V20 Pilot House??
 

Another crazy idea of mine......
Has anyone considered building a pilot house on their V20? The main drawbacks are weight, aerodynamics, and it would be hot during the summer. But with a pilothouse you can fish your V year round in the colder months. I was thinking either a rollup clear curtain or removable windows for ventilation. It would have to be constructed of light composite core materials. Putting a good angle on all three axis of the windshield would help with aerodymanics. Not to mention you gain mounting for rod holders, antenna, etc on the roof. Maybe even a ling tower, i dont mean full on tower i mean the fish spotting thing right on top the roof. (i cant remember the name for it) crows nest? Anyways what do yall think about it? I think the V20 has the lines for it. I was thinking an open back design.

I actually at one point thought about doing a pilothouse on my v. I was gonna keep the forward deck you see on my boat pull the pilot house back from the bow just enough to make it a walk around style. She would look pretty Sharp!!!!

Like this?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...Ma_K0AGNuIH4BQ

Those are some sharp looking boats. Another issue with a pilot house is getting to the anchor pulpit. Krackers design would be ideal. But i was thinking building it right off the top of the gunnels.

Incorporating it into the gunnels would give you more space inside and shed most of the water overboard. IIRC -Hawaii seems to have their share of pilothouse boats. I love them for their function and their looks.
The Everglades boats I have seen lately have a lot of stylish glass around the T-top making for a nice enclosure, most all I have seen are powder coated and flawless.Attachment 4444

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This was a huge topic of discusion on THT. They talked about different designs and weight forward and the difference between a doghouse design and a pilot house design. They make some really cool bolt on DIY molds and structures but they are super expensive to purchase.

I think weight forward due to a pilot house would help on a V20. After i build my bracket i will do some testing on water. I have two thirtyish gallon livwells that whe filled equal almost 500lbs. I figure moving them around will give me an idea of any porpoising issues. I will already be stern weighted due to a 30" bracket. Ridge i have seen several of the pilot house Everglades here. I like the looks. Would plexi work for a windshield? I am thinking of a wrap around windshield with no pillars except for a piece of aluminum tubing at the front corners for visibility.

Plexi works but eventually gets scratched and tore up in my experience. I wonder how they use glass for their t-tops anyway? I see they are attached at the corners with rubber fasteners but still I would suspect the glass would be a safety hazard. They are very sweet looking and while they are not a pilot house they are somewhat of a hybrid and me likey.. They have that all figured out and more... Pricey!:zip:

Four pieces of marine ply and it's done - three walls and roof !

Cut hole for window and bolt / caulk a piece of plexi.

:clap: OR i can forget the window and just cut a hole and stick my head thru it! Thanks BGreene :you: