Another Caribbean Reef Runner
Well, I went and did it. After much soul searching, discussions with the very important other half, seemingly endless net research, and a general evaluation of where I wanted my life to go for what years are left, the money has gone down. Did before Xmas, in fact, but I still had some details to sort re various aspects of the build. Now that it is more or less settled, I can go public, as it where.
I can probably blame Darren253 for all this
, because it was his build thread that really got me thinking. That, and the desire to cover more sea miles than I could reasonably ask the Dominator to do in comfort. So the idea took shape, my impending 65th birthday meant I could dip into a bit of super, and here we are. The boat and trailer is on order, the outboard has been paid for. I was lucky to snag a 150 4s Mercury on the last day of the special which finished in December, at a considerable saving over the RRP. Aftergoing for a run on Darren's, the performance is much more than adequate, I can't find a single person on the net with anything but praise, and the simple low-stressed big block design should keep long-term ownership costs down. The motor will be hung by Midwest Marine, Mercury agents in Geraldton, after I have finished my instal work on everything else. The bluetooth module to enable you to record and monitor performance figures and codes on your phone was thrown in with the deal.
Currently awaiting a quote on a good electronics setup. I'm looking at Raymarine gear, consisting of a Axiom 9RVX Pro, and an Axiom 7 RV. Reason for the smaller one is that I can't quite get a 9RVX and a 9RV side by side on the dash. This will give me the ability to run a 1kw transducer with no extra modules, and the 7 will be dedicated as a chartplotter, with maybe a sidebar of engine info.
Transducer looks like being a thru-hull B175M with tilted element, as the RV-100 already has high chirp, as well as the sidescan/downscan/3D functions with the stabilisation built in. These are a transom mount, and will likely be mounted on a sliding bracket to keep it out of the wway when required. I'm also going for an autopilot, probably the Raymarine EV-100.
An electric capstan will be mounted on a removable bracket, with a stainless tipper, and, as I ended up selling my Maxwell HRC-6FF with the old boat, I'll likely go for a Lonestar GX2, as the instal on the drums on these hulls is far easier than it would have been on my old boat.
This will all be powered by a dual battery setup, with VSR and parallelling switch. A good size House electrical feed of 13.2mm2 will run to a main panel to feed all the goodies without voltage drop. The two winches will be powered separately.
As for the hull,I'm opting for the walkthrough transom, not cheap, but I've had enough of climbing over transoms. One boarding platform with underslung telescopic ladder will be fitted. The no-cost raised hardtop option is being taken up, and it will be fitted with two Bowmar hatches for ventilation. Under the passenger seat, there will be the standard storage box, but, on the helm side, I'm fitting a stainless seat support bracket to fit an icebox under. My reasoning for fitting it under the helm seat is that when you are trolling for billfish with 3 on board, the two observers will have a seat each. I'll make the box myself, fitted with a lid that can open without pulling the box out of position. The long 1440mm long underfloor space which can be opened up when you remove the little divider will do for day tripping, and the big madfish bag may become redundant. We'll see how it goes for holding ice. A large L&R Boatlatch has been scored courtesy of the Fishwrecked economy. On the subject of trailers, I have opted for a larger one than normally supplied,C-channel, as the whole weight thing would be decidedly iffy for going away, IMO--going for a 2400kg Easytow, with breakaway brakes.
All the usual hull fruit will be added, such as washdown, live bait tank, and fresh water with its own pump. LED lighting for under gunwhales has been ordered, and overhead LED worklights and an LED spotlight are being decided on. Rod holders in trolling positions will be heavy duty, with a couple of slimlines added for storage and downrigger duties. I'm sticking with the standard non-skid deck for now--my reasoning is that I'll give it a go, as retrofitting a covering won't be any harder than doing it first up. I will fit a couple of bits of Z-tread or the like on the boarding platform and walkthrough if they look slippery. But certainly no carpet. Full bunk infills for those overnighters, but no built-in toilet. After a lot of thinking, I came to the conclusion that, while they may be a winner for day tripping, they would be bloody useless for overnighting--who wants to pull the bed up to get to the dunny in the middle of the night? Our current porta-potty will continue to do duty, and at least we have a door you can close.
4.5 m outriggers are planned, still deciding on the form they will take, but a kiwi-made set by Reel Rods, hardtop mounted , has taken my fancy. I'll just need to confirm the hardtop will be strong enough.
Bennet trim tabs are being fitted by Mansfields, as is the rocket launcher ,the walk-through transom, the boat latch, and the s/sbait board. All the rest will be my work. Our place will start looking like xmas at the post office over the next month as all the orders start arriving.
I intend to do it once, and do it right.
Ricko19
Posts: 52
Date Joined: 27/05/14
Very nice
What made you go for the Reefy instead of the 2300 was it purely cost? Still looking at boats myself.
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
Be watching this with interest.
