20' Seacraft MA - Console Question
 

My MA is getting restored and my console is in pretty cruddy condition. I was quoted $600 to get to new looking like new but still will have to replace the cushions and the front panel so I was looking for alternative consoles in that price range or less (give or take).

I found a console for that came off a 23' concept. I know the Seacraft consoles are big to begin with but this is a bit bigger. The stern side floor is 30" as opposed to 36 on my console from previous measurements and the bow side floor is 36". The biggest difference is that it is 55" long as opposed to 43". It is also 44" high and I don't have a measurement for that (boat is in shop and is a bit of a drive). It's a beautiful console and I would have to ship it...even comes with the gauges, switches etc. I know that most people go with smaller footprint console but wanted to ask all the wise people here and get your thoughts.

Too big and wide for my taste . But it's your boat do as you please.

Agreed , but that fire extinguisher insert has my name on it.
The 20s are narrow.
Call Marine connection liquidators. They have NOS pathfinder consoles. And lots of other goodies...

I still would be interested in seeing a picture of your SeaCraft and it's console. I'm not convinced it's a MA :confused:

Boat Pic
 

This is a picture of the boat before I bought it. If it isn't an MA that won't worry me any as I do like the boat regardless :)

Who is the short red haired scallawag? He looks like trouble and perfect for a Seacraft. Put him in charge of "looking out for the enemy" and get him a kneeboard. Quit fool'in around and get to work, we know who is in charge over there.

Your existing console is smaller than the one that came in my 20MA. That sure looks like my 75 MA. Mine had a console with a head in it. At 38" wide it is not all that easy to move fore-aft, but not terrible. But finding room to mount a t-top to the deck becomes problematic.

Mine had a swing out door so you can get to the head. I cut the door off, put a tank inside the console and use a cooler as a seat forward. This year I will put a 2nd tank where the cooler is. I put flotation foam where the 50 gallon under deck tank was.

If that is a tank filler cap on the starboard side, the cap can get in the way of the filler. I have a 45 degree inclined one. If that is freshwater fill, then the dock hose shouldn't be an issue.

A haulout picture after a few hard weeks thrashing an estuary and buzzards bay. You can see how big that console is. You can't put rod holders on both sides, just one, so you can use the other for fore-aft travel.

I put a console used on a flats boat no seat on the front I just use a cooler with a cushion seats two fine

I always wanted one of these for my 20ma when I owned it. You can remove it on calm days and be protected fishing solo. IMO T tops get in the way on small boats. That little console with the front seat is nicer than the BIG one if you like company on the boat. I'd also opt for a cooler seat over the leaning post. Everyone has their own preference. The best part about the 20 MA is that the gunnel is like seating all the way around the boat.

FIsh - the no windshield is the way to go with that big console.

http://images.craigslist.org/00l0l_5...AM_600x450.jpg
http://southcoast.craigslist.org/bpo/4902502835.html

I have a 77 MA and I thought my console was too big for me at least. It was not was to easy to get around to the front, and if you want to install a t-top it would eat up more room, I sold it and plan to get a smaller-skinnier-taller version with a cooler seat up front. Also I found that the storage area was not that user friendly and would need modifications to it. Storage is not great on any boat this size, but I think I would rather have less things in the boat and have more walking around room in the boat. I mean how much stuff do you really want on board a 20 open anyways?
Would rather have a nice place for the electronics, a t-top here in S Florida, a a little taller console so I don't have to hunch over

console
 

Terry England - The kid isn't one of mine...actually a picture from previous owner's post when he was selling it. I hadn't taken any of it yet...avoiding it till I can get something started.

gofastsandman - I heard about the Marine Liquidators place...meant to call them but forgot...are their console prices reasonable... ~500ish from anyone's experience?

FishStretcher - and I thought 36" was wide...wow! Mine is only 36". All the hardware I plan on replacing and will reevaluate each piece and location :-)

Bigshrimpin - I also love the gunnels...as long as they have some extra reinforcement.

My reasoning for a console of similar size is due to my wife. As crazy as it sounds I will try and keep as much wind off of her. She has CRPS/RSD (nerve disease) and if it kicks in it is painful to her. The more I can hope to get her on the boat the happier she is...happy wife...happy life!

