Winter boat projects

[BigBo]

Originally Posted by bobber

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

Bobber. Saw this and thought of your project. Probably more $$ than you want to shell out though. Still a good looking unit.

http://capecod.craigslist.org/boa/4249255030.html

[Guppy]

Originally Posted by niko

is it me or does that trailer look too small?

I'd say yes, looks like the bunks are sticking out the back to make up for it,,, weak!

[Rmarsh]

I needed drink holders...used some leftover 1/2" pvc.
Picture on left is the prototype to make sure it is functional.

[Rmarsh]

I might drill some small holes to hang lures from.

I want to build a fold up bait and tackle/fillet table to go in my transom well area next.

[Rmarsh]

This will fold down when not in use. Still have to cut some slots for pliers and knife. Nice working with the PVC material, don't have to paint it.

[Sea Dangles]

Great idea,how does it stay locked in the up position?

[Rmarsh]

I'm pondering that .....I have a few ideas..maybe just use slide bolts ..Id like to lock it in down position too. .any suggestions?
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[Sea Dangles]

I don't have any suggestions other than make sure the motor will not hit the board under any circumstance when it is trimmed up.

[Rmarsh]

Installed two more rod holders for the bow area....I had always intended on putting more than the original two that are near the stern.

[Guppy]

Originally Posted by Rmarsh

Installed two more rod holders for the bow area....I had always intended on putting more than the original two that are near the stern.

She just keeps getting better,,, no the boat!

[Rmarsh]

Thanks Guppy...I christened the boat last year, after an intense effort to get her ready for the water. My budget was depleted and I was just anxious to get to use the boat. Now I am adding all the accessories to it. Waiting for my order of LED lighting for the interior to arrive.

[bobber]

Originally Posted by BigBo

Bobber. Saw this and thought of your project. Probably more $$ than you want to shell out though. Still a good looking unit.

http://capecod.craigslist.org/boa/4249255030.html

that thing loooks awesome!! I've got a new console that I want to build the house on top of.... but it'll be (hopefully) just like that.

[jasonsnova]

Well end of last season I purchased a new to me Carolina classic 25 diesel and 2nd trip out I popped the out drive due to picking up heavy mono in the props so here s the list of upgrades
New Volo penta dp-g outdrive(that one hurt the wallet)
2 new swivel rod holders
New bow roller ( cc 25's don't usually have them and I'm always afraid of dragging the anchor up side of the boat)
New led red /green bow lights
Replumb live well and add 1100gph pump from.factory these boats have a spray head set up that tends to get foamy and it uses the same pump for washdown/livewell& toilet. Gonna add a directional inlet so macs can live in it....
Then if I have $$$ left over auto pilot and trim tab indicators....
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[Mr. Sandman]

Originally Posted by jasonsnova

Well end of last season I purchased a new to me Carolina classic 25 diesel and 2nd trip out I popped the out drive due to picking up heavy mono in the props so here s the list of upgrades
New Volo penta dp-g outdrive(that one hurt the wallet)

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Hmmm. Are you sure you damaged the outdrive? It takes a lot more than mono to break that. You need to hit a rock...hard. What probably "popped" was the splined coupling sleeve which acts like a shear pin and is designed to break well before any gear or bearing. I keep a spare at home in case I need to replace it. It is not too big of a job and you can do it. (I have a DP-G as well) You have to drop the lower half of the unit and separate the upper from lower parts. Then simply remove the sheared off sleeve and replace it with a new one. It is not as bad as it sounds, just take your time.
I am very familiar with the volvos engines and outdrives and have taken mine apart and helped others with various repairs.

What I think you need is volvo part number 3852268 "splined sleeve"
cost is $47. from marinepartsexpress.com (good source for VP stuff)
If you look at the picture I took of mine, it has a scored groove in the sleeve where it will shear off. I would bet that is what happened.

If you have any questions about them send me an email.


on the other stuff...
Take it from me....the next thing on your list should be autopilot. You want that before you get anything else. It makes running a boat fun and takes a load of stress off of you esp. on long runs. I would never get a boat without one and hate going on other peoples boats where someone always has to drive. uggggggg! If you want to go offshore (or anyplace outside your harbor) then you must have autopilot. Once you get it you will ask yourself why you did not get this sooner. (Over time it will pay for itself in fuel savings , reduced driver fatigue and stress.

[Rmarsh]

The led lights that I ordered arrived from Hong Kong after five weeks.

These were so much cheaper than anywhere else I looked, so I had to see if it was too good to be true.

I bought four 20" waterproof IP65 with 30 led's per strip for $11 a piece.

Mounted them under the gunnels front and rear. Got a dimmer control hooked up to them.

Correction..these were 45 led per strip not 30

[Guppy]

"Cat boat".

Looks cool Bob

Originally Posted by Rmarsh

The led lights that I ordered arrived from Hong Kong after five weeks.

These were so much cheaper than anywhere else I looked, so I had to see if it was too good to be true.

I bought four 20" waterproof IP65 with 30 led's per strip for $11 a piece.

Mounted them under the gunnels front and rear. Got a dimmer control hooked up to them.

[Goose]

Those projects look great. Seadangles you cant do projects, sorry.
Replacing the fuse panel and removing and reenforcing the deck. Should be fun.

[Mr. Sandman]

The only problem with the inexpensive lights is...the connections. I tried them and worked great for a season but broke down at some of the connections and a couple locations along the strip itself from behind. I had them sealed with dollops of silicon but I had some problems. I replaced them all with a much heavier continuous string and while more expensive they have held up now for several years. I put the old lights inside cabin cubbies and they worked out well.

Make sure you seal the hell out of the connections 360 deg around the connection. The connecting wires are pretty thin so it does not take much for them to fail.

[Rmarsh]

The lights came with real nice male and female water proof connectors on each end, and I heat shrank all the other connections so time will tell.
These are the rigid body lights and look as well made as anything I've seen at West Marine
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[Rmarsh]

Originally Posted by bassballer

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.

Bassballer....After reading your post I downloaded Pandora to my smartphone. Plugs into the aux. jack....thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[Mr. Sandman]

Instead of wiring a aux jack consider a bluetooth receiver. The are tiny, cheap and work great on boats. (they plug into the aux port and mount anyplace. Then anyone can stream anything you want to your stereo wirelessly. An open aux jack on a CC is just a matter of time before it becomes a crusty blob that gives an intermittent connection I added one for my fusion radio and it is great...it can be buried down below in a safe spot and is about the 1" square in size, I think it was 30 bucks.

[Rmarsh]

All good points. Going to look into that , I agree that wireless would be the way to go.
thanks
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[Rmarsh]

These are the waterproof DC type connectors the led lights came with. I bought some extra connectors to make extensions.

[Mr. Sandman]

They look better than the cheap ones I had. They should hold up. The ones I had originally sucked. Moisture got in and you could hear them sizzle and eventually you could smell them cooking. They are history. Now I have a very few connections and they are much better.

You would be surprised how much abuse they see even under the gunnel. Esp when you see a buddy blasting under the gunnel with a pressure washer.

[Rmarsh]

Still a couple of months to go until boating season
Couple more things I am thinking about doing.

Add a keel guard and rubrails. No damage yet, but just a matter of time.

Make a bow dodger. I need some shade for those hot summer days when my wife comes along. It could be shelter during a sudden downpour too. I don't think I like bimini tops and a tee top is not an option for me.

Also need to buy a battery charger. Need suggestions.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by Rmarsh

The lights came with real nice male and female water proof connectors on each end, and I heat shrank all the other connections so time will tell.
These are the rigid body lights and look as well made as anything I've seen at West Marine
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What brand are they and where did you get them. Sandman, same question to you. Are they bright enough to light up all or at least most of the deck?

[Rmarsh]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

What brand are they and where did you get them. Sandman, same question to you. Are they bright enough to light up all or at least most of the deck?

Ledlightworld.com.....good prices, shipping takes a while though.
4 / 20" strips lights up an 18' cc real good.... too bright actually..added a dimmer to make it adjustable.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[MakoMike]

Thanks!