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Cost was a small factor
but the 2300 is getting up there in sheer size and weight, needs a much bigger and more expensive motor--and I still want the option of beach launching it at Winderabandi ( add more sandtracks to the shopping list) and towing it into Tamala without dramas. Also still relatively manageable for single handed operation with a drive-on trailer if I so desire.
rob90
Posts: 1526
Date Joined: 06/02/13
Wow! Sounds epic. They are
Wow! Sounds epic. They are an awsome boat those reefies and it definately sounds like your doing it rite. Cant wait to see another awsome build thread. Congrats
Hi my name is rob............. and I'm a........... fishaholic
ace rimmer
Posts: 187
Date Joined: 19/08/13
great build
great build and I doesn't sound like you have missed anything out. Just curious with the raised hardtop do they make the windscreen taller as well or do you just put some clears in to fill the gap. Is the underfloor storage area insulated as i know the old ones weren't and wouldn't hold ice well cheers Ace
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18026
Date Joined: 11/03/08
sounds like a dream come
sounds like a dream come true. hope with all this you can still catch the fish like the dominator.
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Sure hope so
it was a good fish catching machine.
With the raised hardtop they angle the windscreen forward, less slope , taller rear support and obviously taller clears at the side--but no clear infill. They have actually done that, before Caribbean started offerring the raised hardtop from the factory. I certainly don't mind having a more vertical windscreen, less sun comes in when you have the sun overhead. I did enquire about having the area around the underfloor pocket insulated from the factory, said they couldnt do it. I've done similar in another glass boat, no insulation underneath, and it was fine for day trips. I'll probably put 25mm of insulation under the lids to help a bit.
Darren253
Posts: 570
Date Joined: 23/07/16
Congratulations, apologies &
Congratulations, apologies & congratulation again!
I don’t foresee any regrets
Boyce
Posts: 230
Date Joined: 04/02/17
Sounds amazing
Sounds amazing mate
Congratulations
A true dream boat
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
Let the build begin
And the progress photos flow, well done, you are here only once make the most of it.
Jackalchub
Posts: 599
Date Joined: 10/03/12
Awesome, sounds like a
Awesome, sounds like a beast.. curious if the caribbean’s are wood free?
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Not entirely, unfortunately
The deck, stringers and frames are all synthetic. The transom is still laminated. I'd rather it not be, but the simple fact is, that if the process of drilling holes and mounting stuff is done correctly, that transom will outlast me by a long way. if you look at failures, it is always attrributable to either A) very poor build practices which were rife until the ealiy noughties, and some big names were guilty--looking at you, Haines Signature, among others..--and B) numpties drilling new holes and thinking it was fine to "seal" them with silcon or sikaflex. Your transom starts rotting, right there. Holes must be drilled oversize, expoxy forced into the woodgrain thoroughly. Allow to set, then use some kind of sealant just to stop water getting through into the boat.
gruntre69
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 15/10/16
Way to go mate! looking
Way to go mate! looking forward to reading the build thread.
I'm wondering why the can't spray some foam around the kill tank before putting the deck and hull together. It must be a space thing, I'd be asking them twice about this one. Hopefully Raymarine gets the NMEA2K data sorted soon, currently it is only available in the dashboard screens... The only data I really would like available if I had the 2nd Raymarine screen is engine trim... Possibly RPM. The sounder seems to be pretty good though...
I love the auto pilot addition.... Luxury!
Marine trimmer NOR (available for clears, tops, carpet, upholstery, custom equipment covers)
Darren253
Posts: 570
Date Joined: 23/07/16
I use the autopilot on my
I use the autopilot on my simrad (Lowrance kit) 85% of the time out currently. Not actually as autopilot but in heading hold mode. It’s so nice to be able to set a course and only worry about keeping a lookout for objects/other boats than have to focus on holding your course too. Even in some funky weather it holds it own.
Just adjust it by 1 or 10deg intervals on the sidebar. Also great for setting trawling patterns/zig zags up North.
I’ll probably save more than the $1200 in fuel by driving in straight lines
Videos like the one from earlier in the week show how dangerous it could be if mis-used without keeping watch.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Used correctly, they are a godsend.
You just need to keep a lookout. My primary goal is for setting up trolling patterns, and heading out to places over the horizon. Very easy to wander all over the place on a long run if you don't have a visual reference point to head for. Not cheap, but I think it just finishes it off-it was the last thing I decided on.
I did push for some two-pack foam, surely it can't be that hard? But apparently the glass moulding for the underdeck is bogged in between the two main stringers, with only a very small space below to allow water from further forward through, and there just isn't any room for the amount of foam which would make a difference. They have a low deck, in the interests of stability, which means that there is actually no useable depth below the deck either side of the fuel tank to fit anything in. Most of the aft half under the deck is taken up with the 225l fuel tank.
Chinbald
Posts: 317
Date Joined: 21/02/09
Love the Reefy
Look forward to the coming reports and seeing her on the water.
Jackfrost80
Posts: 8144
Date Joined: 07/05/12
Sounds like a dream coming
Sounds like a dream coming true. Can't wait to see the pics
Officially off the Pies bandwagon
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Ebay has copped a flogging
or has ebay given me a flogging? Either way, I've been assembling all the little bits and pieces that add up, particularly if you have to keep raiding the stainless section at the local hardware. I did a fair bit of research on deckwash pumps, and the only one that seems to have any longevity is Shurflow. Pretty expensive over here. Looked in the US, usual story, postage makes up most of the difference. Until I kept looking and found a better deal. Went back today to buy it, $30 cheaper than yesterday. Win. Liitle bits add up.
No little bits in the electronics. I have accepted a quote which has blown out the original overall project price, more or less as I detailed above, just with the addition of an external GPS aerial, as the hardtop will probably interfere with flush-mounted units. When you look at the overall cost of the project, only maybe 2 grand is being spent on overseas vendors, the bulk of it is still being spent locally. I'm putting in a shopping list with John at Max Marine in Geraldton for some items, as they need to be right.
I decided to go with a Tuffwinch 240HC. They are the equivilent size to a Lonestar GX3, with 300mm drum and 1500W motor. I did a lot of research yesterday, found pics of a Reefrunner instal on Lonestars website of the older G3 1000D, found dimension drawings,compared sizes, it should fit OK.There is a really good deal on ATM, $1600 complete with 120m of nylon double braid, chain, all control gear, backing plate, and a heavy wiring harness. I'll likely put a short, heavier topshot on the business end for abrasion resistance, and maybe some dyneema underneath to see if I can get to 150m overall.
Talking to Mansfields, the hardtop is strong enough to walk on, and mount a rack on, but the point I was thinking of mounting the riggers is the thinnnest bit, and the point loading of outriggers being quite high, it will need some reinforcing. Not a big deal, or too expensive.
Nauti Buoy
Posts: 595
Date Joined: 20/04/09
Outriggers
congrats on joining the reefie club. I wish the raised hardtop was an option when we got ours. Def get your riggers mounted on the roof if you can. I have some wishbones mounted on the sides of our cab but you lose a bit of spread with the angle that they run at. If you can get them on the roof it will allow you to run the outriggers flatter and get full use of the pole length.
If you want any info on how ours is fitted out send me a PM. Coby fitted ours out.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Cheers for that
There is a good video on Youtube about these particular riggers. can't post a link on this work computer, I'll fire mine up and post it later.
PM sent
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Here is a link to it
www.youtube.com/watch
it's on a Fuglycraft, but you get the idea
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Custom switch panel ordered
This has been doing my head in, standard panel only has 6. With all the stuff I want switched, i came up with the need for 12. Looked at a lot of options, and decided to build my own. I have access to s/s sheet--tried buffing it, came up a mirror finish. So i spent a couple of hours today marking it and drilling carefully to avoid distortion. Settled on the type of switch, was just about to order the components. Did another check, and realised I had missed the wipers! and really had wanted one more than 12 anyway, and that settled it. So back to the US site I had been looking at before. newwiremarine.com/custom-marine-switch-panels/ And ordered a 16 hole panel, carbon fibre look, and switches. It was going to cost me about $100 to build my own anyway. so the two spares can be these two
newwiremarine.com/product/low-beer-alarm-rocker-switch-contura-ii/
newwiremarine.com/product/deploy-gatling-rocker-switch-contura-ii/
gruntre69
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 15/10/16
Great web site!
Great web site!
Marine trimmer NOR (available for clears, tops, carpet, upholstery, custom equipment covers)
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Remote control spotlight ordered
Something else to agonise over. Budget is not unlimited, but I feel you have to be very selective about how you save money. I wouldn't trust an ebay cheapie chinese job--this is something which has to be reliable. For the same reason, won't have a wireless remote controlled one. Thought about a couple of fixed LED's, just not comfortable with the idea. Lights need to work on the plane AND at rest, so fixed is difficult and you will always have the glare off the bow issue as you have with any hardtop. Juggling handhelds is impossible , and I usually end up yelling at deckies who won't keep it pointed WHERE I F***G WANT IT ! So after much online research, settled on a make and model, and actually found someone in the US who will ship at a good rate. Golight G-2020. Hard wired remote with dash mounted panel. so if I want it on, I can adjust for different bow attitudes.
The goodies are building up, the tuffwinch arrived today.
