Converting a Holiday to a Center Console

[pkeppers]

I've been interested in a boat for a few years but I have a bad back and sitting isn?t generally comfortable, especially when bouncing. I started looking at old boats again and the 18' Starcrafts seem to make sense to me, big enough for a nice day on Lake Superior (close to shore) but easy to haul and launch at smaller inland lakes.

I started looking at some and basically they aren?t comfortable to sit in for me. I'm 6'4" with long legs (and a bad back). I looked at a factory center console version and the console is pretty low. I found what I think may be a good deal on a Holiday. I'm pretty mechanically inclined. I've completely rebuilt a car and built a garage, done plumbing, wiring, etc but I've never had a boat. I'm thinking that what would work well for me is to take a 18' Starcraft and make my own center console, high enough for me to stand at with a leaning type seat or possible a really comfortable seat (like a bucket seat out of an old pickup) on some sort of suspension that is pretty high, like sitting in a pickup.

A Holiday is probably the worst of the three versions to try to convert but I still think it could be done and look decent. Is there anything structural about the aluminum covering of the bow on a Holiday or could it be removed to create an open bow boat? Maybe you wouldn?t really have to remove it?

Does this sound like a practical project?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Converting a Holiday to a Center Console

Totally doable. Nothing particularly structural about that bow cap. Check out jasoutside's Jet project which, although smaller, is still a closed bow to open conversion and the steps would be the same http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=455193 yooperangler is building his own console for his Mariner http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=439481

 

[64osby]

Re: Converting a Holiday to a Center Console

pk - I am thinking you live in Wisconsin.

Here is 21' Mariner center console that I saw. It might be less work to start with a CC.
http://northernwi.craigslist.org/boa/2558570388.html

I know you stated 18' so the 21' might be a little big, but it's a great boat and it does come in an 18' model.

This is mine


I am 6'4" also and standing with the factory setup is not bad although a high leaning seat would be great.

 

[barato2]

Re: Converting a Holiday to a Center Console

nothing to do with CCs or Holidays, but......

i'm also 6'4". i have an 18' holiday, which gives me the exact same feel you mentioned, too low for comfort. i also have the exact same 18' hull in a Starchief version (mini cabin cruiser).....the starchief seating puts me up much higher and is pretty comfortable (at least in the driveway...), plus is set up so it's easy to stand while operating helm, a near impossibility with the holiday. tradeoff is that it's a slightly more complex boat in terms of electrics etc just due to the cabin aspect. you might consider looking at one of the cruiser models and do a test sit.