Harley 42'

[Swamplizard]

hi guys...the swamplizard is back in the water with closed cooled merc 330hp 454s. Have not been on plane yet but runs well at trawler speeds. Nice to be back on the water.
anyone have any of the following for an old Harley?

prop adapter to go from 19 spline to merc off the shelf props?

trim tabs

teleflex cables in the 30 foot range - need 2

cheers all

swamp

[pizzacutter]

swamp, congrats! hope it keeps getting better with use. cant help with any parts. cables can be got online pretty cheap. I use volvo cables, they are same. Trim tabs are pricy to get real k planes. bout $1,800 discounted, I am always fightin corrosion with tabs when other metals are Ok. anybody else? I used some thickended west system epoxy to fix cancer in my tabs and it has held up over a year, I know your tabs are too far gone for that.
have not had a lot of time for using boat but is runnin good. did 2 offshore trips in sept 60 miles each way. ran great and came home 38knt on nice day. Moving boat to Chesapeake bay next week for end of season big crabs. the bay is gorgeous in the fall.
Anybody heard if they removed the yanmars and arnesons for martins harley in favor of O/B's? If that is takin place I would be interested to see final product. Anybody else boating? Steve you been towing lately? I just bought 6 new samson F rating tires (3555lb each @ 95psi). Hope they will hold up better.

[Steve H]

Swamp= I think the only one who makes those adapters in Arneson, and the're not cheap. I still think you should make these props I sent you before fit. Your 454s just might turn em good enough to get you on plane.

Pizza= No I haven't been on any road trips since I got back from AZ. I meant to get up to the Puget Sound, but I have been too busy with work. I am planning to leave the boat in Illwaco, WA soon for the Dungeness, as long as the weather cooperates. I finally pulled the trigger on a new chart plotter. It is a Garmin 5212, with a 12" screen for these old eyes. So I have to purchase all new gauges of course and redesign the layout. I just got started on it today. I'll post some pictures when I'm finished. Other than that things are pretty quiet around here.

Steve

[Dreamchaser69]

Hey there guys - I'm BACCCKKKKK!

Work took a turn for the busy and traveling all over plus picked up a new gig with new restaurants coming in 4 states. Check them out at www.hurricanewings.com I bought the rights to Central Florida, GA, AL and MN.

So the boat is now going back on work schedule and I set a time for the end of March to get her in the water. Many blessings by taking her apart - saved me so much trouble in the future. rebuild on the Merlins is going to come in around $3,000 ea - not to bad. They are back to factory spec with a few tweaks. Ended up stripping out the bilge - moving the gen to the port rear - took out the 20gal water heater, stripped out all the hoses and electrical - what a task - but will be worth it in the long run.

I hope that everyone has a great holiday season and I'll post some pics when I get some updates for you.

PS - I LOVE dungeness crab - just can't find it GA very often!

[Steve H]

Hello Everyone,

I finally got started on the plotter install. Sorry for the low quality picture, I only had my phone at the time. I laminated 1/8" carbon fiber to a sheet of 14g aluminum for the panel using west systems epoxy. Then I coated it with one coat of West Systems using their special hardener for clear applications. Then sanded it flat and top coated it with automotive clear. It turned out very nice. I'm using all Livorsi "Industrial Series" gauges. They are very nice for the price.
Now I have removed the switch panel and the old plotter, labeled all the wires, and trying to decide how I want the switches,trim indicator, fuel flow display, and of course the drink holders arranged on the new panel. This panel will be constructed with a thin sheet of carbon fiber laminated on a 3/16" sheet of poly carbonate, that will also be laminated to a 14g sheet of aluminum. This will allow the switch labels to be engraved in the carbon fiber and back lit with red LED lights.
I will keep you posted on the project. It will take me awhile, as I'm trying to clean up some of the original Harley wiring under the helm. I've always hated looking under there. It won't be perfect looking, but much better!


That's all I got.

Your turn

Steve

[pizzacutter]

Steve, awesome work on electronics. I am due for an upgrade and will be watchin your work. Do you hav a "before" pic of dash. I have some ideas to change up dash and it sure makes room for a big screen. Looks like all electronics will be packaged in 1 big screen in future, I wanna be able to go to that format. I know tom mentioned a similar 1 screen package for guages, anybody know much about that? I finally got the Livorsi auto-cal fuel guages to work. Had to buy livorsi senders and guages. I am in garage doing the fuel gauges, and misc. service. Thinkin about skipping florida again this year for another list of upgrades, but not as much as last year (hopefuly). Want to be in top shape for 2012/2013 season in florida-hoping to be in bahamas and keys a lot. Girfriend has left for the winter, I be going to Florida 1 week a month. We took 17' mako down last month and her 24' scout is there too, so I can be boating. Swamp, I be there 12-1. Will stop by, where is your boat? Tom, wishing you luck, stay in touch, good luck w/restaurants. Anybody know if martin's 46' harley is being modified to outboards?

