Winter Projects

[shrew]

OK, now that MOST (note I said MOST, not ALL.....so I don't want to hear it from you folks in warm weather climates ) people have all but put the boats to bed for the long winter's nap, things have gotten altogether too quiet around here.

So, let's have it. What are your plans for Winter Boat Projects?

[BDOG]

This might be a good start.

1 New stereo and speakers
2 Longer Bimini top
3 New faucet in galley

Brian

[shrew]

1) New Faucet in Galley
2) New Faucet in Head
3) Install a Fiddle on shelf in head
4) New Flooring for sole in cabin (not sure what I want to do yet)
5) Install new Throttle and cables
6) plugs wires fuel filter
7) Considering installing a new ground to the 12v bus or continue chasing ground issue

[Huddo007]

Originally Posted by shrew

OK, now that MOST (note I said MOST, not ALL.....so I don't want to hear it from you folks in warm weather climates ) people have all but put the boats to bed for the long winter's nap, things have gotten altogether too quiet around here.

So, let's have it. What are your plans for Winter Boat Projects?

Shrew - Dont care that Im in a warmer climate, I too think this place is becoming a ghoust town now that you in the Northern Hemisphere are packing away your boats, here are my summer to do's

1) Stereo - A good mate of mine does custom car audio, he is going to town on my boat in the coming weeks, we have sourced a two zone unit, this will allow my kids to listen to a movie in the cabin through the speakers and me to be on the rear deck belting out tunes at the same time, it will have wireless ipod docking with digital display at the helm and rear seats - I will post pics as I get it done

2) My TV antenna although new does not get great reception, I believe it is the cabling through the tower so will sort this out

3) I want to wall mount the LCD TV in the rear cabin

4) My rear staple and tender support will be getting upgraded

5) I plan to use the boat as much as possible and make you all jeolous of the lovely weather and hopefully keep you sain until your summer comes back and mine disapears

[biggerseagar]

Being in the battery business now I'm going for three brand new interstate batteries for the boat this spring:-)

Roger

[rens914]

clean the inside, polish the outside and applying new anti-fouling
no repair or maintainance work to be done
rens

[oldno7]

Originally Posted by biggerseagar

Being in the battery business now I'm going for three brand new interstate batteries for the boat this spring:-)

Roger

So, since you are now in the business, what batteries are you going to use?

[biggerseagar]

Why ........interstate........outrageously dependable :-)

And at cost too!!

Roger

[jamanati]

-) Replace cabin floor carpeting
-) Steering cable replacement, new steering wheel as well.
-) Some grounding issue I need to nail down and fix
-) See if I can get the icemaker repaired inexpensively
-) New TV antenna and cabling
-) New shift cable to port motor

I hope I get at least one of these done by spring!

[ccruser1]

TOO Damn cold to do anything. Worst part of that is it is going to get much worse before it even starts to get better.

Need to move out of this arctic area I guess.

[oldno7]

Originally Posted by biggerseagar

Why ........interstate........outrageously dependable :-)

And at cost too!!

Roger

I was guessing Interstate but was hoping for more battery specific details.

[biggerseagar]

I am looking into 3 group 27's deep cycle for our boat. Since it would be easier to do this instead of rewiring everything and trying to do the seperate house, engine thing.

That's the plan.

Roger

[iceman]

No projects contemplated yet. Just picked up the boat from the mechanics. The fuel burn rate was up again on my last trip out. I had this problem previously, and it stemmed from the Mercruiser Cool Fuel module, which apparently had paint on the inside when it was manufactured. I've since confirmed that was a common (or at least, not unheard of) problem for these modules during the 2005-2007 timeframe. This time the filter and screen were clear but two of the injectors were clogged.

Oh and I need to have my truck serviced, and get 6 new tires (dually) so I don't get stuck on the launch ramp. That'll set me back some $$$.

Some of the things on my wish-list, that might become projects:
1. Adding an AIS receiver
2. integrating engine monitoring with my Garmin 740S

Other than that at this point the boat is pretty dialed in. I recently unexpectedly acquired an iPad using frequent flyer miles. I decided to set this up as a backup chartplotter, in the event that the Garmin craps out while I'm in the water. I started with Navionics, a $50 download. I'll have to wait until spring to try it out, but if it works it will be a very cost effective alternative to the Garmin.

Tom

[mcoffey]

Originally Posted by biggerseagar

I am looking into 3 group 27's deep cycle for our boat.Roger

Roger, you should consider upgrading to group 31. I once stumbled into 2 brand new 31-XHD (Intersate) batteries. They are about the same size as group 27 and fit nicely into group 27 boxes if I remember correctly (I don't remmeber buying 31 boxes?).
Man, I tried with all my might to kill these things and I just could not. I had them in a small outboard fishing boat. One was wired as the starting battery, the other as the trolling motor battery. I would charge them early in the season and then ignore them all year long and even through the winter. One time I had not touched the boat for almost 2 years (and it sat with batteries in and outside in the weather). I plugged in a new gas tank and to everyones surprise, she cranked over, a bit slow but enough to start

I swear I had these things for 7 or 8 years and then the boat sat for 3 more years before trying to use again so I just scrapped them then for new group 24 batteries (since I had to pay this time I got normal ones).

They are industrial batteries (for backhoes, large trucks, etc...) so they do have the heavy lead plates like a deep cycle has. They just seem to be very tough and hard to break even if you don't take good care of them. And they have plenty of go juice to start or run anything you could throw at them.

[biggerseagar]

Mac.....yes I have given it some thought. Those 31's got 950 cca more than enough to start my little 5.0L engines but I wonder about all my 12 volt duties,frig,lights and stereo. Instead of 3 deep cycles use 2 31's. Well I guess I have 3 months to think about it.

Roger

[shrew]

I was going to say the same. The Group 27's and Group 31's are the same form factor. They use the same size battery box. I was hesitant to weigh in given Roger's profession. I like the group 31's since they typically have more amp hours. I ended up going with 2 Group 31 AGM Deep Cycles for my house, and a group 24 high CCA starting battery. However, I only have a single 496, so it makes it esy to have a dedicated starter and house setup. My biggest concern is balancing amp hour capacity and beign able to isolate the starter so even if I draw the house down I can still restart the boat.

[mcoffey]

Originally Posted by shrew

I was hesitant to weigh in given Roger's profession.

Yeah, same here. It as not like I was telling to stay away from that Intersate junk though
Haha, I use Intersatate myself so just kidding there.

It just seems the Group 31's are virtually bullet proof as far as my experience goes.

[9Ball]

Some things that are on my To-Do List: 94 Maxum 2400SCR
- relocate Battery switch
- Bigger swim Platform (maybe Next Year) [http://swimplatforms.contentpros.net.../Default.aspx]
- reupholster cockpit
- replace cockpit carpet
- fix Speedo(not working)
- Fix Throttle(Binding)
- compound and wax
- Perform "name changing ceremony"

[2900cruiser]

Oh my, the never ending winter to do list. 2002 2900 SCR
- adding Extended swim platform
- new polished stainless anchor
- changing all cabin lights to LED
- adding digital HD antenna to radar arch for new flat screen going in cabin
and I'm sure the list will grow and my pockets continue to shrink :/

[9Ball]

LOL YES my list is bigger than my wallet. but I have all winter to get as much done as I can.

Todd