How to finish this console

[dccordell]

Hey everybody... finally getting a little extra time to play around with my old deck boat and try to finish it up.

I'm trying to get the console finished so I can move on to other parts. I'm mostly happy with the console at this point, but I'm still not sure of the best way to enclose the back portion of the console (which faces forward). When I got the boat, this part was so rotten, I could barely tell how it was put together. Basically, it was a piece of plywood (stained I think), with a cup holder rack built on top for the people sitting in the bow. I don't know if it was on hinges, or how it opened. Also, on top of that, there was a fold-out table with a single leg that could be raised for whatever reason. The other side of the console is enclosed, so any access to the inside of the console (electrical) must be accessed from this back side.

I'm thinking take some aluminum angle and trim out the raw edges of the fiberglass, and then somehow make a plywood piece to cover it up. I can upholster this plywood, but I'm not sure how to attach it to the console to allow easy access to the inside, while also making it so it's somewhat water-proof. It may or may not have the cup holders..

Do you guys have any ideas/opinions about how I could make this look right? Here is a picture of the opening...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: How to finish this console

I would use either wood or aluminum to frame the inside and then use either magnetic door catches or Rare Earth magnets for catches. I would then use Rubber Self Stick Door/Window Foam Sealant Strips to line the edge. Construct a cover from 1/4" plywood and build a cup holder shelf on the outside. (See Drawing) Shouldn't be too hard to construct.