[Steve H]

Pic of old panel

[Steve H]

A pic of the lower switch panel after the first coat of clear epoxy. I'm taking it to the boat for the first fit with all the gauges. Will drill the mount holes and such, then off to the engravers.

[pizzacutter]

Nice job on dash so far. I been under my dash a bunch with the fuel gauges and all, House keeping is definately in order! I am already lookin at elctronics. Whart is your big garmin model stevee?
I am also finally caving into a possible hard top or at least an upgraded frame for canvas top that ties to arch and covers more area. Have always wanted rounded windsheild so am researching products and cost. Be nice to do top, curtains and windshidd as one project. Looks like harley windsheilds came from american marine now owned by pompanette, they will give quote. anybody got any ideas or photos on upgraded framing for canvas top? you got nice set up steve, how you like it?

[Steve H]

Thanks Lee, At first I thought I had bitten off more than I wanted to chew, but now after I have pulled most of the unused wiring out it is starting to look a little more doable. It is still very time consuming tracing every wire to it's source. It won't be gorgeous, but much better than it is now.
I am using the Garmin 5212 chartplotter along with a new in hull transducer and fuel flow sensors. It is the biggest one I could make fit and I like the touchscreen feature.
My current top is basically an enlosed bimini with a camper back. It works awesome in poor weather. I have a small propane heater the is more than adequate most of the time, even when underway.

If you are considering a hardtop, I fumbled across this drawing on Howard's site. It is a hardtop military version of his 58' boat. It is the best looking hardtop drawing I have seen yet on a Harley. I'm sure it could be scaled to look as good on the 42'. It could be made from aluminum or composite. Either way it wouldn't weigh much if designed properly.

http://harleyboats.com/home_page_003.htm



Steve

[Dreamchaser69]

Lee and ALL,

I hope everyone has a great holiday. Nice dash Steve!

Lee, the dash and touch-screen switches that I am going to do can be found here: http://www.digitalmarinegauges.com/

Look at the sea-switch / sea-gauge / touch-screen display areas.

They can program and ship the entire system for about $5K or less. This includes the 12" monitor, 2 - 4.3" displays, 1 - 8.4" display (going in the cabin to control interior lighting, radio, monitor tank levels, outlets, fridge, etc (anything inside the cabin)), the switch interface (standard 16 function), all new senders and pickups. I will still need a few mechanical switches like the horn. If I remember the deal - it was retail about $8K but if we do a couple of boats, it will come down dramatically - so let's stay in touch on this. I can set up a conf call with them after the first of the year. Can you imagine the dash with a 12" screen and 2 smaller screens? I also found the manufacturer of the touch-screens and they can provide a few different sizes if needed.

Another beauty of this is running a couple of control wires from the sensor box in the bilge to the dash - no more bundles of wires from everything running up to the mechanicals under the dash - just 2 cables

Happy Holidays my boating friends~!

[pizzacutter]

I have done research on new curved windshield. I have quotes coming from american marine (now pompanette)-I think they built for HH back in 80's, also got qquote comin from ocean dynamics (miami) & taylormade (NY), One shop wants to use my existing frrame and modify it to a curved corvner set up. There is some savings but it cannot be re-polished due to welds. They want me to go powder coat. I hate to use a colored frame on an older boat. It does not fit the era. Would like to find an old Harley that is sitting dead with a curved windshield. Would gladly swap mine plus some $$$$ instead of putting that $$$$ into modifying mine. I have decided against hard top but will be doing all new canvas and may just upgrade the frame work. Would appreciate any canvas top photos or curved windsheild photos that anyone could post. Got all upholstry in shop now-lookin good so far. Went ahead and removed forward floor to repair my fuel gauges and do some touch up stuff. Just got my spare steering cylinder re-built and all new trim/steering hoses for O/S of tramsom. tryng to find time to get everyting back on. Props going to shop soon for minor repair and slight change to increawse RPM by bout 75. Would really like to redo dash and electronics like Stteve-hoping I can find time and $$$. Going to miami show next month to look @ electronnics. A lot of folks have good stuff to say bout the Garmin-you used yours yet steve?
Have promised girlfriend that me and harley will spend most of 12/13 winter in Fla. so I need to get all projects complete that I can while I have boat inside. Hope all is well for all-and boat projects are moving along. How bout you swamp? I be in fla. in Feb. hope to look u up. LEE

[Swamplizard]

Lee - I didnt see your message until now: I will try to take photos tonight and send them to you...hopefully I can find your email after my hard drive crashed at Xmas

[Dreamchaser69]

Lee - just got the message too! I'll run by the boat this afternoon and shoot you some pics as well. I am trying to plan to go to Miami as well - hopefully work will let me get down there. Chetco - Digital Marine Gauges = the ones I want to use are supposed to be there. I know we can get a OEM discount if we do a couple of boats at the same time. Still looks to be around 3 to 5K for the complete system with touch switches and senders, etc.

