FF to Pilothouse Conversion

[Curious]

Ok guys, what do you think?  I am considering removing the windshield:



And mounting a windshield/hardtop/pilothouse similar to the Ocean Scout design:



I would have to figure out what to do about the sliding covering board that allows access to the bow but I have a couple of ideas on that.  

Any thoughts on materials?  Wood, starboard, aluminum, fiberglass?  Prefab and bolt on or build in place?  Does anyone produce aftermarket pilothouses?  Do you think a company like Ocean Scout would be able to create a version of their pilothouse to my measurements? Pros and cons?

I'm itching for a winter project and I realized last weekend that I need a "3 Season" boat.
Thanks, Dan

[RickK]

I don't think it would be too hard to build one out of composites to keep the weight down and get what you wanted out of the build. Tough part, to me, would be finding prefab windows, ones that opened so you could get a breeze through the house in the summer and still be water tight and still look nice.

[dburr]

Dan consider a West coast windshield.. It would give you a bunch of room that you will not have with a Typical Downeast windshield, it  might take some getting used to but it would look good.  CB found the picture for me the last time I brought it up, one of our west coast brethren did a nice conversion of a FF if I remember correctly.  

Check this link out it is what I am referring to:

http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1083&title=boat-bradys-field-trip-soccer-261&cat=500


With a Downeast house your gonna have a long windshield to get the headroom you want.  You will have to be careful about window size and placement or she will look out of balance like the 22 Sisu's do..  

Otherwise GREAT idea, go with the lightest strongest stuff you can get, maybe the boys at Gannon & Benjamin might have something laying around?
 

[RickK]

The pic is from fishhead's 230 Osprey conversion to a pilot.

[Curious]

Rick, I saw that thread, that is a nice pilothouse.  I don't think I can afford it though and I prefer the look of the slightly raked back windshield, although now that you mention it you do lose a bunch of room when you compare the two.  There's a guy on here, Antonio I think, who did something similar to a 22 walkaround, looks really good.

[Curious]

These guys do windows:

http://www.wynneinc.com/

[Capt. Bob]

There's a guy on here, Antonio I think, who did something similar to a 22 walkaround, looks really good.

http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery ... se&cat=500

I really like the idea and have kicked it around in my mind for awhile. As Rick mentioned, the windows could be a chore but still, there are people (as stated above) that will make what you need.

Good luck.

[Curious]

Thanks Bob, it's just an idea swirling around in my brain right now.  I'm just sick of getting wet from spray coming over the windshield.  Installing trim tabs has greatly improved the ride, but now when I stuff the bow down, the spray comes up quite a bit more forward than without them.  So the next idea I had was spray rails but there is no way to access the hull to through bolt a set of rails on this boat.  Besides as I get a little older I have really started to want the protection of a pilothouse to reduce the spray and truly be able to use the boat for 3 seasons and I would prefer to stay away from curtains.  I'm kind of at the point where I have to decide whether I should get rid of this boat and start looking for a pilothouse boat or keep what I have and adapt it.  Right now financially the latter is the only choice for me.

[TheKid]

Often toyed with same idea.

I see fishheads boat out almost every weekend. I think that was a purchased pilot house.

Anyway, there are a million ways to do it. But just like anything there are pros and cons.

If I was going to do it, it would probably be glass and plywood. Windows are easy to order.

I ended up putting a tower and now a top on mine. Next will be canvas with poly windows.

I should have all my top done this weekend. Pics to come.

[RickK]

Yup, Fishead's was a purchased one.

[GoneFission]

Pacific Pilothouse makes several models, and can do custom work as well.  Lots of pictures and examples on their website: 

https://www.pacificpilothouse.com/californian 

[Capt Tom]

Curious,
Did you ever attempt this. How did you handle the sliding covering board?
Thanks.