Re: Sneak Preview
 

Looks great Terry. Might even make the last hill tide this year ;) ;)

Re: Sneak Preview
 

Man I'm trying [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]. If I do the boat will still be in primer...but who cares :D

Gilly...actually the dash is S/Steel. All I did was buff the living hell out of it :eek:

The gauges are all Mercury. With the Tach being a smart gauge I won't have any thing else. The other gauge hole will be a clock or bilge alarm. The bottom hole will have the ignition key and in the top 2 smaller holes I think I will put the bilge blower switch and a light telling me the blower is on.

The steering package is from Mercury and it had a standard 3/4 inch shaft which is what most wheels are (including the old one).

Since I want to do a lot of offshore and a trip to the Bahamas a combo of some type (gps sounder) with a big screen will be on my wish list. However I want to get a feel for where I can put it, with out taking away the "Classic" look.

Re: Sneak Preview
 

Looking good, Terry. You're almost there. I love the stroker. Damn, that thing's gonna go!

Dave

Re: Sneak Preview
 

Terry,

Looks like you're on the home stretch - maybe you can make our June gathering!

On the gauges, you might want to consider adding a vacuum gauge - all the Pratt engineers I worked with that ran I/O's ran 'em to manifold vacuum (5-7"Hg min) and used to swear by those gauges. It can help you find best operating speed and also detect performance changes/impending problems. Ask Connor what he thinks about his.

With that new engine and all that power, you won't be even close to the 5" min limit and you shouldn't have any near term problems, but it would be nice to have a baseline when the engine is new. Might also help when trying to select the best prop. The 21' "Unohu" used to cruise at 20 kts at about 9" with a 260 hp Mercruiser with a Bahama's cruising load, so your boat should do a lot better than that, maybe 10-11" at cruise and probably at considerably higher speed!

Re: Sneak Preview
 

If I do make it...the boat will be bear naked.

Only one picture to show....


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...10328-1306.jpg

Re: Sneak Preview
 

Lookin' Good! How deep are the chines at the transom? Did you have any ballast aboard to simulate the windshield and hardtop? I bet removing those big fg seats took some significant weight out of it!

Re: Sneak Preview
 

Nice Terry! Bring it if you can. If not, c'mon anyways.....

Re: Sneak Preview
 

what a beast.....i want one BAD :D :D :D

Re: Sneak Preview
 

The waterline at the back was 2 inches on one side and 4 inches on the other. Not sure why? Could not leave the boat in for long since the forward thru hulls were leaking. I did not want to seal anything until after paint. Next time I will put plumbers putty on first.

If you look real close you will see a 30 gal. can on the back. I filled that up with water and moved it around to see what effect it would have on raising the water line as it moved forward...Basically none. When I moved to the 4 inch side the boat settled to approx. 3 inches ( my weight 185).

Ah yes the mystery of boat building or should I say boat re-building :D

Today I will build the battery tray in and get that out of the way. Then I should be able to fire it up :D :D

Re: Sneak Preview
 

Sounds like you're in good shape for a self-bailing deck! Those scuppers should work great!

Battery Tray
 

Well got a little more done this weekend.

Found some batteries that were the cranking power I needed and the size that would fit the area.

Brute Force AGM...same exact battery that is made by Oddessy except it only has a 2 year warranty instead of 3 and is priced accordingly.


First I made some cleats out of 3/4 marine ply and used six-ten to epoxy in.


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...CIMG0014-6.jpg

Next I used up some more of my left over wood and came up with a neat fitting tray. It will be held down by s/s tee nuts and painted to match the bilge.


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...CIMG0015-4.jpg

Now the battery's. The tight fit picture is a little deceiving, both battery's fit on the tray and do not hang over ...need to get some nylon strapping to hold them down.


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...CIMG0017-3.jpg

Moving Ahead
 

Just so no one thinks I'm slacking off here are some pictures of my progress in the last few weeks. No particular order to these just progress.


One of things I wanted to do before putting the floor down for good was to figure out a way to secure the engine cover to the floor without wood type screws. I did not have enough room to use T-Nuts, because a bulk head was in the way, plus when I notched the bulkhead for nylon nuts I still did not have access to it.

Here is my solution using s/s plates that were tapped for 10/24 threads.

Wood scored and 1/2 removed.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...CIMG0014-7.jpg

S/S Plates

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...10219-1120.jpg

Next came the floor alignment...then the epoxy and fairing compound. Now I need to tape the floor to the hull sides and do some more fairing.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...10203-1232.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...CIMG0015-5.jpg


After looking at the last two floor panels for a long time I decided that I needed more room around the engine.

Solution was to cut some access areas that will be hinged, so that when the engine box is opened I then open the panels.

Making the cleats for the cut out area.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...10413-1534.jpg

Engine sitting nicely with cutouts.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...10414-1018.jpg

Shown with cutouts opened.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...10414-1019.jpg

The look with the engine box down

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...10414-1536.jpg

Now I feel comfortable in epoxying the last two panels down and being able to work around the engine.