[Swamplizard]

hello guys
looking to replace canvas bimini with a hardtop mounted to my arch. Anyone done any foam core glassing and have tips?
I want it to be strong enough to walk on it but be relatively light. 87" wide by 144 ish
anyone done any drawings or seen something they liked?
lee - lets make two buddy ;-)

[pizzacutter]

Hey swamp, I been lookin at hard tops. You want light weight but want to walk on it? Hard to have both. It seems that regardless of weight you need lots of aluminum bracing for ridgidity. Bracing has weight and costs alot. I have looked at upgraded canvas with heavier frame that is integral to arch. Will share proposals when I get. One interesting product out there is www.hardtotop.com , check them out. I wanted to get a new windshield before the top sso I am workin on that now. I have discovered that the top right of my dashboard would have to be "clipped" to allow for the curved windshield (yours probably got modified by HH). I was planning on new electronics soon so I don't mind the dash job (wanna be like steve!) but it just be another f'ing boat project and time/money that I don't have.

[Swamplizard]

pizza ...feel your pain bro. I am looking into hardtop but half heartedly....want to get her running better first. Props will need tweaking since now only have 330 hp. Not sure what will work best.....keeping eye out.
otherwise it is time to name her...going with Swamp Lizard II. Can you guys post how you did your graphics...need ideas

[Swamplizard]

so got motors in and drive shafts shortened about a foot....nice to get front of the motors now. New 454s start right up and idle well....seem smoother then the 502s(which I sold on ebay to a guy in finland...small world). Had a blown trans oil cooler which was a pita to swap out did both just in case and changed trans oil twice. Couple gauges were not right so repaired them and thermos were wrong so changed those out. (closed cooling).

next week or so I will do some prop testing as soon as it is flat out on ocean. Down to 330hp so not sure if I will even be able to plane. Also I do not have trim tabs on the boat yet and do not have ventilation snorkles.....should be interesting.

hope to get rpm and gps readings up to wot documented and go from there.keep you posted...:-)if nothing else I don't want to break anything and at least enjoy her in trawler mode for a while.

be well all

swampy

[pizzacutter]

sawmp-sounding like you gettin somewhere. I keep fingers crossed for u! I be down this sunday 2-19. b @ boat show on monday. will try to look u up. Look on page #4 of forum for my transom layout, New letters are black but same font. I ran 330hp merlin diesels and 350hp cat diesels for years. I will check my notes for prop sizes. what is your tranny ratio? I would not worry bout prop vents, I notice no diff. with or w/o, although many others swear by them. trim tabs will be important though. The deeeeep vee of the harley along with the 10' 9" beam makes for some serious side to side action. Have you shopped the used market for tabs? I see some around. good luck!!

[Swamplizard]

1.53:1 remember they are gassers

[Swamplizard]

Took her out last night tried to run it on some flat water.....good news is nothing broke or overheated. Bad newsis I have a lot of prop work to do......not even close

WOT was 3400 rpm at 21 knots. Need another 1000 rpms minimum. Need to dig up last prop scans and gofrom there

Those of you with 330 HP gassers ...what props do you run and who built them for you? Can you provide name and number?

[Ron Alexander]

Swamp,

I'm still running the original carburated 454s and ASD 8s that HH installed in my 1985. Have Twin Disc 1.54:1 Transmissions. Original props were Nibral 3 blade 19 x 20 LH & RH with cup and I didn't have any issues with them. Then Steve Hixson talked me into trying his new 4 blade 19X20.5 4B props. I like them a lot better. They are quieter and smoother at crusing speed. I don't have any problem getting up on plane. Not sure where he got them, but I think it's posted several pages back on this thread. Have had them up to about 4200 RPM and there is a little more available with more trim but I hate to run those old 454s that high. I typically run about 35 MPH at about 3200 RPM. Steve can probably give you more information about these props.
Here are pics of the old 3 blade props and the new 4 blade props. Good Luck!

[Swamplizard]

Thanks Ron. Are you concerned about overloading those 454s? Shouldn't you be spinning 4800 at wot?

