Dashboard

The dashboard is located about 1 inch forward of the peak of the coaming so that the cowling deck will overhang 1 inch.

The curve of the dash rises 2 inches above the coaming. My dash is 6 inches wide at the centerline and could have been at least two inches wider -- I had to add the piece shown to accomodate the steering bearing. The exact shape and size of your dash will depend on the steering setup you intend to use. Cut or drill instrument openings before dash is installed, if possible.

NOTE: I located my seat right up against frame 4, so my steering wheel is about 14 inches aft of the dash. A normal dash-mounted steering system would never work here, unless you move the seat forward. Boat performance will probably be best if you keep weight aft as much as possible.

The steering system I built is shown. The shaft is a 3/4" steel rod. The drum was turned on a lathe and has pulley wheels screwed to each end, allowing the drum to be secured to the shaft. (The steering wheel is also bolted to a pulley wheel to facilitate attachment to the shaft.) The shaft is mounted on two flange-type bearings (purchased from Surplus Center), which are locked to the shaft with set screws. By loosening the set screws on the bearing and drum, the shaft slides fore and aft to adjust the steering wheel position.

(The coaming pulleys I used are from Sorensen's. They have other steering hardware as well.)

Bulkhead

The cowling bulkhead is located approximately 20 inches forward of the dash -- or to accomodate your steering, etc. The centerline height of the bulkhead is determined using a straightedge resting on the dashboard and the stem. Notch out the upper corners of the bulkhead for the coaming battens which will be added presently.

I also used the straightedge to create a block to be located just aft of the stem. This block receives the forward end of the cowling batten, and is later used to secure a bow handle.

You will also need to build up the stem between the coamings, up to the level of the top edge of the coamings. The straightedge will help here as well.

Complete the cowling framing with 1/2" x 1" battens at the top edge of the coaming, a beam along the top of the bulkhead, and a centerline batten from the bulkhead to the block.

Two battens, set about 5 inches apart, are used between the dash and bulkhead so that an access opening can be created here.

Cowling Deck

The 1/8" decking is attached with 1" ring-shank bronze boat nails spaced about 3 inches apart. Clamps can be used at dash and stem.

The cowling deck should be level with the hull decking at the forward edge of the stem.