What Did You Do To Your Boat This Week?

[searun]

Just finished prepping my hull to install a Garmin GT17M-THF transducer. Decided it was time to move away from transom mounted ducer, opting for a thru hull which from all accounts is a far better application.

Its a very large hole, and was somewhat nervous to bore a 3 7/8 inch gapping hole in the hull. Started by sanding the inner hull to create a really flat area, and taking advantage of removing a prior thru hull that was there for the bait live well. Once the area was smooth and flat, I then built up several layers of gelcoat, cored the hole and then completed the job by finishing the hole with gelcoat to ensure a water tight seal. ( ie, keeping the hull water tight so that there could be no migration of water between layers of fiberglass creating a delamination)

On Monday the plan is to complete the installation - its a 2 person job to line up the transducer correctly so one of my good buds is coming over so we can get her done. Will post pics of the completed project. Here's photos of the finished hole.

 

[pescador]

Just finished prepping my hull to install a Garmin GT17M-THF transducer. Decided it was time to move away from transom mounted ducer, opting for a thru hull which from all accounts is a far better application.

Its a very large hole, and was somewhat nervous to bore a 3 7/8 inch gapping hole in the hull. Started by sanding the inner hull to create a really flat area, and taking advantage of removing a prior thru hull that was there for the bait live well. Once the area was smooth and flat, I then built up several layers of gelcoat, cored the hole and then completed the job by finishing the hole with gelcoat to ensure a water tight seal. ( ie, keeping the hull water tight so that there could be no migration of water between layers of fiberglass creating a delamination)

On Monday the plan is to complete the installation - its a 2 person job to line up the transducer correctly so one of my good buds is coming over so we can get her done. Will post pics of the completed project. Here's photos of the finished hole.

Balls of Steel man.

 

[kaelc]

Playing with my new used to me Ipad Pro and Scanstrut mount. I think I've got to flip her around but feels pretty solid.

https://amzn.to/3JWndmP #ad

 

[Rayvon]

A small table mounted to pilothouse door that can be used inside and out .Starboard w/stainless brackets that fold.Holes drilled in front to hang tackle w/ hooks.

 

[MRWood]

A small table mounted to pilothouse door that can be used inside and out .Starboard w/stainless brackets that fold.Holes drilled in front to hang tackle w/ hooks.
View attachment 122639View attachment 122640View attachment 122641

Good job . Do you have a pic of how it positions when the door is open and table out.

 

[MRWood]

View attachment 122598
Playing with my new used to me Ipad Pro and Scanstrut mount. I think I've got to flip her around but feels pretty solid.

https://amzn.to/3JWndmP #ad

Looks good. Is your iPad mirroring you Lowrance unit. Can you look at different Lowrance screens while the main screen shows something else?

 

[kaelc]

Looks good. Is your iPad mirroring you Lowrance unit. Can you look at different Lowrance screens while the main screen shows something else?

I haven’t got down that road, the iPad may be a little old to handle it well. I know it can be done

 

[islandboy]

Building gunwales:

 

[fishinforever]

Semi-annual maintenance and back in the water. Oil, impellers, t stats, rewired the riggers and sent the cuddy cushions in for renewal. Wife really wants a midberth for the kids so you guys might see the best boat I’ve ever owned come onto the market after next year

 

[searun]

Finished installing a 1 kw Garmin thru-hull transducer. It was quite a process, and not for the faint of heart considering you need to bore a large hole - 3 & 7/8 inch. Then comes the repairing the hole with gell coat, sanding preparing the curved hull to create the flattest spot possible. Repair, gell coat, repeat.

Here's pics of the before work and gell coat repair/prep, and pics of the finished install.

 

[pescador]

Finished installing a 1 kw Garmin thru-hull transducer. It was quite a process, and not for the faint of heart considering you need to bore a large hole - 3 & 7/8 inch. Then comes the repairing the hole with gell coat, sanding preparing the curved hull to create the flattest spot possible. Repair, gell coat, repeat.

Here's pics of the before work and gell coat repair/prep, and pics of the finished install.

What exactly is that white material? Is this a multi step process or just one material used?

 

[Sir Reel]

This was my install 5 years ago. Airmar B175HW
As Searun said. Not for the faint of heart. Mine was done by professionals.

 

[searun]

What exactly is that white material? Is this a multi step process or just one material used?

Great question...I will break down the process to explain.

There's a bit of a process to prepare the surface for mounting the transducer after coring the hole. Once the hole is cored, I sanded the inner and outer hull to create a flatter surface to mount the transducer. The challenge for my hull is in the mounting location the hull slightly curves to form the dead rise - therefore needed to create a flatter surface for mounting.

Following that, next was to repair the inner and outer hull gell coat with multiple coats. I also applied gell coat to the fiberglass (1 inch thick) where I drilled the core to ensure there was a water tight seal to prevent any delamination should there be any leaks.

After dry-fitting to ensure everything was lined up (its a 2 person job) we used 3M fast cure "permanent" 5200 sealant. Highly recommended you do not use removable products like sika flex. Another tricky bit - You will need to either build your own 4 1/4 inch wrench to crank down the mounting nut, or purchase one (actually 2 - one to hold the transducer, larger to turn the mounting nut.

So the white stuff is gell coat on the hull and 5200 sealant applied to the transducer.

 

[searun]

Moved onto bottom paint - not my most favorite job jar thing to do but she done. Onward and upward, next up is working on replacing the Pro-Troll that packed it in after a few rainy days. Hoping the new one they kindly sent as a warranty replacement doesn't have same water resistance issues. I'm going to build a flip up/down rain cover this time around.

 

[islandboy]

Hull assembly completed. Epoxy sealing, marine varnish, and attach components left to do.

 

[Jackp]

Finally upgraded the 6HP to a 9.9... I'm blown away at the reduction in noise/vibration and increase in performance. View attachment 122095

Did you switch to three blade prop or you bought used ?

 

[searun]

Found these really cool arm rests. They are designed to be adapted to existing seats. Fold up arms very similar to the Shockwave seats. I'm doing the prep work to modify my seat base to properly and securely mount the arm rests. Also having some foam arm rest pads built.

Here's some pics of the arm rest brackets. Once I get further along, I will post the finished product. The brand name is Ditkok - attached a pic of the instruction page for reference.

 

[MRWood]

Found these really cool arm rests. They are designed to be adapted to existing seats. Fold up arms very similar to the Shockwave seats. I'm doing the prep work to modify my seat base to properly and securely mount the arm rests. Also having some foam arm rest pads built.

Here's some pics of the arm rest brackets. Once I get further along, I will post the finished product. The brand name is Ditkok - attached a pic of the instruction page for reference.

We don’t need any darn instructions

 

[Flounder_pounder]

Did you switch to three blade prop or you bought used ?

I bought new from the dealer and this is the prop it came with.

 

[Jackp]

I bought new from the dealer and this is the prop it came with.

I have the same outboard and mine come with 4 blade prop