converting 19 foot bow rider to center console
 

Ive been thinking of this for a while and today I desided to start.I have this 1979 19 foot sea craft bow rider that I want to turn into a center console.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...PICT0013-3.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...PICT0001-5.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...PICT0002-8.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...PICT0003-7.jpg
I began today taking everything apart, doors, hatchets,
hoses,pulpit, bow rail and so on. the boat needs a lot of work but Im confident that with the knolegeable advice from the people on this forum I can get the job done. So all coments and advice will be heard, looked and appreciated.

Re: converting 19 foot bow rider to center console
 

Is this correct? Or is it a 69'?

Just go slow and easy. Check some of the other projects and see how they started.

Re: converting 19 foot bow rider to center console
 

Tito,

Is that an ID plate under the passthrough to the forward cockpit? If so, that will have the Hull ID number which may help to narrow down when the boat was built. It does look like a mid-late 60's version.

Re: converting 19 foot bow rider to center console
 

I thought about doing that to mine about a year ago. Im glad I didn't.

http://www.classicseacraft.com/forum...r=57203&Forum=,All_Forums,&Words=&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Main=572 03&Search=true&where=&Name=1761&daterange=&newerva l=&newertype=&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post5 7203

Re: converting 19 foot bow rider to center console
 

This is the ID plate But I dont know the procedure to find the year it was made. Can any of you help?

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...PICT0001-6.jpg

Re: converting 19 foot bow rider to center console
 

Gigolot; What made you chage your mind?

Re: converting 19 foot bow rider to center console
 

1969 at the latest, probably mid sixties

Re: converting 19 foot bow rider to center console
 

I really think that boat is a 69' not a 79'.

I would leave it original and restore it to a bowrider, and if not to a bowrider then sell it (or give it away as I'm sure someone on this site would take it) and buy a CC to restore.

Rig has potential.

Re: converting 19 foot bow rider to center console
 

You have hull no 521, suggesting it was built in 1967.
I've been logging hull id numbers for the Bowriders whenever I can find them. And so I have added yours to my list.
List includes: a 1967, hull id #512 AND another 1967 hull id #534. You number fits between the two.
Does the title tell you anything?

I have to agree with GradySailfish, there are a lot of CC's out there, and not too many Bowriders...so you don't have just a "classic", you have a "RARE classic".

If I can be of any further help, let me know.

Re: converting 19 foot bow rider to center console
 

Its a rare classic, Heck even on here the bow rider doesn't even get recognition in the galleries, and Specifications pages. I enjoy being in a boat that people look at and wonder what it is. I would not enjoy being in a boat like a grady, pro line, hydra sport, and so on where you see a handfull every day when your fishing.

I do have another boat that is a 22'CC and this one has more fishable room in the back than it does

Re: converting 19 foot bow rider to center console
 

65bowrider;thanks, really appreciate the help it appears that the # on the registration was writen wrong, allways had my doubts on that info.
gradysailfish; I think even if I would follow your suggestion on giving it away to someone on this forum (wich Im not too sure of) might need more persuation :D nobody would take it.
Im a looooooong way down in Puerto Rico.
Downhere bowriders arent too popular with fishermen and Im a comercial fisherman (diver) dedicated to the collection of marine ornamentals. When I first bought this boat about 12 years ago I was very inexperienced (a little less than today) with boats and didnt realiced this type of boat wasnt right for the type of work I do, but I had to use it for some years until I was able to get a cc. I finally was able to buy a 19 foot mako cc which is the boat Im actually working on.
This is the Mako:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...PICT0011-4.jpg
with a pair of 70 rudes:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...PICT0012-5.jpg

The reason Im going to do this is because I need an other boat so that I dont have to trailer great distances between fishing grounds I would just leeve one boat on two strategic points. I hope nobody gets in any way their feelings hurt by what Im doing but I just cant afford to buy an other rig at the momment and I allready have a pair of yamis for it.
Today the boat saw water again mixed with some love,
surpricing what a little water can do!
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...PICT0004-5.jpg
I also got the fuel tank out, came out preatty easy
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...PICT0001-7.jpg
Some repair was made to it in the past on the fuel tank cofin.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...PICT0002-9.jpg
and the transom needs to be replaced I think because the engine screws were sinking in the glass, this is the picture.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c8...PICT0003-8.jpg
What do you guys think?

Re: converting 19 foot bow rider to center console
 

I'd have to agree with gigolot, especially if you're gonna use it for diving. A couple of friends of mine are serious scuba divers, and they used a 19 bowrider for their dive boat for years and loved it. I've done a lot of diving off my Seafari, which has a big open cockpit similar to the bowrider, and that big cockpit is great for diving. Also has better weight distribution than a cc (not as stern heavy), so it rides better. That bowrider hull was designed to handle the weight of 2-3 folks up front, so it'd be a good place to store dive tanks. (Check out www.moeslyseacraft.com for more info on the 19 bowrider) Also, if you're used to a Mako, you'll be amazed at the SeaCraft ride! Before you do a lot of work to convert it to a cc, I'd just fix the transom, hang a motor on it, and try it as-is. You may be pleasantly surprised! As far as giving it away, anyone that rides in it in some rough seas will probably be willing to pay you some good money for it! :)

Re: converting 19 foot bow rider to center console
 

bushwacker;
Ive done a lot of diving on this boat because like I said before, I had to use it for some years before I was able to buy the mako. I got to tell you the boat handles great :cool: with the exeption that it is :eek: :eek: extreeeemly wet :( :( :(
Wich is one of the main things I would like to change to that hull. I was thinking of making some type of spray rails out of fibre glass directly on the hull. The thing is that some people say that if its done like this the forse of the water can rip the glass rails out. Can anyone help with this? The problem with me and the boat been a bowrider is the load arangement needed for the type of work I do.