The goodies tub is starting to fill, the bloke at the post office probably thinks I'm dealing drugs.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
How to fasten stuff to the insides of boats
The perennial question. People drill holes, loop cable ties, use double sided tape cable mounts--if you are lucky, you have something to drill into for a screw, but this is usually only behind a dash somewhere. What if you have the underside of gunwhales with nothing to mount to? I know the reefie has some conduit sections glassed in on one side, don't know about the other. and what about mounting a panel to put you battery switches/VSR/circuit breakers on?i've seen reefies done in aa number of ways, none of them very flash, there isn't really provision for it. Not to mention running battery cable across under the well from side to side. I've bought s/s P clips with rubber inserts in different sizes, but had no obvious way to fix them in some spots
So I saw this on THT. I actually questioned someone on the use of cable tie mounts used extensively on this big job, stuck to raw fibreglass, thinking they were double sided tape type which always eventually fall off. Not so, they are a different product, called Weld Mount, and they also have s/s studs. Looks the goods, and will solve a lot of problems in doing a really neat job.
www.weldmountsystems.com/how-it-works.php
I'm working on getting some out of the states, no local distributor nowadays.
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
Certainly looks the goods
From the videos it certainly looks the goods for securing stuff via a very strongly bonded stud to boats.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Switch panel arrived
New switch panel from New Wire marine in the US.
This will most likely be mounted in portrait mode. That tub is full, now, and it is still coming in. Electronics likely here Friday/Saturday.
sea-kem
Posts: 14972
Date Joined: 30/11/09
That's a very sexy panel,
That's a very sexy panel, I'll look at that website as I'll be looking for similar items soon with my little project. Where are you finding the hosing etc Ranmar?
Love the West!
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
If you mean the hose you can see in the pic
That's 1 1/8" for Rule bilge pumps. I got that from ebay, Whitworths also sell it. Look for metreage length lots, most places want to sell you a fixed length. It certainly pays to look around for this stuff, and I have learnt that the "ebay price" is not necessarily the cheapest. With some of these fittings, Whitworths are actually cheaper for the identical part if you can go in and pick it up yorself, and not have them mail it. I keep a lot of stuff on my watch list, and sometimes you get that notification that that item, or one like it, is on sale. So, if you are not in a hurry, it can pay off. I've picked up some really good little deals like that.
sea-kem
Posts: 14972
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Yeah cheers mate, went in
Love the West!
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
Very nice
That's a nice looking switch panel.
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
Deploying gattling, yikes
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
look out, pingers!
I really only needed 14 switches, but panels ( unless going full custom) only were in 12 or 16. "Spare" is boring, I just couldn't resist it.
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
Nice Work! Busy times coming
Nice Work! Busy times coming up for you mate!
Not sure how your hard top is set up or if you able to flush mount anytyhing on/in it? If so, might be worth getting some extra cables pulled up the tubes at the factory if thats an option?
On seperate occasions over the last year or so Ive pulled up an extra light/pwr circuits, a NMEA backbone fro GPS antenna & VHF and am now in the processing of installing a new battery/solar setup so another decent cable to get up there for the panel.
Im sure your on to it but....
•••••••• Electrical Contractor NOR ••••••••
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
I do need to get some wiring up top
There is an LED deck light each side of the canopy, and a GPS aerial to fit. Without seeing the boat, I reckon I can drill through the feet of the hardtop supports from underneath and thread some stuff up, coming out the top of the tube in a grommet. Maybe not the GPS aerial, as it will likely have a plug on it. Although I am comfortable cutting and rejoining that sort of stuff if I have to. They already have wiring for wipers, cab light and anchor light going up the front somehow, and I need to get the wiring for the remote spotlight up there somehow too. And yes, a feed for some removable solar, most likely.
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
•••••••• Electrical Contractor NOR ••••••••
Francis
Posts: 326
Date Joined: 17/06/08
Haha love that switch panel!
Haha love that switch panel! Look forward to seeing this, good luck with the fit out and enjoy !
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
The goodies are building up.
Laid it all out today. I'm still waiting on a few bits, but the bulk of it has arrived. But not the boat, Still no firm date, hoping I will know next week. Visited Mansfields' workshop on Friday to introduce myself to the shipwrights and have a chat. Their last Reefrunner had only left the day before, so I had to content myself looking at a 2300 and a 2400.
Mitch88
Posts: 181
Date Joined: 23/09/14
Looks the good ranmar
Looks the good ranmar plenty of toys.
What are you using for a fresh water outlet? I have one of the recessed showers connected to a 12v pump which works great for a wash off after a dive and shower at the islands.
Rob H
Posts: 5796
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Fresh rinse off is
Fresh rinse off is great.
Beside washing yourself off, when camping onboard a quick rinse of the deck with fresh dries in 1/4 the time of salt water
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Thats' one of the things not yet arrived
I was originally intending to build an icebox to fit under the skippers' seat, with a seat and a split lid. Maybe with the option of putting a small car fridge under there for trips. But why not just combine both ideas and build a fridge that will fit, split lid, seat cushion, no need for a slide, nothing to get rusty. It's not that hard to do, I built a 130 litre camping freezer 12/240, complete with fan blower, fibreglass, works a treat. So now I reckon I'll build one and just leave it in full time. I won't know the exact dimensions until I actually get the boat , and mount the seat frame, so it will have to wait a bit.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Progress, of sorts
Well, my new trailer is now in Perth. But it wasn't my boat that arrived on it.
it was waiting at the factory and they put the wrong reefie on it for transport west. They are now saying 7-10 days to completion, so 10-14 days until delivery.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
getting very close
Did a quick trip to Perth and halfway back on Friday, to look at the trailer and the reefie currently on it. Trailer is certainly a beast, all channel and angle, apart from the drawbar section, 2900 kg ATM, 2700 kg GTM . I was able to firm up a few ideas on mounting stuff, and discard some others. Mine is now finished, and will arrive this week.
I've added a few essentials which were lacking on the smaller boat.
No, not all that flash electronics stuff, i mean the things that really make a day on the water . Like a Travel Buddy 12v oven www.12-24voltovens.com.au/travel-buddy-12-volt-oven/ Moose is currently doing a group buy on them for a good price. and a coffee machine. alternativebrewing.com.au/product/handpresso-auto-black-e-s-e/
it will be nice waking up to an expresso at the Monties
Silver Fox
Posts: 1111
Date Joined: 19/06/14
.
There is no x in espresso...
Hate to be anal . After being in hospitality for 26 years and owning a cafe for ten ‘twas my pet hate . Awesome little machine though , got a grinder ?
Aeropress are a good unit too
My wife understands why I clean my rods n reels in the shower....
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
sorry , typo..
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18026
Date Joined: 11/03/08
this boat of yours better
this boat of yours better have extra bouyancy in it with all these extra bits and bobs. love the on board coffee machine .gunna have to see the end result.
Sandy said the coffee machine is a great idea, thanks .
.
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Finally on its way
In transit from Melbourne. I won't get to see it until next Wednesday, due to work. In the meantime, I lucked into a near-new 2.4m roll up inflatable at a good price, and a mate had a 3.3 Mariner he had no use for, so I have a tender for the offshore island trips. I'd have it deflated and stored for the trips in and out, and it's small enough to go across the hardtop if required, if leaving it anchored somewhere isnot an option.
I've also been busy on the switch panel--i've pre-wired it, with tails on one side to go direct to their fuses, and the load side to go out via a barrier strip. this makes terminations much neater, and also gives you a pint to test from without pulling the panel out. all wires are numbered, so there should be no need to pull looms apart tracing problems.
The Weldmount idea for fastenings proved to be a bust, as they won't airfreight it, and i wasn't sure it would arrive in time by surface, so I gave it a miss. :-(
Moylees Brother
Posts: 48
Date Joined: 19/02/09
Go The Travel Buddy
The best little thing since sliced bread but does like some power. Bit hard smelling pies and sausage rolls cooking though. Also does mean Ham and Cheese Croissant for breaky too. I even did Crispy chicken and Corn on the cob on Jurien run recently. Highly Recommended
Scott
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Boat is in Perth now.
Going to look at it Wednesday before flying back out to work. Hoping it will be ready for pickup when i get back in Friday week. The Rupp Revolution T-top outrigger bases turned up, things of beauty. Not so much for the Tigress outrigger poles--I noticed that some of the grub screws securing the collars had fallen out. No big deal, I thought, as I found them in the bag. But an attempt to refit them showed that the threads in the collars, in several cases, were pretty non-existent. Freighting them abck to the States for exchange will bean expensive PITA--I have contacted Tigress direct, but have not yet had a response. Disappointing.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Tigress got back to me
Just after I posted that, and seem very keen to please. After a bit of back and forward, they have offered to send replacement collars which I can fit myself, to save sending the whole shooting match back to the US. I'm happy with that.
Well, she is in Mansfields workshop, and work is progressing. The transom door has been cut out and is being faired in. That really is the biggest part of what they have to do, trim tabs after that. It will be ready to tow home when I fly back out of work end of next week.
The raised windscreen certainly makes a difference to headroom at the front, without making the rocket launcher too high to get at.
The trailer is a beast--there was another reefie in the workshop ready for delivery, so I had a chance to compare trailers--mine is 125mm C-channel frame vs the 90mm of the lighter 1999 kg job supplied, with 14" wheels and full load sharing suspension.
I caught up with Brett at Sonic Signs--he took my idea for the name and associated artwork, massaged it around a bit, and put the resultant image onto a pic of the boat. Looks great. I'll be going straight there when I pick it up, for application.
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
Looks good. I reckon your next RnR gonna be a little busy.
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Yeah, thats a given.
I'd love to think I could get all my work done and down to the outboard shop for them to hang while I was away at work next, but I may be dreaming. We'll see. Might have to pull a few late ones.
