1648 Lowe Jet Conversion

Long time reader, first time posting-

Using tapatalk, might be rough start figuring this out, I got a 1648 Lowe and a 1963 merc 650 jet free from the brother in law. It's more of a "living, breathing project". Spent most of my first year trying to get the motor running (ran once but then it was done). Found a (slightly newer) merc 800 for cheap, jet mounted perfectly. Only problem is that it's a long shaft, to mount properly the transom needs to be 28" tall. Fixed (for right now) with a 2x12 and steel angle, ugly but functional. I started decking the boat with pressure treated 2x4s and 3/4 pressure treated plywood. I also pulled the console out to find optimal mounting spot. I've pulled the wood decking out and started using aluminum angle. I've also found a center console I'm going to put in. Pictures and link to my aluminum angle inspiration to follow- I could use help on how to find the best spot to mount the console, foreward/aft, for the best balance/performance. I'm always open to suggestions and ideas.

a lot of the jet guys put their controls a little more forward so they have a clear view of obstacles coming ahead.

glad youre pulling the wood out of that boat. gotta hate wood in a boat.

You don't want any treated wood touching aluminum in your boat or it will corrode like crazy

Realizing I've got a pretty heavy outboard and console on a fairly short boat I'm trying to get as much input on the optimal balance of a boat for shallower draft while sitting and best planing performance. The wood gave me more ease of design but it was heavy and cumbersome. Still trying to figure out how to post pics...

This is where I left off end of last season, console was only a temp fix to get in the water- it is too far back. Even with the heavy 2x4 front deck, two grown adults on the rear bench will cause a "river wheelie" which is a little scary with the low transom height...

Since the last pics I've ripped out the front deck and saws-all'ed the front bench out to begin installation of the aluminum angle deck bracing and center console. I've ended up shortening the front deck from almost 6' down to about 4' to accommodate. my intended end state is to brace up a 3 to 4' foot rear deck approx 1.5' behind the console for a fishing platform and seat. I am realizing that I've reduced the capacity of the boat with weight and space considerations down to 2 but I'm crazy about that console!

Center Console, 3.5' from fore to aft- steering cables and control cable adapters are enroute via usps.

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What year is the boat?

I want to say 1970s

Put the console on the front deck and you will be good to go!

Lol I'm not thinking that's going to work out, I'll probably take it to the river and make a few trial runs shifting the console to find the sweet spot, mark it and run all the cables.

I am putting my gas tank under the front deck, putting console a foot forward and batteries under it

So the center console had a Yamaha 704 and I'm running an older merc- I went to attach the throttle cable only to find that the control is push to wot and the merc is pull to wot.... ruh-roh... limited info online but I was able to take the back off, switch some pieces around and get it back together without catastrophic failure and it works.

I've got the center console placed in the boat still waiting on my steering cable to arrive. Once it does I plan on taking a few test runs in the river to find the best balance point before I make a more permanent mount and run all the cables neatly and out of the way. I could use some input from any experienced aluminum fabricators out there- I want to replace the current setup that is kind of a redneck rig, 2x12 bolted onto the existing transom with steel angle ran out to the sides of the boat. It's putting significant pressure on the sides. The outboard is a 1978 merc longshaft with a jet.

Center console in, transom that I would love to know how to replace with an all aluminum fabrication