[Ron Alexander]

I don't know Swamp. Should I? I'm new to this and perhaps I am a little overly cautious. The engines are old. One was rebuilt in 2005 and it's in pretty good shape. I have no idea about the other one. I blew a head gasket on it last summer and there were some pretty severe signs of detonation on # 7 piston. Then I broke one of the ASD8s and if not for insurance she would still be layed up. The wife and I just like to cruse Lake Washington and venture out into Puget Sound and the islands occasionally. We're not in any hurry and 35 MPH works well for us. And with the price of gasoline, perhaps that's a little easier on the pocketbook.

[Swamplizard]

No worries Ron. Normally one sizes props based on getting to WOT. If you can't get to 5000 rpm on an engine that is supposed to spin to 5000 you may be overloading the engines accross all the revs. I have the older 454 carbed units now and I thing they are supposed to spin up to 4800. Right now I barely get to 3500 so I need to get props checked asap. Like you I am in no hurry...cruise at 30plus is great. Just don't want my 454s to grenade under the load. Cheers

[Swamplizard]

STEVE how many sets do you have left and can I try the ones that you think will bebest for me? Probably the lowest pitch ones would make themost sense for my application. Your thoughts?
Olivier

Let knowHow is everyone?

Well I finally pulled the trigger on a bow thruster. It's a LEWMAR 185TT 4.0 HP, 129 lbs thrust unit. It should be here in a couple of days. I'm looking forward to getting started on the install. Now I'll be able to get in and out of thoses tricky marinas without yelling at my inept crew! I've looked over Lee's pictures. Hopefully it will come out as clean as an install as his.

I am taking the Harley upstream through the gorge to Kennewick, WA the last week of July. Then if the boat survives the trip unhurt. I will load it on the trailer and take it up to San Juan Island in the Northern Puget Sound and leave it there for the remander of the season.

Hey swamp, how is the engine install coming? Remember I have a few sets of props for you to try when you get to that stage. I know the one set would not slide on to your prop shaft. But I bet that you could get them on with minimal mods. I think all you would have to do is slightly ream the inside of the prop or just take some emery cloth to your shafts. I have three sets of props. I;m sure at least one set would work. Those 454s need to reach at least 4400 rpms. Otherwise you are overloading them. I have a set of 18X21 3bs old style choppers that perform excellent. The only reason I swapped them out is the fact that they are noisey. I still have the 17X20.5 4bs Ellis props that won't work for me. But I think they would for you. .
As far as moving the engines back. It may or may not make much of a difference. The gas engines are not that heavy in realation to the overall weight of the boat. But it would'nt hurt anything for sure. Especially since you want more room in front of the engines for maintainence etc. Here is a pic of my engines after they were moved back to give you an idea as to the amount of room I have in the front of them.

Steve

[Steve H]

Good Morning Oliver,

I've got more props than I need! I think the set that you couldn't get to fit would be the best for your current power, I know they will fit with some effort. However; I do have some 18x21? old style high rake choppers that would work too. Props are more art than science, so you just have to keep trying until you find the right ones or the right mods. I can send you either set for testing.
I think the minimum WOT RPM for 330 Mercs is 4,400.

[Swamplizard]

Steve which ever ones you think need the least horse power I would love to try. You let me know what you think will work and ifit is okay to mod them a bit to fit. THANKS. I hope I can return the favor soon.

[Steve H]

Oliver,

The set I sent you awhile back are the lowest pitch props I have. They have plenty of blade area and diameter, enabeling you to cut them down a bit if you need a few more RPMs.

Why wouldn't they fit? You will have to find out if it is the OD of the prop shaft or the ID of the prop. One way to find out is to grease the shaft and jam the prop on as far as possible with out getting it stuck, then remove it and look at where the grease is missing. If the tops of the prop shaft splines are clean of any grease the shaft OD is too large. If this is the case, I would tackle it with some emery cloth, and just stay at until the props fit. If the grease is forced out of the bottom of the splines on the shaft then the ID of the prop needs opened up a bit. You could probably use a wooden dowell wrapped in emery cloth for this task, but it would be a little harder than just taking it to a shop and let them do the same thing on a lathe. They are too big for my lathe, other wise I would just do it before I shipped them.

These are really nice low rake smooth running props. I really think they are worth the effort to get them mounted.
If you want to give them a try PM me your contact info and I will get you a shipping amount ASAP. They are currently boxed and ready to ship.