Wiring for the engine should being showing up in the next few days...then I get to start it... :D :D :D

Re: Moving Ahead
 

Cool idea, Terry. She's lookin good.
Dave

Re: Moving Ahead
 

Terry,
As ususal an unusual amount of forethought, innovation, and attention to detail. Can't wait to see it next week.
Fred

Start Me Up
 

Just a cell phone video...but I just couldn't help it I had to start it up.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...th_v8start.jpg

Just click the picture and it should take you to photo bucket and fire it up,...

Re: Start Me Up
 

He He your getting there Terry....That boats gonna haul A$$. Nothing like firing up the boat and your self at the same time :D

strick

Re: Start Me Up
 

SAHWHEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Start Me Up
 

Did I hear a little lope?? :D

Re: Start Me Up
 

Awesome to see you bringing that old girl back to life. and shes going to be quite a runner too! good work.

Re: Start Me Up
 

Wow! You're on fire.
Great idea with the hinging access on the motor sides. That's will be sweet.
Just flipped through your 400 fotos...
you been busy... :cool:

Re: Start Me Up
 

Thanks guys for all the support.

Oh by the way the Smart Gauge said I was burning 1.2 gallons per hour at 620 rpm.

Heck at that rate I can afford to run her all day long :D :D :D

342 feet but who's counting!
 

Well things are coming together.

Started out doing the wiring and found out that I have used 342 feet of marine wire...can you believe that. Thats not counting the wiring installed by the dealer for the smart gauge and tilt trim.

Everything has been pulled to the dash area and will stay there until after paint. No need to do dash panel right away since I can hook up the smart gauge and have all pertinent information.

Next on the list is to do a sea trial next week (if I get the props in). Or install trim tabs while waiting for the props.

It starts off simple

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...10416-1630.jpg

Out of Control


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...10509-1230.jpg



Part of the 342


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...10513-1215.jpg

View thru access panel


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...10508-1322.jpg

Labeling

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...10513-1653.jpg

Looking much better

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...10513-1650.jpg



Full Transom View

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...10513-1654.jpg

Now if the stupid love bugs will stay away I can get some more fairing done.

Re: 342 feet but who's counting!
 

If I may ask a stupid question, what are the 3 things on the bottom in the first pic?? 2 reds and a black.

Re: 342 feet but who's counting!
 

Terry,
The wiring is looking Great!

Floorboy,
The black thing is a Starting Isolator with an integrated Automatic Charging Relay. The SI helps keep your electronics from getting fried when starting your motor.

It works in tandem with that battery switch to run batteries independently of one another while charging them simultaneously and governing the charge returned to each battery by the alternator thus they don't overcharge.

One battery can be dedicated to start motor the other dedicated to providing power to your electronics (house battery). When "on," both are on, but battery 1 can't suck the life out of battery 2 or vice versa. Keeps you from draining your batteries if you left the tunes on all day or whatever. If a battery system fails or drains, you can still "combine" the circuits drawing from the good battery to pick up the slack. The red things are Maxi Fuses to keep those cables from cooking anything.

Blue Sea Systems is doing some cool stuff. Their on line catalog is a wealth of information and their tech dept. is one of the best groups I've had the pleasure to talk to. Here is some info:

http://bluesea.com/category/2/productline/overview/329

http://bluesea.com/category/5/21/pro...e/overview/127


ps Congrats to Saugeye on getting Entourage, very cool to have a couple of Sceptres up there.

Re: 342 feet but who's counting!
 

Gilly, I agree on the Blue Sea Systems, I thought they had much higher quality than some of the other "made in china" stuff out there. I went with the same ACR set up as you did for may starting and house battery and am very happy with it. I did add one more 27 series deep cycle battery that runs only one thing.....my automatic back up bilge pump. It's charged with it's own on board automatic charger as a completly independant system. Not sure how long a 27 series deep cycle will operate a bilge pump, but I know if I see water pumping out the port side of the boat I have issues with my main pump which pumps out the starboard. I don't want to talk about if I see water pumping out both sides.

Re: 342 feet but who's counting!
 

OK thanks, I figured it was something like that. I have something similar in my boat but I forget the brand. (bps???)

Saugeye is pretty excited, he has been fishing out of a 17 footer since forever. This should be quite a change for him. :)

I feel for you out of control pic..... ;)

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...acraft/111.jpg

Re: 342 feet but who's counting!
 

YIKES ! :eek:

Re: 342 feet but who's counting!
 

Great job, Terry. I'm getting excited for you! :D Can't wait to see it in action.

Volvo Trim Blades
 

The thing that is so great on this sight is the sharing everyone does.

Example: Ask for prop advise and information comes flowing in...plus if anyone has an extra prop they are willing to loan out. In my case 76red18 and blue heron. BH had a prop that he sent out and now I am waiting for the UPS man to show.

