Grant MacLaren's
1981 18' Century Resorter The motorbox -- page 3
"It needs a little work, but what boat doesn't?
Throughout this website,
a click on a photo will probably yield a larger image.
Here's how the corners turned out:
(Top is original, next two show cross sections of my "two-piece" version.)
3/6/12 Motorbox is quite different than original.
Top will be flat, not sloped, supporting a 2 inch thick cushion, in two sections.
Cushion base panel to clear top of flame arrestor by at least one
inch. (Actual = 1-3/8 inch.)
Front of box will "dip under" new beam, making cushion top
flush with beam top.
Beam -- is an inverted "U" of 1" solid wood top with 15/32"
ext. plywood sides. Beam ends wrapped w/glass tape set in
epoxy resin. To be upholstered. Beam clears thermostat housing 1-1/2 inch.
Beam supports the front seat back and ski tow eye.
Back of box will be one smooth piece -- no inset
piece as per original.
Front of box connects to seat back with original hooks. Inside of
box mates with two vertical rails on seat back;
outsides of rails are 32-1/2 inches apart.
May use aluminum square tube, and/or angle for rigidity.
All motorbox plywood edges coated with epoxy resin.
Above right: that's a beam anchor, one of two. (The new upholstered panel is narrower than original, as are all 6 side panels.)
The motorbox sides are 15/32 exterior ply, glued and screwed to the aft corners.
Above, left: that's my new saw.
Above, right: tow eye stuff. 1/2 inch pipe and fittings have been welded together. Pipe fits snugly into eye, then thru-bolted.
3/10/12 -- Three photos of box with two-piece tops in place:
