Silent thunder mods

[Mopower]

For external hydraulic steering.
Late 80s silent Thunder Platforms weren't designed with external sterring in mind . When having nearly 1300 hp you really need it
Tilting the drives would cause the steering rams to hit the center pod. A friend of mine did his and his wife tilted up the drives and bent his steering rams.

 

[Mopower]

So let make the center pod shorter ;D Cut 3 1/4 inches off below the pipes.

 

[Mopower]

Made an 8 layer fiberglass sheet and glassed it back in place from the inside,

 

[Mopower]

Baffles had to go to allow for exhaust flow :

 

[Mopower]

Another shot

 

[Mopower]

Corners rounded and glassed on the exterior.

 

[Mopower]

Now the sanding begins followed by some gel coat and it will be done. More to follow in the next couple of days

 

[206LSdrvr]

Mopower, Looks good. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

 

[aquaforce]

Jam up work MO ;D


Might be a little louder too

 

[Mopower]

Well I bought the hydraulic steering 3 years ago and haven't been able to find a higher style ST (there were two styles). Last one I located , on a project/parts boat in Ft. Lauderdale and the owner wouldn't part with just the platform

 

[Mopower]

;D

 

[Mopower]

On goes the gelcoat

 

[Mopower]

Coat number two.

 

[206LSdrvr]

Lookin' good.

 

[Mopower]

We're gittin' there

 

[35thls1ss19]

looking very good!

 

[Mopower]

Ok , gentlemen. You're about to be the first to see the finished product (not on the boat yet , of course)
Even has the drain holes ;D

 

[Mopower]

Right side up , well almost :-[

 

[Mopower]

Another

 

[Mopower]

Here's one to compare center pod to the outside ones which were all the same size at one time ;D
Now I can install my hydraulic steering and not have the rams hit when the drives are tilted