What kind of idiot...
 

Just having taken possession of a '77 23CC O/B I had occasion to take a close inspection of the hatch which covers the batteries and aft portion of the fuel tank. I had to R&R one battery and replace the battery cables on both batteries because they were under ABYC rating and were getting quite warm during start cycles.

I had thought to myself during my run-through of the boat what kind of idiot owner would cut up this hatch to put deckplates in when the hatch is hinged and swings open without obstruction. Then while I was doing my work today I noticed more closely that the hatch actually had recesses where the deckplates were and that either the boat came that way or somebody did a lot of work for what was in my view an unnecessary access.

So, I immediately headed for the pictures section of this site and sure enough... deckplates, exception on Capt. Chuck's boat. Well, what an idiot indeed that Mr. Potter was :o -- Not a nice thought for a proudly new Potter Built owner. Or, say it ain't so, maybe that idiot is ME!

Yep, I even checked the diagram in the sales literature, and low and behold... deckplates.

Well, with all due respect to Mr. Potter, what am I missing? There must be some logical explanation. And then, how do I get one like Capt. Chuck's w/o the deckplates?

Re: What kind of idiot...
 

aah yes, the ole below deck battery box with a sealed lid & pie plate access that can't be reached without uncaulking the deck plate syndrome :D
Choice 1.) MOVE THE BATTERIES UP UNDER THE CONSOLE & SEAL THE DECK HATCH

Choice 2.) GET DON HERMAN "HERMCO" REPAIR PRO & MODERATOR TO GIVE YOU SOME IDEAS

Choice 3.) AS Shown in the pictures, BUILD A GUTTER SYSTEM OUT OF PVC PIPE with DRAIN TUBES. ROUTE THE DRAIN TUBES AND "T" to THE SELF BAILS. BUILD A NEW SOLID DECK HATCH THAT IS HINGED TO THE ENGINE SPLASH WELL.

PVC Gutter
http://www.classicseacraft.com/captc...edium/0007.jpg

Drain Tubes "T" to self bails (routed out the transom)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...oordrain-1.jpg

New hinged Deck Lid
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ck/newdeck.jpg

Re: What kind of idiot...
 

aah yes, the ole below deck battery box with a sealed lid & pie plate access that can't be reached without uncaulking the deck plate trick

And he fell for it :D


Do like Chuck says and take the batteries out of the bilge away from the fuel tank and life will be better. Thats what most of us have done here. I closed up the deck plates and made that a permanent hatch on my boat. I added an armstrong hatch behind that for access to the bilge.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/DSCN4074.JPG

Strick