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
Awersome mate, you must be
Awersome mate, you must be hanging to get her home!
Nice vessel for the islands you got there too
•••••••• Electrical Contractor NOR ••••••••
Australiamaid
Posts: 210
Date Joined: 12/11/12
Nice
I bet u cant wait to get that wepon into the water. 1 nice looking hull ......
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Well, she's home
it was ready for pickup at 2 yesterday, looking a treat. Mansfields won't let them out until everything is spot on. Then the ute decided to shed it's ablity to display tail lights, so of course the trailer had none--that cost two hours, half an hour of mine then an hour and a half of an auto electrician who found a previously undiscovered wiring junction under the chassis, due to the chassis extension this vehicle has. Broken wire within fixed, but it was getting late. So I headed off, stayed the night at Badgingarra, then made it home for lunch. It towed well last night-checked the tire pressures this morning, pumped them up from 38 to 50 and it towed even better. Here it is at the 440.
Quick bite of lunch, and into it. The worst job is done, setting up and cutting the hole for the B175M. No room to spare behind the tank with these, you have to be spot on with such a big transducer.Instruction say to use a 95mm holesaw, "but you may need to enlarge it slightly" Yeah, right, a 97mm hole saw would've been good.:-) Did about an hour with the rasp to get it right. Then the water inlet, wetbonded that in with epoxy and expoxied the edge of the transducer hole, seal it in tomorrow.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18026
Date Joined: 11/03/08
looking sweet. you gotta get
looking sweet. you gotta get it in the briney and blood the deck and mess up all that white, biy glarey to look at
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Australiamaid
Posts: 210
Date Joined: 12/11/12
Oh yer
Thats looking very sexy .
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Not looking too sexy topsides ATM
I'll get some pics tomorrow, been up to my neck in fibreglass cutting and drilling. Drilled the through hull holes for the B175M and the water intake yesterday. .Finished the transducer installation today, very tight with the tiny gap betwen the back of the tank and the transom. Then drilled and treated all the coaming holes for six rod holders and four cup/sinker/jig holders so I wouldn't be dodging wiring when I drilled them. Plumbing was done before batteries so I could be sure of how I am going to mount the battery boxes and switches. Mostly done, a bit of finishing off plumbing in the morning then the batteries and switches, followed by wiring then the big electronics job. It has to be seaworthy by lunchtime Wednesday so I can tow it back to Geraldton to have the outboard hung while I am out at work.
Another couple of days off would be nice
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Booked an extra day off
Did a bit of a cleanup after that, getting ready for dash wiring and electronics instal tomorrow. Plumbing is finally finished, battery gear mostly done, just waiting on a couple of lugs I was short. I've devised a drop-down battery switch board--Reefies are awkward in that respect, no natural place to fit battery switches and VSR, so I did a bit of lateral thinking. I'll post up pics tomorrow when I get the last lugs and finish it off. Mansfield's shipwrights put me onto this synthetic board they are using a lot--it's not starboard, but a soft board with gloss surface. Easy to work with wood working tools, you can use a router on it, run a bullnose around the cut edges, and if you scuff the back up and use sikaflex it sticks like the proverbial to flocoat, making it great for mounting stuff where you can't or don't want to screw into substrate. I even made a mounting for the fuel filter today--You can tap a thread into it, so I drilled and tapped for M8, rebated the back to recess the bolt heads, then araldited them in, making a solid stud. Now I can just sika it to the transom for the filter
Australiamaid
Posts: 210
Date Joined: 12/11/12
Busy times
Wow looks like you have been extremely busy, it will be worth it in the end with tons of personal satisfaction as well. Looking good!
Rick
Posts: 1112
Date Joined: 22/12/06
Dream
This is going to be a dream boat, without a doubt.
I dont think I could cut so many holes, would have to pay someone i think haha
Great thread cant wait to see this beast completed
PGFC Member
Darren253
Posts: 570
Date Joined: 23/07/16
Looking good!
Come on Ranmar, show us your tranny pics...
I get all sorts of strange results when I google searched images of "tight fitting trannies"
Greg_B
Posts: 40
Date Joined: 26/05/15
Starboard Alternative
Hey mate,
Whats the name of the alternative to starboard?
Cheers Greg
Rob H
Posts: 5796
Date Joined: 18/01/12
My question also!
My question also!
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
z00m
Posts: 1086
Date Joined: 10/05/14
PVC Foam Board
It looks like PVC foam board but the 'tapping of holes' has me thrown. Would have to see the edges where it's cut to see if it looks like bubbles or if solid.
gruntre69
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 15/10/16
Yes, that compressed foam
Yes, that compressed foam has a nice hard surface but it is shit for screwing into and would not tap.
I accessed some Starboard Equivenant recently called Seaboard but it is really expensive and by the sheet.