Anyway while waiting I thought what a good time to get my Trim Blades installed.

Over the past years I have Bennett hydraulic and Lenco electric SS/tabs. Both worked well. However when I saw the review on the Volvo Tabs, I thought why not. The main reason is I just don't like the big SS/tabs hanging out the back. Never seem like a clean install (that's just me AR).

Anyway the Volvo tabs where pretty basic to install and instructions where easy to follow. Nice templates and wiring . Control panel is easy to use after getting to know there sequence. Plus they have an option that you can hook up to your gps that automatically adjusts the tabs as you are running.




The Packaging

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...Trader/tb1.jpg

Template

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...Trader/tb2.jpg

Before drilling holes this is a must have tool...You have to be at right angles to your transom or nothing will be fit right. With 11 holes per side being off a little is not an option.

The drill Jig

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...Trader/tb4.jpg

Holes to go

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...Trader/tb3.jpg

Installed

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...Trader/tb5.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...Trader/tb6.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...Trader/tb7.jpg

Contoll Panel and Dash

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...Trader/tb8.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...Trader/tb9.jpg

The back end all buttoned up and ready to go.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...rader/tb10.jpg

Hopefully the testing on the prop will happen sometime this week...If not after the holiday. No way I am going to be on the water in a Stealth Boat with all the FWP out this weekend. :D

Re: Volvo Trim Blades
 

Did they calibrate? They are great on the boats ;)

Re: Volvo Trim Blades
 

Yep! On the first try.

Re: Volvo Trim Blades
 

NICE :cool: I had one sticking at first. I love them. They level the boat with ease. They hook up the bow of the 23 in chop too. All that and the indicator switch too....enjoy.

Re: Volvo Trim Blades
 

what did those run you?

Re: Volvo Trim Blades
 

They will stick if the surface they are mounted on is not PERFECT (I actaully had fiberglass backing plates made for mine) , and they should be tightened doen from the center-out. I calibrate mine at the beginning of each season just to be sure. I think you hold down the up and down arrow, apply power and keep the buttons down for ten seconds? then they extend all the way out, and all the way back in automatically and you are ready to go. I am going on three years with no issues after the inital install. they work great on my 27, they must really be sensitive on a 23 or a 21, i paid about 600 bucks for mine.

Re: Volvo Trim Blades
 

Forgive me I have never seen the ql tabs before........

How is it they are suppose to be more efficient? Seems to me like they would catch more water sticking straight down like that????

I really like the sleek design of them and if they are in fact the cats !@@# I will probably put a set on when I redo the transom. I just dont understand, which is the case more than not anymore.... :D

Re: Volvo Trim Blades
 

I bought them from fore and aft marine.

$619.00

I will post more on them later but let me tell you this, when I tried them yesterday and I was just seeing how they worked, I hit the port side down at speed and almost threw my buddy out of the boat. YOU DON'T NEED MUCH ON A 21 :D

Re: Volvo Trim Blades
 

Ditto on Floorboys comment. I know there must be a good answer, but I can't see how these tabs get around creating excess drag and and drag inducing turbulence . Anybody know?

Re: Volvo Trim Blades
 

I haven't installed the ql tabs, but I did a bunch of research into the concept of an interceptor plate (which is what they are) and have installed static interceptor plates on a hull I built. From what I have read, plates are in theory more efficient than a tab because they don't have the drag associated with the surface of the tab and for the amount to projection there isn't "turbulance". If they aren't more efficient they sure aren't much less. They don't actually need to engage the water all that much and the amount of throw compared to a tab is small. On my boat the water comes off the edge nice and clean.

People sure don't ever complain about the performance and they sure are a nice clean look on a classic like the 21.

Re: Volvo Trim Blades
 

Hi Islandtrader;

Looks like you will need to move your bunks over to the top of the first step. If you leave the trailer as is one day you will damage the tabs or your boat.

That is the only downfall I see in the QL system if you run over something while running or you don’t deal with a trailer boat bunks or if you use a fork lift to put the boat in dry storage you could catch it and damage the boat.

What I like about them is their low profile on the transom especially if a guy wants to put a bracket on a outboard.

The wedge or what the old timers also called a shingle approach of tabbing a boat has been around for a very long time. When the old timers built a boat and ran it for the first time they would bring different diameter lengths of rope with them. They would tie each size rope down under the boat close to the transom to add a lip to the transom to determine what would be the optimum trim. Then they would go back to the shop and build a wedge / shingle to the transom based on their test results. Now 60 or more years later we have the QL system.




FellowShip

………………………….

Just for the Grins :D

Official 23’ SF Antique Classic SeaCraft Owner

Re: Volvo Trim Blades
 

Did you notice my little sign above the trim blades [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Most likely I will either move the bunks forward, or I will just cut them off.

Fortunately the boat will be lift kept most of the time and the lift bunks are one step in.