This potentially could be moot if I go after a 23' that is for sale :D

Thanks for responses!

console
 

Well, I just committed to a console over phone. Similar to the SeaCraft but a bit more narrow but a bit longer, originally from a C Hawk. I personally like it a bit better than the old console...maybe it's just because it has a door on the front :p It was nice to buy local...and not have to pay $200-300 shipping only about $20 in gas :-)

34" wide
45" high
47 length w/seat
30" high towards driver - 10 @ 45 degrees - 11" @ 22 degrees - 11" level

Picking up the aluminum t-top also that needs some cleaning but was told no pitting. I'll try and pick it all up in my truck this week. I wasn't going to get a t-top due to budget but the price was right so went for it (over phone yikes!). It has a telephone booth enclosure that is junk but can use it as a template, which is why all the snaps. I mean those two things have been together for over 15 years...I'd hate to separate them now!

console and t-top picked up
 

I picked up the console last week and got home about an hour ago with the t-top. Both are in good shape...better than I was expecting but will know more when I clean them up more.

I am open to suggestions on configuration. While the console is long on storage it seems short of surface real estate, which I didn't factor in with all my wants :mad:

The top storage slides right/left
The middle also slides right/left
Bottom swings out right/left

I was going to add the following:

• Steering wheel/helm
• Stereo
• Trim Tabs (switch)
• Key/kill switch
• Binnacle
• Gas, Tach, Speed, Trim, ?Volt? (would like others if possible)
• FF
• DF
• Compass (up top)

Was hoping for a custom switch plate with ~10 switches including 12V & USB but this console has me scratching my head. I am probably going overkill but this is what I was hoping for. My past boats were already done lol.

Any ideas on where to put them? I could put them in one of the storage bins but like them where I can have quick access to. I could remove the doors I guess and starboard the whole top storage and remove the sliding doors which would probably work. All advise is appreciated to this Seacraft rookie!

Remove the sliding storage compartment and foam/glass that area and flush mount your stuff, looks like plenty of room on that console for what you want

console
 

I believe that is the only path and doesn't look too hard to remove and redo. Thanks!

It will Be tight but you will find room for all of your stuff on that console. I have a highly modified stock console from a 70sf and have room for all of the stuff you want to mount. I sectioned a few inches out of the middle to make it narrower, added a few inches to the bottom to make it taller, and added an extension to the top for flush mount electronics. What I ended up with looks similar to what you have there but about 30" wide and tall enough to work perfectly with a leaning post instead of a flip flop seat or something. Tape it off and start laying things out with a pencil until you get something you like

This is what I fit, and it wasn't too bad. I have a bit more area, but I put a fair amount of stuff inside the insert. I can lay the mic across the bottom for the insert, left to right, which is handy. Gravity always works.

If I had put the switch panels inside the console and not that insert, that would have been more roomy.

Some pics.
After, and before (but not done yet, but not so embarrassing):
Last one is in action. GPS antenna and 6 Watt solar panel atop console.

I am not saying I would do it that way again, but it isn't horrible. And an example to look at and learn from.

i want taller !! i want to flush mount my lowrance... but i just finished replacing the helm and binacle and it turned out pretty nice ... my vhf is mounted under the console for now ... also would like to flush mount it ...

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Good ideas and thanks for showing me your consoles. I will have the guy who is doing the work on the boat for me either starboard or fiberglass over before the whole thing is gelcoated.

Thinking of taking the console of my 85 20SF and splitting it right down the center to narrow it. Way to wide for my SF, 39 inches wide not including the flange. I haven't been able to find a console with dimensions that I like so I figured this would be my best choice.

Maybe you can find one here

http://www.themarineconnection.net/Consoles.html

Sectioned mine down to 30" wide. Love having the room around the sides of the console.

Thinking of narrowing mine to 32", I want to be able to find a leaning post the same width and still be able for to people to use it.

Birdsall marine can help you with the leaning post

Just for kicks I thought of everything I want and then drew it. I really like the wider consoles that come on the 20 but I don't like the fit, especially towards the front where the gunnel cap gets narrower. I drew this and plan to build it. I have a hull that is available to me but I am probably going to build this console before I start any hull work.
The mounting flange will be on the inside (where I personally think it belongs - no exposed holes in the deck). The T-top would mount to the step in the console (again, no holes in the deck). The footprint for the top is 34" x 34" square. I like the Contender style with rod holders on the side of the console and a flap in the fabric of the top for them to stick through. I plan to put a round livewell under the front seat and there is plenty of room inside for plumbing, batteries and some storage. I plan to fabricate with NIDA Core and use plywood where needed for mounting stuff. I also want to be able to stand on top of it for a better view (kind of a crows nest type thing, stand up through a flap in the top!). I like to fish for Dolphin and Sails and a higher vantage point equals more fish in the boat; towers are best but even a few more feet above the water makes a difference.
I know this is a lot of work but I cant seem to find a way to buy exactly what I want. Maybe the design will change a little when the work starts but this is my outline for what I want.

John make 2......... I need one also and soon

John Seabee tapered the front seat 1-1/12 " per side (2-3"over all) this allows just a bit more foot room in front of the center on and doesn't take away much from the seat area