Cut out the left side panel for the center console using an Olfa knife which took about 20 knife strokes per cut. After finishing the cutout, I test fit the side panel, highlighted a few places where it fit too tight. I filed down the highlighted areas and refit a couple of more times. Once the fit was to my satisfaction, I tried the left side panel in the right side to confirm the fit.
Once I confirmed the left side fit to be good on the right side, I used the left panel as a template for the right panel and traced it on to the .034 aluminum sheet and cut it out. I ran through the same process with the right side to hone down the edges to get a good fit.
Left side panel test fit in place.
Right side panel test fit in place
Looking down between the side panels to confirm rudder cable clearance.