Smokercraft 14' tiller to remote side console conversion

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RobsTV

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Did not see a lot of info doing a conversion like this, so thought I would post results for a possible example for others.

Just finishing converting boat to side console. Need to tidy up a couple lose ends.
No experience with this type of thing and am an IT guy by trade.

Absolutely hated using a tiller. Amazing how well she rides now with so much better control.
Net additional weight on starboard side is about 49 lbs (solo), which I can easily adjust for.
Still runs the same 24mph using 15HP Merc while Bimini top is up.
Did not lose any seating. Tad more crowded but well worth the upgrade!
When wife and I go out fishing with Bimini top up (Florida heat), she fishes off front while I fish off back, so no impact on fishing.
 

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I did the same thing to a Grumman CSS 14 a number of years ago, mine was a split bench model so the console got placed slightly behind the middle half seat. Being a big guy it didn't work out very well. It was fine when i had a buddy who was similar in size but solo I found it tough to balance the boat out being 300 lbs.
It made me move up to a 16ft with a 72" beam width, and a split bench where I put the fuel tank and battery on the left, plus a transom mount trolling motor and bracket off the the far left as well that was controlled from the console. The problem then was that if running solo, and I moved to the front casting pedestal The boat was heavy on the left. I found myself carrying extra weight to level the boat on those days.

I preferred the 14ft boat in many ways, mostly because it was faster and easier to launch, and it went places the 16ft couldn't. It also did better on the electric only lakes where I had no choice but to run only the trolling motor. (Which is most places here in NJ).

I eventually got a second boat, one 14ft with only electric power for freshwater, and the 16ft boat with the console for tidal waters.
 

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