25 Mako, bow seating

[APMako22]

1979.

I never paid much attention to the forward seating arrangement. But after seeing some old pics of 25s, I realize there is a center piece that used to go there that was removeable. On its own it would give you a nice elevated casting platform, or with cushions a large 'lounging' area on a sandbar day. So then I realized I actually have the cushion in storage, but the platform piece is long gone (I probably never had it). I'd like to find or make something that would work there in place of the original.

Does anyone know, what was that center piece made of, fiberglass, wood, some combination?

And the related/follow up question would be, if you wanted to build one from scratch what material would you use? Marine ply cut to size would be the simple choice I guess, but I would want to coat it with something... I'm not sure what.

I thought about trying to find a whole piece of teak to match the rest of the trim but I'm not sure where I will find any boards wide enough.

Whatever it would be would have to be strong enough to support the weight of someone standing on it - I cant imagine straight fiberglass without laying it up really thick, so not sure how to proceed here.

Any ideas?

[Keven]

You would want something cored, either with wood or carbon core could be a good application here.

[Keven]

You would want something cored, either with wood or carbon core could be a good application here.

[keyman]

Another choice could be a piece of 3/4" starboard in white. Fairly easy to work with and you wouldnt have to finish it. Standard wood working tools like router for roundover the edges. Dont think any support gusset would be needed but that depends on span. The 3/4" material should work.

[muzzy1127]

i have an 81 25 and it never had this piece, i think the newer 254 had this piece. ID be afraid starboard would sag, Id be more apt to making it out of marine ply and fiberglass coating it. Ive thought about building something for mine as well.

[flounder]

AP,

The factory option for the casting platform was a grid of 1/2" x 1 1/2" teak members. The Platform sat on 1" x 1 1/2" rails attached to the face of the seats under the hatches. The rails where set so that the platform was flush with the seats when in place.

This table top is constructed exactly like the original platform, except that the platform conformed to in inside face of the seats



Hope this helps. Good luck.

[keyman]

Depending on the span I doubt 3/4" starboard would flex. Starboard would require less preparation for installation and is easy to work with similar to wood. If there is any flex a center support or gusset could be added. We replaced the gunnel boards with starboard and was orders with a diamond pattern.

[rustyolddad]

Dang Joe you know everything!

AP Mako 22 that is a great idea. You have inspired me to get on the cad machine and start drawing something up. I told the wife I needed some more time in the woodshop and this could be the reason. That would make a great laying around area as well as a seating area for fishing!

quote:

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Originally posted by flounder


AP,

The factory option for the casting platform was a grid of 1/2" x 1 1/2" teak members. The Platform sat on 1" x 1 1/2" rails attached to the face of the seats under the hatches. The rails where set so that the platform was flush with the seats when in place.

This table top is constructed exactly like the original platform, except that the platform conformed to in inside face of the seats



Hope this helps. Good luck.

---

[APMako22]

Joe, appreciate the note. I still have the rails attached to the seats, so I can definitely "picture" how it would have been. I'm not sure I have the carpentry skill to fashion my own teak grid like that.

Keyman, Starboard isn't a bad idea, my boat is all mustard colored floors and teak hatches and trim, I guess my concern is the starboard would sort of look out of place there. While I don't have the money for a full resto that I'd like to do, I'm trying to keep it looking nice and 'classic'.

I think I'm leaning towards using marine ply for structure and trying to find some teak veneer sheets to glue down, coat, and seal it all to (try, at least and) match the rest of the wood trim.

[APMako22]

quote:

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Originally posted by rustyolddad


Dang Joe you know everything!

AP Mako 22 that is a great idea. You have inspired me to get on the cad machine and start drawing something up. I told the wife I needed some more time in the woodshop and this could be the reason. That would make a great laying around area as well as a seating area for fishing!

quote:

---

Originally posted by flounder


AP,

The factory option for the casting platform was a grid of 1/2" x 1 1/2" teak members. The Platform sat on 1" x 1 1/2" rails attached to the face of the seats under the hatches. The rails where set so that the platform was flush with the seats when in place.

This table top is constructed exactly like the original platform, except that the platform conformed to in inside face of the seats



Hope this helps. Good luck.

---

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rustyolddad - Now this is fascinating, do you plan to use the CAD to cut the whole shape from a large piece of wood, or individual pieces to then glue together to make the grid? In any case sounds cool, Keep me posted how that goes.

[rustyolddad]

Strength will be in multiple stiles and rails. Thus it would be constructed our of slats that glued up. If you do much woodwork, today's epoxy glues are far stronger than the wood they adhere to.

Similar to this:



Can you upload some pictures of the "rails" that are still on your boat. Please include dimensions as much as possible.

C

quote:

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Originally posted by APMako22

quote:

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Originally posted by rustyolddad


Dang Joe you know everything!

AP Mako 22 that is a great idea. You have inspired me to get on the cad machine and start drawing something up. I told the wife I needed some more time in the woodshop and this could be the reason. That would make a great laying around area as well as a seating area for fishing!

quote:

---

Originally posted by flounder


AP,

The factory option for the casting platform was a grid of 1/2" x 1 1/2" teak members. The Platform sat on 1" x 1 1/2" rails attached to the face of the seats under the hatches. The rails where set so that the platform was flush with the seats when in place.

This table top is constructed exactly like the original platform, except that the platform conformed to in inside face of the seats



Hope this helps. Good luck.

---

---

rustyolddad - Now this is fascinating, do you plan to use the CAD to cut the whole shape from a large piece of wood, or individual pieces to then glue together to make the grid? In any case sounds cool, Keep me posted how that goes.

---

[APMako22]

quote:

---

Originally posted by rustyolddad


Strength will be in multiple stiles and rails. Thus it would be constructed our of slats that glued up. If you do much woodwork, today's epoxy glues are far stronger than the wood they adhere to.

Similar to this:



Can you upload some pictures of the "rails" that are still on your boat. Please include dimensions as much as possible.

C

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Mine is currently wrapped and in storage for the winter but I should have her back in a week or 2. I'll gladly get some pics and measurements for you then.

I have little to no experience woodworking, but I'm aiming to give myself a crash course in it. In addition to this "side project" I'm planning to take all the existing wood off the boat and redo it all. Some just needs sanding and a few new coats of varnish, other pieces are split, rotting, damaged or missing, and my aim is to bring it all back to showroom condition, or as close to it as I can manage.

[flounder]

Rusty,

I happened to see one in a Mako Dealer's showroom, just saw it in passing and remembered.

I only know enough to keep getting in trouble.[8D]

BTW, the grid may have been 1x's. The picture in my mind recalls 1" x 1" openings. But you can size what is pleasing to your eyes.

[rustyolddad]

As soon as AP gets me some pics I will draw something up and share with the crowd. I have a good idea, but want to see if I am missing some detail. I will most likely make it from a teak like product and epoxy the finish. I have used starboard materials for other projects, but in the dead sun I don't see them keeping the strength I want up there.

Ap...just let me know when you unwrap the boat.

quote:

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Originally posted by flounder


Rusty,

I happened to see one in a Mako Dealer's showroom, just saw it in passing and remembered.

I only know enough to keep getting in trouble.[8D]

BTW, the grid may have been 1x's. The picture in my mind recalls 1" x 1" openings. But you can size what is pleasing to your eyes.

---

[APMako22]

rusty... it should be unwrapped next week, I'll get it Thursday... and bring my tape measure along. []