crashbuilder
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- Joined
- Sep 3, 2008
- Messages
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Hi there,
I’m new to this forum and boating in general so I hope my questions aren’t too silly.
Some Background
I live in Barbados but I’ve lots of family in the Bahamas …. I try to spend as much time there as possible. I bought a Tracker V12 back in April and had it shipped to Eleuthera. Over the Easter vacation I ran the boat for a few days and decided that tiller steering just wasn’t for me! The boat’s quite stable with two people 1 in the bow the other at the stern; but when I tried to run by myself it was absolutely scary.
On one particular day I ran about 20min down wind did a little fishing and then headed back. There was a slight breeze and light chop but I just couldn’t keep the boat on plane. I’d start to accelerate the bow would go scary high then all of a sudden I’d pop on to plane the boat would start skipping around, I’d start sliding back and forth on the bench seat while trying to keep a straight course. Needless to say, I’d lose my nerve throttle down and start the process all over again; eventually I gave up and just puttered back to the house…. It took about and hour!
Anyway I decided right then and there that at the first opportunity I’d put in a floor/sole, convert her to rotary steering and remote throttle.
Here are some pics:
https://img212.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0boatpicmt3.jpg
https://img359.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sideplanviewstc0.jpg
https://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=constructionsketchtr9.jpg
I’ll be spending 3 weeks with the boat next month and hope to do the conversion then.
Eleuthera is a small island, while there are marine supply places close by they’re expensive so I hope to order everything ahead of time.
A couple of questions:
1. It seems most people are using stainless steel screws to mount things to the hull. So I take it there are no issues with galvanic corrosion or would aluminum screws be better?
https://www.aluminumfastener.com/productsmain20.htm
2. The boat will be used once or twice a year and stored in an enclosed garage for the rest of the year. I was thinking with all that down time carpet over marine ply might be a good way to go. Easy to finish, and lots of time to dry out… any thoughts?
3. The main floor/sole area is only 3 1/2’ x 3 1/4’ will 3/4” marine ply be strong enough without bracing?
4. What do you think of my plan to keep the sole in place? I was figuring on 7-8 sheet metal screws into each bench seat. Any alternate suggestions.
5. I’m planning on doing the console in 1/2” outdoor ply, will several coats of enamel suffice or should I coat with polyester or epoxy resin first?
6. This is the steering system I’m looking at …any thoughts
https://boatstoreusa.com/productdetail.asp?urll=Teleflex_Rotary_SS-137_steering_system_(With_Wheel)&ProductID=780
7. For the throttle I want to use BRP accessories so there are no cable compatibility issues; I’ve been looking at this one part # 0174229 Anyone know if this is suitable for mounting on the right side of console? https://img214.imageshack.us/my.php?image=throttlebf6.jpg
Sorry for all the questions but any input would be greatly appreciated.
I’m new to this forum and boating in general so I hope my questions aren’t too silly.
Some Background
I live in Barbados but I’ve lots of family in the Bahamas …. I try to spend as much time there as possible. I bought a Tracker V12 back in April and had it shipped to Eleuthera. Over the Easter vacation I ran the boat for a few days and decided that tiller steering just wasn’t for me! The boat’s quite stable with two people 1 in the bow the other at the stern; but when I tried to run by myself it was absolutely scary.
On one particular day I ran about 20min down wind did a little fishing and then headed back. There was a slight breeze and light chop but I just couldn’t keep the boat on plane. I’d start to accelerate the bow would go scary high then all of a sudden I’d pop on to plane the boat would start skipping around, I’d start sliding back and forth on the bench seat while trying to keep a straight course. Needless to say, I’d lose my nerve throttle down and start the process all over again; eventually I gave up and just puttered back to the house…. It took about and hour!
Anyway I decided right then and there that at the first opportunity I’d put in a floor/sole, convert her to rotary steering and remote throttle.
Here are some pics:
https://img212.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0boatpicmt3.jpg
https://img359.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sideplanviewstc0.jpg
https://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=constructionsketchtr9.jpg
I’ll be spending 3 weeks with the boat next month and hope to do the conversion then.
Eleuthera is a small island, while there are marine supply places close by they’re expensive so I hope to order everything ahead of time.
A couple of questions:
1. It seems most people are using stainless steel screws to mount things to the hull. So I take it there are no issues with galvanic corrosion or would aluminum screws be better?
https://www.aluminumfastener.com/productsmain20.htm
2. The boat will be used once or twice a year and stored in an enclosed garage for the rest of the year. I was thinking with all that down time carpet over marine ply might be a good way to go. Easy to finish, and lots of time to dry out… any thoughts?
3. The main floor/sole area is only 3 1/2’ x 3 1/4’ will 3/4” marine ply be strong enough without bracing?
4. What do you think of my plan to keep the sole in place? I was figuring on 7-8 sheet metal screws into each bench seat. Any alternate suggestions.
5. I’m planning on doing the console in 1/2” outdoor ply, will several coats of enamel suffice or should I coat with polyester or epoxy resin first?
6. This is the steering system I’m looking at …any thoughts
https://boatstoreusa.com/productdetail.asp?urll=Teleflex_Rotary_SS-137_steering_system_(With_Wheel)&ProductID=780
7. For the throttle I want to use BRP accessories so there are no cable compatibility issues; I’ve been looking at this one part # 0174229 Anyone know if this is suitable for mounting on the right side of console? https://img214.imageshack.us/my.php?image=throttlebf6.jpg
Sorry for all the questions but any input would be greatly appreciated.