Steve

[Ron Alexander]

No worries Ron. Normally one sizes props based on getting to WOT. If you can't get to 5000 rpm on an engine that is supposed to spin to 5000 you may be overloading the engines accross all the revs. I have the older 454 carbed units now and I thing they are supposed to spin up to 4800. Right now I barely get to 3500 so I need to get props checked asap. Like you I am in no hurry...cruise at 30plus is great. Just don't want my 454s to grenade under the load. Cheers

My wife and i will be in Boca Raton after the Daytona 500 for a week. feb 27 thru Mar 5th. Would love to meet up with you to check out your Harley. Any chance of getting together then?

[pizzacutter]

Swamp, Just got back from miami show. Will be in palm bech all week. call me @ 410-726-2612, would like to get together-need to inspcet windshield, I am giving my job to ocean dymanics of miami (ithink) lee

[Swamplizard]

Good seeing you Lee. Get me your prop guy name when you can.

[Swamplizard]

Ron.callme when you get settled. 954 five 98 48 hundred
Oliver

[Swamplizard]

Was youtubing arnesons and there is Pershing video.....Guy recommends tabs down and drives all the way up on take off? Is that what you guys do? I've been puttingboth down.

[Steve H]

Was youtubing arnesons and there is Pershing video.....Guy recommends tabs down and drives all the way up on take off? Is that what you guys do? I've been puttingboth down.

That is the procedure if you have a big boat with big props. The motors need to be unloaded to get the RPMs up, then the drives are lowered slowly as the boat picks up speed.
Only the opposite work for me.

[pizzacutter]

swamp, I looked up mark wilson on web. he is at wider yachts in dania beach or so it appears. check it out, his arneson credentials are pretty impressive. I also have nothing but good to say about inofrmation from Ken martin at pacific surface drives. vey knowledgeable and a nice guy. Thanks for having me over. After oogleing over your gorgeous windshield I went home and removed mine and shipped it to Ocean Dynamics. Hope to have a new one in 6 weeks. Now with windshield off time to work on dash. Running short on time and $$$. Steve how is your dash project?? Have u tried the Garmin? I saw so many hi-tech electronics at miami show I left mesmerized. There is really nice stuff out there. Swamp, would it be OK if manager @ Ocean Dymanics come by and look at boat? I be back in PBG march 13 and could meet him there.

[Steve H]

swamp, I looked up mark wilson on web. he is at wider yachts in dania beach or so it appears. check it out, his arneson credentials are pretty impressive. I also have nothing but good to say about inofrmation from Ken martin at pacific surface drives. vey knowledgeable and a nice guy. Thanks for having me over. After oogleing over your gorgeous windshield I went home and removed mine and shipped it to Ocean Dynamics. Hope to have a new one in 6 weeks. Now with windshield off time to work on dash. Running short on time and $$$. Steve how is your dash project?? Have u tried the Garmin? I saw so many hi-tech electronics at miami show I left mesmerized. There is really nice stuff out there. Swamp, would it be OK if manager @ Ocean Dymanics come by and look at boat? I be back in PBG march 13 and could meet him there.

I finally backed the Harley out of the barn for the first time since November. The Weather was horrible, but that didn't stop me. The new Garmin plotter worked great right out of the box. The new Garmin 3D vision charting is amazing. I'm still not used to the touchscreen and menus, but that will just take some time. I was worried that the autopilot wouldn't like the new stuff, since it is nmea 0183. But the 5212 has an output for older gadgets that worked fine the first time out. The nmea 2000 system is as simple and idiot proof as it gets. Just plug and play. The dash itself turned out just the way I wanted it. I will get a pic of the finished product as soon as I get the compass re installed.
It looks like I am finally getting the boat to Florida this summer. I can't commit to a date yet, but I'm working very hard to make it happen. The electrical project put me behind schedule. The engines are still not up to snuff in my opinion. I see them both being pulled (again). I hope for the last time.

[Swamplizard]

swamp, I looked up mark wilson on web. he is at wider yachts in dania beach or so it appears. check it out, his arneson credentials are pretty impressive. I also have nothing but good to say about inofrmation from Ken martin at pacific surface drives. vey knowledgeable and a nice guy. Thanks for having me over. After oogleing over your gorgeous windshield I went home and removed mine and shipped it to Ocean Dynamics. Hope to have a new one in 6 weeks. Now with windshield off time to work on dash. Running short on time and $$$. Steve how is your dash project?? Have u tried the Garmin? I saw so many hi-tech electronics at miami show I left mesmerized. There is really nice stuff out there. Swamp, would it be OK if manager @ Ocean Dymanics come by and look at boat? I be back in PBG march 13 and could meet him there.

Anytime Lee. Just give notice so I don't shoot anyone. ;-)

[Swamplizard]

Steve props arrived today. Thanks. Will keep you posted...hope to send youacheck for them soon.
Are both your motors efi yet?

