2001 Ciera 2858 Flybridge Podding Project with twin Yamaha 250's

[Journi]

Alright! Looks like the project begins! I thought it was going to be 2-3 years before we had to do this but the stars are aligning and we have bought twin Yamaha 250's for the podding process. We bought a 2024 25HP Yammy as a kicker that has been great power for trolling with an independent helm. We are going to take the factory arch off. Its a nuisance and gets in the way when fishing. We will be building something custom with stainless steel. King fisher sunbrella style to replace it I think. Working on some ideas.

I'm curious to know what you guys think about kicker placement with twins? The way this boat is designed for seating arrangements causes the boat to be lop sided on the port side if people sitting on that side with the kicker when im not on plane. I was told with Twins and the hull pod extension balances it out a bit better. I was considering in installing the kicker in between the twins. I was just wondering on everyones thoughts on that?

I was also told that if I was to move tanks or batteries. Anything heavy down to the middle where the old block use to be will balance the boat better?

She goes into the shop Monday to have the arch taken off and the Big block pulled. Looks like its already found a new home as well which is nice.

Decided to send the boat to Sooke in April for the pod. Super excited about this!

 

[Journi]

Just prepped up the arch for removal. Took off speakers and light bar. Kicker is all un-rigged and ready to be pulled off. Sold my swim grid already as well for some decent money. Leg already off. Looking forward to having the big block out tomorrow! More pictures to follow. Can’t wait to create some sort of fish box under there after! Hate to have a cooler on deck or swim grid.

 

[Coyote Spooner]

This is how I’d rig it. This was a 34’ KF. Might need a custom tie bar, to make it work? It’ll be a lot better to tow without the radar arch.

 

[Journi]

This is how I’d rig it. This was a 34’ KF. Might need a custom tie bar, to make it work? It’ll be a lot better to tow without the radar arch.
View attachment 112739

Nice ! I was thinking this. Right now my kicker is on an Independent mechanical steering helm on the stern. I plan to keep it separate for now. I wont be trolling from the fly bridge. And I won’t be doing auto pilot on this set up just yet. I ended getting a really good deal on a couple of older Yammies. Because they are older I’m told I can only have one control station. But down the road when I repower I would most likely tie them all in and get autopilot.

 

[Coyote Spooner]

Nice ! I was thinking this. Right now my kicker is on an Independent mechanical steering helm on the sternView attachment 112741. I plan to keep it separate for now. I wont be trolling from the fly bridge. And I won’t be doing auto pilot on this set up just yet. I ended getting a really good deal on a couple of older Yammies. Because they are older I’m told I can only have one control station. But down the road when I repower I would most likely tie them all in and get autopilot.

I think you’ll be adding hydraulic steering, to the new Yami’s, in the cabin? If you add another hydraulic helm, where your current mechanical helm is, you can steer from either location. Have the mains as rudders. Or using mains, on a rough day. Down the road you can add autopilot, by adding the autopilot pump. This system should work for a re-power? Getting the pod right the first time is also a factor?

 

[Journi]

I think you’ll be adding hydraulic steering, to the new Yami’s, in the cabin? If you add another hydraulic helm, where your current mechanical helm is, you can steer from either location. Have the mains as rudders. Or using mains, on a rough day. Down the road you can add autopilot, by adding the autopilot pump. This system should work for a re-power? Getting the pod right the first time is also a factor?

Interesting, that make sense. I have hydraulic steering currently. Was told I may be able to use the current hydraulics on the new motors. If not then it’s $6k ish. I definitely want to make sure I do the pod right the first time for sure. You definitely sound like you know you’re ****. I’m just learning and taking professionals advice. Do you do this for a living ?

 

[Aquaholic]

This is how I’d rig it. This was a 34’ KF. Might need a custom tie bar, to make it work? It’ll be a lot better to tow without the radar arch.
View attachment 112739

What about ventilating on tight turns with the motors spaced apart so far to accommodate the kicker in the middle?

 

[Buckethead905]

You’re going to have hydraulic steering, get the autopilot now while you’re doing all the work, you won’t regret it.

 

[Coyote Spooner]

Interesting, that make sense. I have hydraulic steering currently. Was told I may be able to use the current hydraulics on the new motors. If not then it’s $6k ish. I definitely want to make sure I do the pod right the first time for sure. You definitely sound like you know you’re ****. I’m just learning and taking professionals advice. Do you do this for a living ?

No, I don’t work on boats for a living. Just my own, on various boats. I think your current hydraulic steering is cable over/hydraulic. You’ll have to convert to something like a Seastar system. Did your motors come with the rams?

 

[Coyote Spooner]

What about ventilating on tight turns with the motors spaced apart so far to accommodate the kicker in the middle?

This boat was rigged by a Yamaha dealer. So I’d assume they know what’s up? I’m definitely no expert.

 

[Journi]

What about ventilating on tight turns with the motors spaced apart so far to accommodate the kicker in the middle?

Whats ventilating?

 

[Journi]

You’re going to have hydraulic steering, get the autopilot now while you’re doing all the work, you won’t regret it.

Yea, you're right.. I'll have a chat with the shop in Port Alberni before the pod building starts and see what I can everything for now. Makes a lot of sense and the Wife and I did talk about autopilot when we first got the boat.

 

[Journi]

No, I don’t work on boats for a living. Just my own, on various boats. I think your current hydraulic steering is cable over/hydraulic. You’ll have to convert to something like a Seastar system. Did your motors come with the rams?

Good question. Not too sure. I'll dig into it all and report back!

 

[Journi]

Tonnes of great information so far. Really appreciate all of this gentlemen!

 

[Aquaholic]

Whats ventilating?

It is what many call cavitation or cavitating.

 

[Pineapple Express]

Whats ventilating?

It's when the propellers get too close the the surface of the water and lose their grip. The motor revs flare up, and the thrust is reduced. Sometimes incorrectly referred to as cavitation.

 

[Coyote Spooner]

Go fast mono hulls run multiple engines. Can’t see them doing so, if they all cavitate. It seems like mounting height, in relation to deadrise is a factor though.

 

[Journi]

Looks a little bare with the arch off. But once we get our custom work done. It should look great. Transom looked really solid. No evidence of rot that I can see. 2”1/4 thick. Have always had amazing service from Kevin who owns TNA Marine in Langley. Picked up and dropped off. Arch off, kicker off, transom assembly out, motor out and boat winterized in 5 hours.

 

[Rain City]

Looks a little bare with the arch off. But once we get our custom work done. It should look great. Transom looked really solid. No evidence of rot that I can see. 2”1/4 thick. Have always had amazing service from Kevin who owns TNA Marine in Langley. Picked up and dropped off. Arch off, kicker off, transom assembly out, motor out and boat winterized in 5 hours.
View attachment 112766View attachment 112767View attachment 112768View attachment 112769View attachment 112770View attachment 112771

Kevin is a great guy. When I had my old Maxum he always serviced and stored it. He was actually the guy that installed my stereo when I bought it new at Olympic Boat Center and he was employed there.

 

[Journi]

I was able to get connected to a gentlemen name Quinn Pearson in Sooke that does some flawless work. Great communication and just felt super confident when he was talking. Seems like everyone that hears his name knows nothing but good things to say. Boat goes to Sooke in April for a one stop shop. In the mean time he’s going to work with me in walking me through removing what I don’t need in the boat to save some labour so that he can focus on more important work that I would prefer to get done. Check out some of his past builds. Sooo sexy!