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Hey,
So I have a Moomba Mobius LSV 2013. I really hate that all the access to the inside of the boat is over padding.... I can see it ripping very soon! Any way I would like to know if anyone has removed the upholstery on the engine cover and replaced it with gatorstep or SeaDek?
Thanks,
I’ve never heard of anyone doing that. It think it look like crap. That upholstery is just covering some ugly looking panels. It would like a couple doors with some really nice gatorstep on ‘em. In addition the foam padding and upholstery seal the area. I would think without it the engine noise would be quite loud.
I have an 08and haven’t had any issues with it. I don’t access the engine compartment but maybe a couple times per year.
If you pull the trigger, I’d be interested in some pics and a review.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeepers
You’re probably right... maybe I’ll scale it down a bit. Something more like the engine covers on the new Supra’s
I have thought about having a walkway built down the middle. Somehow you’d have to build up the walkway higher. I’d be interested in seeing any ideas.
The walkway sounds like a great mod!
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I'm going to be putting Gator Step down on the engine cover as suggested in the OP. I just pulled off the vinyl and started on the foam last night. I contacted the local dealer about getting the factory transom walkthrough from a 2014 or 2015 LSV for my 2013. The dealer said it was available but would not work. I couldn't get much of a reason or detail as to why it won't.
https://i.imgur.com/fn8Ji4h.jpg
Here is the engine cover with all the foam and vinyl removed. The material is a honeycomb aluminum panel made by Plascore. There's a notch on each side of the panel in the middle I need to figure out how to fill. I think the notch was placed to make room for the welting to wrap around without getting pinched. I think I'm also going to fill the big square hole for the latch somehow as well. Maybe just a piece of HDPE supported by some aluminum angles on the backside of the cover.
https://i.imgur.com/7DWJu5W.jpg
Seems like you could remove the cover. Then cut a piece of thin hdpe to the size of the step-through you want. Use that as a template to cut the foam in the right spot. Reattach the foam and cover, attach the hdpe where the foam was cut out, over the vinyl. Gatorstep over that. Done.
I have considered this also on my 12 for the same reason....I hate having everyone that rides with us constantly clambering over the vinyl with boards etc. I would probably approach it like @Shoebox mentioned above. Try and keep the original vinyl intact and removed a center couple feet wide section of foam all the way from the front to back then rewrap the vinyl around the existing foam. In the new center flat section I would doe maybe 1/2 or 3/4" HDPE cut nicely to fit topped with seadeck etc. This wouold essentially look similar to the way the newer LSV's are made.
I can't imagine why getting one for a 14 or 15 wouldn't work....Assuming you are getting the whole fiberglass panel, foam, and upholstery. It looks like they have a higher section molded in fiberglass in the center in which the seadeck material attaches. The hull I would almost guarantee is identical. and would allow you to simply install the entire new center section. I DEFINTELY would not go simply based on the dealer's comment that it won't fit. They are more often clueless other than what the computer tells them when they punch in a model number or year. I'm sure that's all they were going off of. The "computer" told the parts guy that panel is only for a 14-15 therefore he claimed it wouldn't fit.Quote:
Originally Posted by license to ill
I am in Process of doing this to my 13 lsv. I removed old and took off vinyl, but my factory piece had gotten busted, So i went the Marine plywood route. Took (2) 3/4" thk. boards. Glued / screwed together for height. Glassed, Wrapped sides in Vinyl to match boat, and waiting on Gator step at moment, Once its done i can provide a picture
Anyone have any more pics of installation of the step, cut out of the foam, how they fastened the rigid step. Curious on the mod as I have a piece of gator step for a transom that I could use
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I finally made some more progress. Just about done now and just waiting for the Gatorstep to come in.
The steps (basically) starting after the pieces were removed from the boat.
1. Remove staples from the bottom to remove vinyl covers.
2. Remove the foam from engine cover panel. I used a razor and a scraper since it is glued down.
3. Used 3/8" HDPE on top of the entire factory engine cover to cover the square opening from the engine latch. I had to remove some HDPE material from the bottom to account for the plastic plate washers that are used to mount the hinges and strut mount. HDPE was cut to fit and I used 2 pieces.
4. HDPE is fastened to the engine cover with low profile aluminum binding barrels and screws from McMaster car. Item number 93121A337. I could not get any screw threads to engage the thin aluminum. I also used a wood bit to counterbore the holes so the fasteners are below the surface and bought nylon plastic plugs from McMaster (9688K271) to cover the holes. I'm not sure if I am going to use these or not yet or just fill the holes flush with something. The caps stick above the surface 1/16".
5. Used a hole saw to cut a hole for the cover latch. The tab in the engine compartment that engages the latch needed to be adjusted due to the new elevation of the latch on the engine cover (without the foam).
I also made a step in the center of my single-piece rear seat. I don't have a photo of that right now. I'll post it after the gator step arrives and I can share complete photos. The foam in my rear seat was 3" thick so I got a 2" thick piece of HDPE and then used some doubled up scraps of the 3/8" material from the engine cover to elevate it 3/4". When the gator step is installed to the 2" block it will be just about level with the original seat height. A 2 1/2" thick piece of HDPE can be used if you can find that available.
Notches to clear factory mounting hardware.
https://i.imgur.com/Pqxv3fx.jpg
Used HDPE to cover square opening.
https://i.imgur.com/ioXAW5o.jpg
2 sheets of HDPE with countersunk holes.
https://i.imgur.com/3Qh6c0b.jpg
barrel and screw fasteners. I used some lock-tite on these.
https://i.imgur.com/DDZxOwo.jpg
Couple more photos.
Hole for engine cover latch.
https://i.imgur.com/4rUf4r4.jpg
Waiting for gatorstep
https://i.imgur.com/7TOckYp.jpg
This is the finished product on mine.
Used 2- 3/4” thk marine plywood. Then glassed for extra protection
Attachment 28570
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Can’t wait to see the final product with the gator step. Might be my next winter project.
Following this project. Can't wait to see the final product.
can you get some other pictures? Love to see a a few more..Quote:
Originally Posted by Pnut80
Here is the finished product guys. I'm really happy with the way this turned out. I ended up liking the larger step area more than a skinnier one such as the stock step. Sometimes there are a couple people standing up on the engine cover.
https://i.imgur.com/9bvfUlR.jpg
Looks awesome! You just gave GatorStep some measurements and they made that custom piece?
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That looks very good. Very impressive. Me likey.
Yes, basically. I had to order a template kit from them. It's a roll of mylar and comes with specific instructions. You cut out the mylar a little larger than the piece you are creating the template for, tape it to the boat so it doesn't move around. mark on the mylar with a marker and send it back to them. They will send you a paper test fit that is a replica of the dimensions of the non skid you will get. If it fits, you just approve that and they will send the actual piece.Quote:
Originally Posted by Craz16
PS. Please excuse my beat-up rear seat. That vinyl is getting replaced, I just need to go pick up the material from the dealer.