Marine trimmer NOR (available for clears, tops, carpet, upholstery, custom equipment covers)
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
no bubbles on a cut edge
it has a coarse edge when you cut or plane--I'd have to describe it as looking like a cut edge of MDF. It takes a power planer well, I've been cutting with a handsaw and cleaning up with a plane.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
I don't know its proper name.
Shipwrights referred to it as blue board ( due to the blue protectve sheet), or softboard? I'll have to find out. Nothing sticks to starboard, which can be a problem. Starboard gives a cleaner edge when you cut and work it. I've got some starboard to run between the bow roller and the anchor winch to protect the foredeck from chain.
Dry fitted the electronics in the dash today, everything fits, spent all afternoon hooking up that switch panel to the fuse blocks and barrier strips. Got some stuff terminated, connect up a few more things first thing tomorrow and get it seaworthy enough for a sea trial. All my terminations have been heat shrunk,but my heat gun blew up in my face late this afternoon, frightened the crap out of me. Had to finish off using the tiny flame on my gas soldering iron.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18026
Date Joined: 11/03/08
starting to look like the
starting to look like the beast its going to be. bet you wouldnt do this again, looks like some major headachs
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
labour of love
i've actually really been looking forward to the fitout. But the late delivery has put time pressure on me,: I had planned to stretch it over a couple of R&R's, but need to have that motor on and running by the end of next week, so I had to go hard. I'd really been planning every aspect of it, so i only had to deal with a few unknowns as I went. Only got back from Geraldton a half hour ago, worked on it until 1.30 then hooked up and went. It's now sitting in the Merc dealers shed.
When I get it home on friday week, it'll be ready for sea trials. I'll then take it home and finish it off between fishing. These hulls are built solid. Just have a look at the cutouts. the first one is the thinnest bit of coaming I cut out for rod holders
The next pic is the transducer cutout hard up against the transom. i've seen crayboats thinner than this.
This is my drop-down battery switch panel. Drops from under the outboard well.
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
Nice work mate. Coming along
Nice work mate. Coming along nicely. Look forward to seeing the finished product, especially performance numbers with the Merc and your sounder readings.
You’ve defiantely saved yourself a shitload of $$ in labour doing the fit out yourself, and you know it’s all done properly.
Are you going to tow her into Ningaloo or launch at Coral a Bay and run up?
•••••••• Electrical Contractor NOR ••••••••
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
I'll tow into Ningaloo
One reason for the big upgrade on the trailer. I'll just need to buy a few extra sand tracks
I hadn't finished off the panel or the board with everything mounted on it inside the cab, I'll post pics when it is finished.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Seatrials finally done
They were meant to be done last Friday, but they were running late due to a small matter of the wiring loom ordered being too short
. it was running in the yard Friday afternoon, but it was getting late, so I agreed to take it home and he would come up Monday morning. Then he couldn't come, so i did it myself. School holidays aren't the best time to be doing top speed runs in the river, especially if you are restricting yourself the the short stretch above the pens, you run out of room very quickly. So this is what vesselview Mobile showed on my phone.
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
Looks bloody awesome.
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
Brock O
Posts: 3224
Date Joined: 11/01/08
Congrats Rammer...bloody
Congrats Rammer...bloody great build and info thread.
Look forward to more updates and seeing what it catches.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
For Darren
B175M installation. this is really at the max size you can fit in there. I had to keep the bronze bits away from the alloy tank, obviously, so I fudged it towards the transom, which made it really hard. I had to shape the big spacer to get it snug and square when the locknut and washers were on , spent hours on my stomach with my nose up against it.
But it doesn't leak, as far as I can see.
hard to get a picture of that area as there is always something in the way.
Dash is more or less complete, stereo not hooked up yet, and the ugly hole on the side is where the drum winch circuit breaker will fit.
I had the Seastar recessed helm fitted, which moves the wheel about 50mm closer to the dash, more room when you want to stand at the wheel.
I had another go at a WOT run early this morning in stealth mode in the river, according to VVM I peaked at 38.5 knots and 5450. So the dealer has ordered me a 16P, should sort that.
BradB1775
Posts: 23
Date Joined: 03/04/19
Dash dimensions
Hi, nice rig
Could you tell the dash dimensions please? Also what size Axiom have you fitted? Thanks
I.m getting my RR in August:)
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
dash measurements
From one side of the MFDs to the other, 520mm . This is about as wide as you can mount anything, taking into account the thickness of the side walls. From the top of the highest display to the actual bottom of the dash panel, 445mm.
The larger display is an Axiom 9 Pro, with the Hybrid Touch display, the smaller one is an Axiom 7. I could have fitted two Axiom 9's, but the extra width of the Pro, with the control panel down the side, meant I had to go Pro 9 and basic 7. I didn't really want a 12, as A) I don't like split screen MFD's much, and b) anything I needed to access along the bottom of a 12" screen would have meant reaching through the wheel.
