F32/F36 Upper Station Console

[rossjo]

Good morning all!

Haven't been on the forum (or the boat) in some time due to my wife's health issues.

Our F32 is now back in the water after 6 months on the hill and then back up/down for hurricane Matthew. Its got a new bottom (literally - had to grind off everything including gel coat due to dishonest diver who didn't actually clean anything for a year). New bottom epoxy, barrier coats and 3 coats bottom paint, new Awlgrip transom paint, new water intakes for engines, new strainers, removed several transducers/thru-hulls and found a poorly patched hole in the bottom (which is now stronger than the hull), so we're solid now. Slowly sanding and repainting topsides (2 coats 2-party epoxy and 3 coats 2-part Awlgrip). Haven't been able to use this boat in a couple of years either, but plan to cruise some this fall/winter.

We don't like the console used on our 70's model F32 upper helm. Its low, has a silly backwards seat on the starboard side and has no place to mount electronics, etc.

We would like to upgrade to the 80's style console (photo from 198x Dan Faith's F32: http://s251.photobucket.com/user/DANFAI ... E.jpg.html). We have to replace the floor on the flybridge and want to upgrade, but retain the chain drive (I've rebuilt it all, and it works fine).


So a couple of questions:
1) Will the 80's style console work?
2) Does anyone know where I can find one?
3) Is the F36 upper helm console the same as the F32?

Thank you in advance, and looking forward to getting back in touch!

[prowlersfish]

Good morning Ross . I will try and help or at leat put in my 2 cents worth . hope you faired the storm ok and hope the wife is doing ok .


1) I think that would depend on whether to can change the angle of the steering on the bridge . I believe your wheel lays flatter can you post a photo ? On the later 70s F36 and I believe F32 they got away from the Backwards seat and I think the steering angle stayed the same . A friend with a F30 clean machine had one with the backwards seat he ended up boxing it in so he could mount electronics .

2) sorry can't help

3) I believe so depending on what fly-bridge have . The f32 had 2 different bridges . the sport fish? with out the salon had a small bridge . If yours had the forward seat in front of the helm the I believe it would be the same . I can measure the base of mine if you would like .

4) good hearing from you .

Photo of my helm 77/78 F36

helm.jpg (106.59 KiB) Viewed 17211 times

And yes I repainted around the Gagues

[gitchisum]

I know of a upper console from an 80's F-36. It is the bare shell, no controls, wheel or guages.

This is located in eastern WI ( Algoma ) No sure if it is what you are looking for however If you are interested, pm me and I will give you his phone number

[Stripermann2]

Capt Ross, very good to hear from you and I wish your wife well in her recovery.

The later console will work but you'll find some minor modifications may be needed to retain your chain drive, through the lower portion of the console.

I am almost certain that the consoles are the same on both the 36 and 32, as my good friend has the 36 and I am very familiar with it.

Not sure where to find a bridge but if you're on Facebook, there is a Trojan group which sometimes has parts for sale. https://www.facebook.com/groups/127978997244792/

Good luck,

Jamie

[rossjo]

Paul, Hamie and gitchisum,

Good morning and thank you for replying to my request.

We did fair the storm well - lots of prep and cleanup, but no damage. Already and the F32 on the hill, so I had them strap it down to auger anchors in the ground. They put steel harbor pilot boats on each side, so she was safe.

Thanks you for asking ... my wife has been battling canvas for 3 years. 4th round and found out the misdiagnosed it last Nov, so she spent 10 months on 2 rounds of the wrong chemo and surgery, while the chemo metasticized into her rib, liver and hip. We have moved on to MD Anderson in Houston, Roper St. Francis (a different local hospital here) and now Levine Cancer Center in Charlotte. MD Anderson is excellent (as is her medical oncologist here), and she is on 2 new chemo drugs, so we're hopeful. She is tough and still loves to go out at least once per week for a cruise.

We did spend some time in Rockport, Port Aransis and Galveston while in Texas. It is certainly different from the East coast boating (and love driving on the beaches), and the shrimp are huge. Very nice places to all who live down that way!

Paul, We have a 1974 321 Sedan (full salon) with bench seat in front of the helm. My upper helm wheel is almost horizontal, but think I can add a U-Joint to angle it. What year is your F36 Paul? I don't recall ever seeing that exact console in my searches.

gitchisum, I just PMed you. Thank you!

Jamie, Thanks for updates. I don't use Facebook, but will look there... We do have a company Facebook account, but really don't use it.

Thanks again, and good to be back on the board.

Next Q: I need to repair/replace the floor on my flybridge. I think it could be repaired, but why not just remove it and do it right? Any thoughts?

[prowlersfish]

Ross , Mine was built in 77 but its a 78 model .

[rossjo]

Paul, Is your 77/78 upper console wheel horizontal like mine then? Did/does it use chain drive?

gitchisum, thank you for the phone number by PM, I will call him...

[prowlersfish]

Ross it is not chain drive it also is about 10 degrees from horizontal . I measure to be sure . I don't believe any F36 conv used chain drive , but I could be wrong . my uses a Hynautic system .

[prowlersfish]

Ross this is a 78 F32 helm I found on Yacht world you could redo yours to be like this . I know someone that did it on a clean machine f30

[rossjo]

Yes, that 78 is my helm with the built-in aft facing seat removed.

I really want something where I can mount electronics, etc. like the 80's upper helm consoles.

I'll have to add a U-Joint to the steering shaft...

[rossjo]

Finally able to post a photo..

Here is Dan Faith's F32 upper helm:

[prowlersfish]

That's like the newer F36 ones

[rossjo]

that would be great

[larryeddington]

The one Prowlerfish posted appears exactly the same as the one on my junk 77 F28 that is almost stripped clean. The seat is in the front. Come get it you can have it.

[davidsmith]

My 77 F36 has chain drive steering