Holmes 14' Valco project! Edited with lots of pics!

[JMichael]

Adverse effect being it's a normally open switch. Induced water (being a conductor) could short the switch so that it's full time closed meaning the motor won't run. :mrgreen:

 

[Jdholmes]

I suppose there is a remote possibility that could happen, but all you would have to do to reopen the circuit is unplug the wires at the switch...

I really think it would be hard for that to happen though, based on the design of the switch and where it sits...but we shall see. If it was a real chance of making me stranded i would not take the chance of it failing...if I was overly concerned I suppose I could make a flap to keep water out.

But considering the total project cost of about $5 and the fact that if it fails it will be no big deal to pull the switch out (came with a spare anyway) I think it is still a good option.

 

[JMichael]

Oh I agree with you 100% and if it were me, I'd do the same thing. Some people wouldn't want to take that chance though and I was only pointing it out as a precaution. As far as making it water proof, most of the mfg buttons just have a rubber cap over them that fits over a lip at the base of the switch. If your old one is like that, you might be able to find a washer the right size and use that to hold the cap from the old switch onto the new switch.

 

[Jdholmes]

Not a bad idea...I will take a peek.

 

[Jdholmes]

Quick update...doing a little more work - got the front bow deck pretty much done. Still haven't cut hatches or added the anchor storage between the bow deck and the top of the bow.

Also wired my home rigged stop button.

 

[Jdholmes]

Oh, I also picked up some cheapo speakers that I can plug in to my iPod. They aren't powerful but they will do the trick for what I wanted. I am going to cut the base off and flush mount them into the boxes I am going to put on the sides of the rear deck.

 

[JamesM56alum]

So did you paint the boat yet ?

 

[Jdholmes]

The back of it and the inside. Waiting for a friend to help me flip it to paint the rest of the outside.

 

[TimRich]

Very nice work and in a pretty short amount of time! Keep up the great work!

 

[Jdholmes]

Progress pics...can't afford carpet right now but I am fine with the look of a wood deck right now.

Used my leftover oak plywood to make a front deck and storage areas.

Went really light with framing and it turned out fine - I used a mix of aluminum angle, 2x2 and 1x2. Seems plenty strong so far.

I am pretty low on tools so cutting and figuring it all out was fun...when it comes down to it I am happy. She isn't a show room boat, and I never intended her to be...she's a fishing boat.

Put some eyebolts in the front to hold my cooler up there and also a couple behind the middle bench for holding tackle or whatever with bungees.

Still have to make the hatch for the anchor storage area...just poking away at it bit by bit now. Small things.

 

[jasper60103]

Looks real sharp. Good work. =D>

 

[snips]

nice looking rig!

 

[Jdholmes]

Made a DiY boat hook today with PVC and a couple stainless bolts. Super quick and cheap way to get a boat hook! Total cost under $2.00.

 

[Ictalurus]

Oh, I also picked up some cheapo speakers that I can plug in to my iPod. They aren't powerful but they will do the trick for what I wanted. I am going to cut the base off and flush mount them into the boxes I am going to put on the sides of the rear deck.

JD

Love the speakers. =D> =D>

Could you point me in the direction of where you picked those up.

 

[Jdholmes]

Walmart electronics dept. - $5. They aren't real powerful at all but I just wanted something for a little background noise.

 

[JamesM56alum]

Nice looks great bro, i like the raw wood look alot i had considered it for mine but i wanted the floor covered with the anti slip and clear sealer wouldnt have worked with the anti slip.

 

[Jdholmes]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHPqQnJpYbs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Thanks, bro. Got it out of the garage and out to Lake Mead finally!

It ran like a champ and everything was ship shape - no leaks!

I stupidly hadn't tightened the plug down at first...learned that lesson...only let in a very little bit before I caught it.

Right away I need cup holders and latches for the two benches so they don't try to open when you lean backward....couple other small tweaks over the next bit...oh yeah and finally finish painting it, that would be good...

Would like to find a 20 hp eventually.

 

[JamesM56alum]

Absolutely beautiful back ground and holy hell that boat launch is huge!

yep need the latches bro it'd suck *** to lean back straight into the lake lol!

 

[Jdholmes]

Yeah man, for sure. What's funny is we couldn't launch in the actual lanes! It's way to shallow a ramp. We had to go off the side - there was another guy doing the same thing. I would have had to have the truck completely in the water before the water would get over the bunkers at all.

The marina is pretty big, but pretty dead as far as traffic right now. Beautiful area and quiet right now.

We went hiking after - that's a pic of the marina below.

 

[JamesM56alum]

Amazing man, i miss the mountain ranges our family growing up had a cabin in the smokey mtns but sadly my aunt burnt it down lol