[Steve H]

Steve props arrived today. Thanks. Will keep you posted...hope to send youacheck for them soon.
Are both your motors efi yet?

Yeah, both motors are EFI. I had alot of teething problems at first with vapor lock and lean running. After many mods including booster pumps and fuel coolers, the vapor lock issue is resolved I think. I won't be able to test the mods until the weather gets into the 90s.

I purchased oxygen sensors and a computer program that allows hacking into the fuel tables and timing curve of the ECM. After much trial and error the air to fuel ratio is about 12.5 to 1 at cruise and about 12.0 at higher throttle settings.
It was an expensive project, but I did enjoy the challenge, and learned a lot in the process.

[Swamplizard]

Very cool stuff - Holley apparently has an auto-learning gizmo that you hook up and it adjusts to your set up and environment as you drive around. It even changes things if you load up with 93 octane versus 89. Ideally though you add it to existing EFI engines.

Had a line on a pair of FWC low hour merc 502 MPIs last week but by the time I got ahold of the guy they were sold. Guy was doing a diesel conversion.

Steve - I will buy the props - my machinist freind is having to bore them out about 1/8-inch to work with my odd-ball shafts. They look great and there is plenty of blade and diameter to tune them as needed. Send you a check this weekend and keep you posted. I use my others as spares for limping home.

[pizzacutter]

Hey Swamp, U B around town? I was hoping to go by your boat on Thur Morning with rep from Ocean Dynamics to measure windshield. That B OK with you?? text or call 410-726-2612. Thanks 4 help LEE

[Swamplizard]

Steve's props are on the boat but need some flat seas for testing. Check coming SH. Had to have them bored out a 16th to fit. Thanks Bro

[pizzacutter]

Swamp, sorry I missed you the other day. The visit to your boat was big help for guy from OD. We may have to visit 1 more time to make a template if that b OK. Thanks for info bout Birdsall Marine-they are great guys-I spent couple hours there on Monday-Hope to take boat to them in Sept. for arch-outrigger-top&enclosure-upholstry upgrades. Those guys are really a 1 stop shop for my needs (any many others it seems). Best of luck with props.

Hey steve you still luving the Garnin? The dash changes I gotta make for windshield are alot so I think I will upgrades electronics now. I am happy to meet a neighbor with 30 yr marine elec. instll exp. who just retired. He is starting little vette resto. shop for hobby but still does some marine elec. He is a big fan of furuno-he has lts of stories how furuno helped customers long outta warranty. I sem to be between furuno and grmin now. If you decide to bring boat to Fla. let me know. I can arrange trlr storage and got leads on neighborhood docks in Palm Beach Gardens-0nly 3 miles to inlet. I plan to bring boat down in Sept.

[Swamplizard]

Anytime Lee
Had I had a trailer I would have done the same for the Birdsall work.
I foresee a three Harley raftup soon....sweet!

[Steve H]

Steve's props are on the boat but need some flat seas for testing. Check coming SH. Had to have them bored out a 16th to fit. Thanks Bro

Not a problem swamp, fingers crossed that they work out for you.

[Steve H]

Swamp, sorry I missed you the other day. The visit to your boat was big help for guy from OD. We may have to visit 1 more time to make a template if that b OK. Thanks for info bout Birdsall Marine-they are great guys-I spent couple hours there on Monday-Hope to take boat to them in Sept. for arch-outrigger-top&enclosure-upholstry upgrades. Those guys are really a 1 stop shop for my needs (any many others it seems). Best of luck with props.

Hey steve you still luving the Garnin? The dash changes I gotta make for windshield are alot so I think I will upgrades electronics now. I am happy to meet a neighbor with 30 yr marine elec. instll exp. who just retired. He is starting little vette resto. shop for hobby but still does some marine elec. He is a big fan of furuno-he has lts of stories how furuno helped customers long outta warranty. I sem to be between furuno and grmin now. If you decide to bring boat to Fla. let me know. I can arrange trlr storage and got leads on neighborhood docks in Palm Beach Gardens-0nly 3 miles to inlet. I plan to bring boat down in Sept.

Hi Lee,

I'm looking forward to seeing the new look of your Harley! Yes, I am very happy with the Garmin stuff. I don't have any experiance with other brands, so I can't offer a comparison. Whatever brand you decide, I have to say the 12" screen was well worth the extra work to make it fit. Being able to see it without reading glasses is priceless. The auto pilot seems to work much more smoothly too. The nmea 2000 system is a breeze to install, just plug and play. I will need some guidance finding a place to keep, boat, truck and trailer. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I still don't have an ETA, but working on it. Boat is on the trailer now, getting a set of bronze drives, new to me tabs, and other major maintenance done now, hopefully avoiding any big issues while it's down South!

