8:00am | IP Logged

The cutting was actually easy. I used a rotozip with a plastic/wood cutting bit. Cutting out all 8 holes took about 1-2 minutes per hole, so around 15minutes.

I do have a question for you mman3187, did you have to use a piece of wood behind the plastic (steering) to make for a thicker neck? The plastic seems a bit to thin, but I haven't really done any due diligence so I am just wondering...

Posted: 04/27/2009 at 9:56am | IP Logged

I didn't us a piece of wood but I did fabricate a piece of aluminum into a bar to go across the bottom two bolts into the console just to be safe.  I ended up cutting the hole a bit larger than I needed to and I wanted the extra support.  I would take a pic and send it to show you what I did but there is no way I can get a pic of that up inside the console.   I grumbled about the space to work inside the console at one point but now that it is all said and done I really like the fact that I was able to get everything to fit and it saved floor space.  Have fun. Mike

Posted: 04/27/2009 at 9:52pm | IP Logged

Cool console - very professional job. 

Dave

Posted: 04/28/2009 at 10:00am | IP Logged

Two weekends?? Ha is right!!  If it makes you feel any better, I started the first week of March and figured floating it 4th of July weekend. We put it in the LAST weekend of September!! Beer? two cases?? I had that gone by the start of the second weekend. I worked on it about daily too, a few hours before work, an hour at lunch and after work till dark most days. Things kept 'coming up' that caused me have to change direction and then do this before I could do that. You know how it is. But, its all worth it in the end. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. Hang in there, it's looking great!

Posted: 04/28/2009 at 2:53pm | IP Logged

Alright, I was playing with photoshop and came up with this design...yes it is a bit cheesy, but I thought it was kinda cool... The font (lettering) on the back of the pontoon is in coca-cola font (La Dolce Vita - The Sweet Life for those of you who don't read italian). I kinda liked the idea of following the coca cola wave, and incorporated that into it...still haven't decided on the wave yet, but the lettering has been ordered.

Posted: 04/29/2009 at 4:19pm | IP Logged

conunuu,

The plastic opening across the gauge cluster (from vinyl to vinyl) is 23.25 inches. I hope that helps...

Posted: 04/29/2009 at 10:02pm | IP Logged

that really does look fantastic!!!!!!

i am doing a rebuild...got some vinyl from a siding company and had 1 roll... got it for $5.00... but might be thinking about painting.. from the results of yours....  nice job!!!!

Posted: 04/30/2009 at 9:17am | IP Logged

Why yes we did warn you , so did some others . Its in my rebuild thread, took me and scbadiver about 3 hours I think. We cut the wood out between the supports, then used a grinder (2 wheels) to ground off the heads, pop the remaining wood off and then cut off and grinded smooth to the supports. We didn't worry about the screw remnants underneath the supports. Took about the same amount of time to square up the frame, layed the plywood, glue, layed and rolled (80lb roller I think) the carpet.

Oh and here's where I warned about that   http://www.pontoonstuff.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2136&a mp;PN=3&TPN=2 about halfway down.

Posted: 05/01/2009 at 8:16am | IP Logged

I started cutting the deck off as you all suggested (I actually feel like I accomplished something). I got about half way done before it got dark on me... This is way easier and cutting those little boogers (screws) off did make me feel better peppyjd. It took me about 2hours (solo) to get half way done... So, my next question is how do you take off the sticky black tar from the seams? Thinner?

Posted: 05/01/2009 at 7:14pm | IP Logged

Koon,

I thought about the aluminum flooring but it was way more expensive than I planned. I bought the marine plywood locally - not cheap either...

Posted: 05/03/2009 at 11:27am | IP Logged

The tear down is complete! Adding a pic of my son working diligently...

Posted: 05/05/2009 at 8:29am | IP Logged

I got the floor in (alot easier than ripping it apart) and since there was still daylight decided to lay the carpet... I'll finish cutting off the excess carpet on the sides this evening and maybe even start putting the painted rails on. I am finally starting to see the fruits of my labor.