Winter boat projects
 

With winter upon us and the boat back in the barn, I have begun making some upgrades.

A nice little stereo unit that fits a 3" round hole, 160 Watts 4 channel output, has a jack to accept usb and ipods.

Didn't want to drill large holes anywhere for speakers, so mounted box speakers under the gunwales. Sounds pretty good.

I thought having a pair of oars would be a good idea so I started making some, the pic is of just the glued up blanks, I'll be sculpting them to their final shape next. I'm not planning on rowing this boat, just thought they might be good to have on board.

Going to install some strip led lighting for the interior under the gunwales next. I liked the look of the blue but red is supposed to be better for preserving night vision so I bought one small red unit to see how it looked....still not sure.

Spring is a long way off so I got to keep busy. I have a lot of other improvements in mind.

So what, if anything, will you do to your boat this winter to get ready for next season?

Not too much. Gonna have the back rest for the leaning post seat reupholstered. Change the races and wheel bearings on the trailer. That's pretty much it. I don't have much else to do except clean and wax.

I have blue LED lighting under my gunwales and prefer it to red which was on my last boat. Dealers choice here. The oars.....um, not really man...unless you just feel like making oars to get in your way.Do you plan on installing oar locks?

1kw ducer (B164 is a big goddamn hole)
PSS shaft seal
T Top
New raw water intake and seacock.

Repower...so a big job.

Anyone want a merc V6 with Gen II outdrive, runs well, BUT cylinder 2 is soft, leak down test seems to indicate valve. It is in my boat and runs well, never would have known if I wasn't looking for something else!
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You sure you want a tee top?
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No oar locks, as I said, not going to be rowing this boat.
There were a few times this year I could have used an oar as a paddle or push pole though, and I have seen many boats similar to mine carrying one. It wont be in the way under the gunwale.

Going to order the blue led light strips. Do you have a dimmer switch on yours?

I'll probably decide against it again and just wear my tilly. :hihi:

There's an sc23 with a radar arch instead of a t top that the dude really likes. He does the same, just wear a hat.

Then ttop money = 4G radar and an arch

Likwid,

Have you tried that dripless teflon packing yet instead of going with a PSS seal? Was wondering how hot they get. If your rpm, fpm are lower than the suggested amount of travel. I was thinking of trying it at some point.

Yep, I run that now (the goretex), works great, but been needing to replace the stuffing box thru hull. So might as well go dripless while I'm at it.

I used my oars quite often, for those same reasons Bob. I could get my 13'dory in pretty close to spots that all I needed was a push off a rock or to paddle just a little bit closer...without fear of banging up the prop etc...then again, I can't drive fer#^&#^&#^&#^&, so paddling let's me do it slower :humpty:

Gilly, this past year I had a rope stuck in my prop, and was dangerously close to some rocks in choppy water.

I immediately deployed my anchor, but was getting pushed closer to the rocks as I tried to cut and untangle the rope.

With a paddle onboard I could have at least moved the boat a safe distance away from the rocks first.

Damaged a nerve on my left ring finger pulling on that freiking rope.

Lots of ideas of stuff to add but don't know if I will be in this boat next season...If I still own it I will add another roof-top rod rocket launcher (5 or 6 rods), maybe some electronic upgrades but I am in pretty good shape otherwise.

Nice upgrade on the sound system you did there...you might think about adding a bluetooth dongle to the system, they are cheap (30-50 bucks) and you (or your buddies) can wirelessly play tunes from anyones phone. I added one and its been a great feature.


While I am not plugging anyones company I have to give kudus to that auto-tether company that makes that wireless kill switch. I set that up last year and now for the almost two seasons have been using it when I am alone. I have had only one false alarm (when climbing into a fishbox below decks and either it hit something and triggered it or it lost its signal for a second) But other than that it has worked (tested it several times in the water) and it makes my wife a lot more comfortable when I take off for the day alone. It is not that expensive and it is pretty simple...really simple for outboards, a little wiring need for diesels. It would make a very good addition to any boat IMO and frankly should be considered standard equipment.

Thanks Sandman
I am definately going to look into the wireless kill switch.
Really good suggestion.
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Before and....ready for varnish.

Your skill level is hard to fathom Bob 😄, looks great

Oak?

Great work (as expected). Bob, where or rather how, do you plan on mounting those? I notice your gunnels looked finished.

Jim, wireless kill-switch...works off a blue-tooth-dongle? Off the VHF or Radio?

Thanks Gup. They really aren't too hard to make.
Made from spruce 2x3 under ten dollars. Had to go through the pile to find some with no knots.
I made templates for the blade and handle, then a die for the handle to check it as I shape.

[QUOTE=bloocrab;1024860]Great work (as expected). Bob, where or rather how, do you plan on mounting those? I notice your gunnels looked finished.

I had made these pvc rod holders in a hurry last year, not sure if I like them much. I was thinking of cutting a notch there at the top
and using a small bungee to hold the oars.

Looked up the wireless kill swich. Not sure if its the same one Sandman mentioned.

Small size unit easy to install on the dash connected to the existing kill switch with a sensor worn on your belt.

Was around $180... well worth it I think.

Aside from adding some electronics (Garmin 740s and a Uniden vhf), I changed out an 8" access hole in the splashwell and upgraded it to a 13"x23" aft-hatch opening (better, or rather easier access to the bilge and seacock area <<KUDOS to Goose for suggesting it to me>>.
I also replaced some caulking, fixed the rod-holders moved the fuse-block so as not to interfere with the Garmin or VHF and bought a custom cover which seems to be working out very well.

Where are the USB ports for that radio? inside the console, on the backside?

Radio
 

Can't tell from photo. What kind of radio is that. I have a great spot for one.

Thanks in advance
Jack

Jack: The radio is a Jenson Ms30. The usb and ipod jack doesn't always come with it, but can be purchased separately.

Great. Thanks for the response

Jack

The new hatch you put in looks great Gilly.
Now you can actually get your hand in there and see what your doing at the same time.

I put the usb port for the radio under the dash next to the 12v plug.
It could be rotated 90 degrees
It also could have gone in the dash beside the radio unit.

adding a doghouse enclosure to the console to get out of the weather.... it'll be made from aluminum (like the rest of the boat) and shouldn't be too heavy or expensive. if it ever stops snowing maybe I can at least get measurements to get started

Interesting project bobber.....something like this perhaps?
Lots of glass, good visibility. Will you be doing the fabricating yourself? You could do a mock up with cheap luan plywood to tweek the design to your liking. Good Luck

Gonna try to get my skiff into my buddy's barn at some point this winter to redo much of the oak trim. Possibly sand and paint the hull.
I'm also re-powering this winter. Already sold the Yammi 2 stroke and have a nice four stroke sitting on the stand waiting to go on.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...pse85e49c5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...pscbce7904.jpg

is it me or does that trailer look too small?

Only thing i need to do is run a AUX plug from my stereo to the console. Having no Pandora or Spotify on the boat is a PIA.