[Swamplizard]

Emailme Steve if selling your old tabs.....by the way....post is useless without pics ;-)

[Steve H]

Emailme Steve if selling your old tabs.....by the way....post is useless without pics ;-)

Pic of the new dash nearly complete. It is still missing the compass which should be installed soon.
Swamp, the tabs are in terrible shop, a lot worse than I thought. I'm surprised that one of them didn't just fall off from major corrosion. They are not even worth the shipping to get them to you. I just tossed them in the scrap barrel. Just keep an eye on EBAY. That's where I just scored a pretty nice set for about $450.

[Swamplizard]

Some progress on swampys Harley.cleaned bottom and found I had lost a boot clamp onport side. Dove today and replaced it. Ocean was 3 or 4 but had to try the props. Port engine seems to be missing from time to time and some fuel sheen in the water at idle....plugs need to be replaced.
Took forever to get onplane....portmotor would not rev...stbd was doing the work. Throats cleared and got onplane....hit 29mph per GPS but rpms were only 3500. With trim very high I could get stbd to 4300 but port would not budgeansnot much speed gain.
Will change plugs and fuel filters and try again and then decide if I should get carbs rebuilt before I get props tweaked. These old merccarbs seem like crap compared to my holleys.
Goodnews is nothing broke ... temps were ok. Fuel flow numbers made no sense.
Steve at 3500 rpm what were you consuming with carbs per hour?

[Steve H]

Hi swamp,
I burn about 35 total gph at that rpm, it was a little more with the carbs. You could easily burn much more if you are running at or near full throttle. I think your motors will burn over 30 per side at full throttle regardless of rpm.

Steve

[pizzacutter]

Hey steve, thank for the dash pics. I have removed it all-gauages, electonics, windshield, upholstry and air cond. Believe it or not the floor under air. cond. was rotten (imagine that) so the whole closet has been stripped and a new floor is made but not put in.
As I layout for the big panel that will hold electronics I keep playing with angle. Unlike the old electronic box I cannot adjust the screen angles once they are installed on a fixed panel. Are you happy with angle or would youhave preferred a bit more vertical? I am playing round with a layout where the panel is not far from vertical. A bit awkward but I think much better to see especially when sitting down. Any thoughts?

[Steve H]

Hey steve, thank for the dash pics. I have removed it all-gauages, electonics, windshield, upholstry and air cond. Believe it or not the floor under air. cond. was rotten (imagine that) so the whole closet has been stripped and a new floor is made but not put in.
As I layout for the big panel that will hold electronics I keep playing with angle. Unlike the old electronic box I cannot adjust the screen angles once they are installed on a fixed panel. Are you happy with angle or would youhave preferred a bit more vertical? I am playing round with a layout where the panel is not far from vertical. A bit awkward but I think much better to see especially when sitting down. Any thoughts?

The angle could have been a "little" closer to vertical for better viewing when sitting, but its not enough off to justify remounting it. The newer screens work pretty good when viewed from an angle. I stand more than I sit, so the trade off works for me.

Steve

[Swamplizard]

second prop update
flat day..100 gallons fuel....fresh plugs port side...changed trans fluid...bottom clean.
engines running better -smooth. Pulled 4000 rpms, sounded best at 3600 rpms and 32 mph. Got over the hump quicker than last time but still not getting to 4500 at wot.

temps were 220 oil and water at 180 unless I went wot then it went to 240-250 on oil. Backed down to 3600 rpms and temps normaled out. Might add some small oil coolers to these puppies if I find they are going to run a bit hot.

will do one more run and take better rpm notes and then ask for suggested prop tweaks. My gut tells me to take out 800 rpms so I can handle more fuel and people without overloading these old mills.

[Swamplizard]

Out last night - got the following with two adults, 100 gallon fuel, 50 gallons water. NO Trim tabs or trim indicators so bit of a trial and error project:

1000 rpm - 7.3 mph at slack tide
2000 rpm - 9.7 mph
3000 rpm - 22 mph
3200 rpm - 26-27.5 sounded okay - not much rooster
3500 rpm - 28 mph sounded better - nice rooster
3600 rpm - 29 to 31 trim dependent -starting to sound hectic
3700 rpm - 30-32 trim dependent - sounded good but "busy"
3800 rpm - 31-32 was fastest I could muster
3900 rpm - 30 mph
4100 rpm - 31 mph but sounded crappy and didnt want to push it - WOT

Assuming boat is 15,000 lbs, props are 18x21 3 round blades, gears are BW 1.53:1

Fuel flow meters are acting up - one engine was reading 16gph at 3500, the other was reading 7 gph. should probably do some spak plug reading after a few pulls but frankly I need glassy waters to do it. Yesterday was not the night with 2-3 footers.