Great boat, in love with mine, off the the Monties end of the week, and the two of us will be camping on board.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Video of this mornings run.
vimeo.com/266246883
Silver Fox
Posts: 1111
Date Joined: 19/06/14
Nice rig
Do you think it’s wise to put it out on public domain you doing 38 plus knots in an 8 knot zone with your full name on display ? . DOT would have a field day if they saw this .
My wife understands why I clean my rods n reels in the shower....
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
YOLO
We normally do that sort of thing north of the pens, but, at that speed , you run out of navigable water really quickly.
Rob H
Posts: 5796
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Definitely better to change
Definitely better to change props, the closer to max revs at full load the better.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Real sea trial in the morning
forecast for here is good early, going around onshore but not strong. So I'll combine a seatrial with a bit of fishing. 14.7 x16P Enertia fitted, RV-100 transducer fitted, trim tabs now working--the control switch was faulty out of the box. See if we can get some blood on the deck.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18026
Date Joined: 11/03/08
Looking good so far be
Looking good so far be better with the blood on deck rho. Sounds like a bit of work to do yet
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
First blood
Very first fish on board, 79cm Pink. Nothing else of note though, it's pretty crook when you can float down freshly caught scalies on strong fish showings and not get a touch. Apparently there was a local comp today, some dhu were weighed in from outside, but I stayed inside.
It was really more of an extended seatrial than a serious fishing trip, just chucked some gear on board last night. The new, smaller prop is a disappointment, same revs but 2 knots slower. I want the old one back. 3700 rpm at sea saw 24 knots at 1 litre per nautical mile. The Axiom gear is pretty impressive, and the autopilot is awesome. I had some random bad interference which proved to be unsecured transducer cables falling down onto the autopilot drive motor. The picture at speed is not at all clear on the through hull B175M, but the sea, while having no wind on it, was a little lumpy due to a westerly further outside. I did some adjusting , got a beautiful picture at trolling speed on straight sonar. Took lots of screen shots, I'll get them off the card and put them up in the Raymarine section. I didn't spend much time on the 3-D, because I was on pretty flat bottom and I need to read the manual up.
The under deck storage area with the divider removed is massive, but, due to not being insulated, will only be good for day tripping with crushed ice, blocks might go 2 or 3.
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18026
Date Joined: 11/03/08
Not a bad way to blood the
Not a bad way to blood the deck. Pity it wasnt the best weather at least you got out there and gave it a go. Nearest water for me atm is 400 clicks. When i get home i will be fitting the axium 9" in my tub so hope i can get it right . But yeah i think reading up about the dif settings is going to be a must. Looking forward to testing out the 3d myself
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
gruntre69
Posts: 533
Date Joined: 15/10/16
Very interesting reading
Very interesting reading about the prop change. I only get 5300 WOT RPM out of my enertia 17P on the 575 cruisecraft with the same motor at best trim. I always thought it was over propped and needed to go down to a 16 or even a 15. Impressive figures though for a bigger hull. I get about 1.05 litres per NM at about 3500 RPM. I was thinking it would improve a little with the smaller prop but now after reading your testing I have my doubts.
Marine trimmer NOR (available for clears, tops, carpet, upholstery, custom equipment covers)
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
I got back to the fitting dealer this morning
He got me to put everything I'd done so far in an email so he could relay it to his "prop guy" ( whoever that is.) I'd be happy to get the 17P back, 5500 is acceptable on a 5000-5800 rpm motor, IMO. See what he comes up with. I was thinking about your results on a slightly smaller lighter hull the whole time, you mentioned it during Darrens' build thread.
had to catch up a bit on work around the house that had been neglected during the hectic build, 3 loads to the tip later and I'm back into the boat. I got the under-gunwhale LED's finished.
onto mouting the overhead lighting, GPS antenna and remote spot tomorrow.
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
Nearly there
Got the remote spotlight, external GPS, extra cabin light and overhead LED's installed. I was stumped for a while with somewhere to instal the control panel; the remote controlled spot has an actual hard-wired joystick and switch on a panel, as Icouldn't bring myself to hand over money, however little, for a chinese wireless remote model. The dash was full, and this needs to be easily accessible and mounted in the right plane. Then I realised the answer was staring me in the face--the Reefrunner hardtop has a good void running across the front , probably for reinforcing where it mounts on the screen, but also useful for running wiring across. Getting it up there is another matter, but I'll come to that later.
And this is the finished job. I put a short piece of the stuff off the end to keep the wiring tight against the underside.
Scanstrut s/s and rubber glands were used topside where the wiring comes through from the lights
Mooseknuckle
Posts: 110
Date Joined: 14/05/13
Oval conduit
Hey Ranmar
Love reading this build - so informative.
What is the name of the sticky-back oval conduit you used for running the cabin light wiring on the window frames and where did you get it.
Thanks