My 19' Daytona Eliminator Project

[dorton]

I've had this boat for almost 2 years now, and really love the way it rides, but i'm not
very pleased about a few small aspects of it, so hopefully this winter i'll get those straightend out.
#1 Seating position is very high in the boats. The boats are very shallow to begin with, then you add the stringer height, and then the 4" of cushion and you're in the wind on top of the boat. My plan is to change it to center steer, and drop to between the stringers anduse a seat with less cushion height.

Original Height:

Future Height

Changing it to center steer will bring up some small issues like the angle of the steering wheel, the throttle and some others, but i'll cross those when I get there.
#2 The boat gets wet really easy, and when the carpet gets wet, it gets moldy. I love the way it looks, but its getting stripped, and the floor will be painted for easier cleanup. What color should I paint the floor? I love the black, but wonder if it will be hot as hell in the summer, or will the water being on the backside of the floor keep it cool enough so its bearable?
Would white look crazy in there? How about red?


#3 I want a hatch for it, and am open to suggestions on what I should do to put one
on there. I've searched on here over, and over with relatively few hits on people building thier own. Keep in mind I will be just running 2 seats in the centerline, so no need to incorporate a bench or anything there. My other part of my hatch plan is a fairing on the hatch cover, but not sure what design I want to go with on that.
Hopefully some of you can post some suggestions, and if not, I'll post my progress as it
comes along.
Thanks

[Liberator*21]

This sounds like a neat project.......

Your not off as bad as some that own boats of your type. I've got a buddy that has a tunnel boat and his knee caps are next to his ears when he's in the pilot seat..............LOL.

I would not do black on the floor, you'd end up being the egg in the frying pan so to speak. My carpet is purple and it get's damm hot. Ever thought about having white Bedliner sprayed in it. That would be maintanence fee and very cool on the feet.

Center seating will be similar to the Allison configuration, that alone will balance out the boat nicely.

As for the rear hatch...........no clue. I'm no body man but I'd think a good body man could lay up a custom composite hatch cover out of C/Fiber. That would give you the strength and lite weight. It would be bitch'n if it was left with only clear on it rather than painted, C/Fiber looks too cool. I know, my cowl is hand made from C/Fiber and cleared, love the look and attention it gets.

Great look'n boat too, keep us all up to date on your progress as you go.......good luck with your project.

[native2]

I built the hatch on your brothers boat. I also put the wedge in the dash to change the angle of the helm. I also had to glass in the center seats. That was only way to keep it low in the boat. It was not that hard to do. I one offed a mold out of tile board with modeling clay in seems for the hatch. I will be glad to help you guys out. If you lived close I would build you one. I will see if I can find some more build pics.

[Liberator*21]

Bingo..............that's what I'm talk'n about ..........NICE WORK....

[dorton]

Native2, I consider this partially your fault. You did such a good job on his, it got me wanting to do basically the same thing on mine. You did a fine job on that boat. I appreciate the offer, I'm sure I'll be asking you some questions as I go.
Do you all think white floor paint would look ok in the boat?

[roadtriprhino]

Careful Cawley, he will have that boat hitched up and we will be headed your way with a truck load of supplies,and truck full of questions?? I told him you would be a great one tot talk to for advice!!! Thanks again for the great job you did!! Bryan

[native2]

Careful Cawley, he will have that boat hitched up and we will be headed your way with a truck load of supplies,and truck full of questions?? I told him you would be a great one tot talk to for advice!!! Thanks again for the great job you did!! Bryan

Glad to help out..... One day I will have to come up there and run with you guys.... It looks very nice up there.

[native2]

Careful Cawley, he will have that boat hitched up and we will be headed your way with a truck load of supplies,and truck full of questions?? I told him you would be a great one tot talk to for advice!!! Thanks again for the great job you did!! Bryan

Glad to help out..... One day I will have to come up there and run with you guys.... It looks very nice up there.

[aquavette]

I love the look of your boat, and can't wait to see what you come up with. I wouldn't hesitate to go with some sort of white paint to keep the floor cooler. (Even the medium grey carpet in my ski boat gets really hot.) White would look cool with a little red and yellow splatter on it to tie it in more with the exterior. I think it would look great with your seats and steering wheel.

As far as the hatch I can't offer much. Here is a photo of what I believe to be the original hatch in mine. Maybe it will provide some inspiration.

[Cseigneur]

What year daytona is this? I have some pictures of my 19' Daytona up on my profile page.

[OrangeCrush]

1984 belonged to Pete couple years ago whereabouts now unkown to me

[Cseigneur]

Do you know the hull construction at all? I've been told the early year daytona outboards are pretty hard to come by. Especially the kevlar/composite hulls.

[OrangeCrush]

Sorry cant help you there

[99fxst99]

Interior floor- off white or light gray with a trunk paint spatter pattern. Easier to keep looking clean than pure white.