[Swamplizard]

Kinda like her sans-rails: doing some work on some soft spots and thought I would make certain none of the screws were loose or leaking water.:P

[pizzacutter]

Swamp looks good w/o rails. I been having mine hanging from garage ceiling for bout a year. I like look but not safe-gonna go back soon. Wonder what I would have done in life in not for chasin soft spots in a Harley? Heres to all Harley owners not havin any problems with "softness"- I mean how can you have a 42' go fast and have problems w/softness?

[Swamplizard]

lol ... Yeah soft in the head for buying a harley is a kind of soft

[Steve H]

Attached pictures show the current state of the Harley's stern. We repaired all minor issues. It is almost ready for the West Systems barrier coat, then new white bottom paint.
Re drilled transom for ASD6 bronze drives vs the aluminum 1720s that I installed several years ago. I should be able to leave it in the water occasionally with out worry. It will also get a nice set of used k planes.
I also pulled both engines and sent them out for a complete inspection and upgrade. I didn't have any confidence in the workmanship when they were rebuilt a few years ago. The engines ran awesome, but the compression was all over the place, crappy oil pressure, and have found metal in the oils filters. The long blocks will be ready in a few weeks, then I will dress the engines myself on the stand before they go back in the boat.
When I say upgrade, I mean that I am focusing reliable and efficient engines. We are converting to roller rockers, roller lifters, and a custom ground cam that is tailored to the specs of the boat and intended use. New less restrictive exhaust manifolds, and freshwater cooling complete the fresh power. The cam guy quesstimates that I will be in the 480 horse area and still have a near flat torque curve. I'm sticking with the stock MPI intake mainly for appearance sake. I really like everything to appear as stock as possible.
Steve

[Steve H]

Hey Swamp,

You will save a ton of time, frustration, and money if you join boatdiesel.com and sign up to their prop caculator. I think membership is about 25.00 and is well worth it just for the calculator alone. You can punch in different parameters until it matches your current performance numbers and then play with the prop pitch and diameters to get your RPMs where you want them. This would give the prop guy a good idea of what he is trying to accomplish. I used the heck out of this when I was playing around with different propellers. More than likely the prop shop will want to take some diameter out (just guessing here) rather than pitch.

I remember using "fast planing" as a hull type, and using "sterndrive" as drive and "cupped prop". Then punched my horsepower, WOT rpms, cruise RPMs, gear ratio, number of blades, dia., and pitch. It was within one percent of my real world numbers.

Give it a shot and see what happens

Steve

[Swamplizard]

nice work Steve...transom looks great. New asd8s?
verry curious to hear how your engines work out....write everything...cam specs, piston type, etc since I may be copying you soon and could use the info. I belonged to boatdiesel a few years ago....will signup again. As a rule...how much diameter per 100 rpm?

[Swamplizard]

steve what did you use for length and width at waterline?

[Steve H]

steve what did you use for length and width at waterline?

Roughly 39 or 37ft. If I remember correctly, it didn't make much difference.

[Swamplizard]

Spent weekend glassijg under gunnels w my Dad...brutal!!!!

[pizzacutter]

Swamp--I feel your pain!! I have been in the cabin for weekend. renove old air. cond. and remove carpet for replace. Guess what I found-ROT. The floor under air. cond. had rotted cause the air. cond tray had rusted thru and been leaking. The area under carpet was just a filler piece used to level up and it had rotted. The good new was that the when I removed the carpet and rottted piece I uncovered the stirngers built back in 1994 and they b looking good! I am gonna glass in the cabin floor and fill under with dense foam. I did this in some sectins before-but gonna do all now. Also got dash completely disassembled. Will post photsos soon. Getting everything in order to ship to Fla. in early fall. Spend some time at Birdsall and hopefully spend the winter boating. Fingers crossed.

Steve how/why are the two in floor deck boxes tied into one outside your tramsom? All others I have seen have two indiviual boxes that allows exhause to be higher.

[Steve H]

Steve how/why are the two in floor deck boxes tied into one outside your tramsom? All others I have seen have two indiviual boxes that allows exhause to be higher.

It is one continuous well from side to side with three hatches above for access. It was configured this way to accommodate the rudder mounts for the fixed drives. When the Arnesons were installed the floor of the well had to be cut and boxes made to make room for the trim cylinders.

[living de dream]

Hi Guys Phil here from Living The Dream, Harley 42.
Based in St Vincent and the Grenadines on the island of Canouan, been following all your threads since 2007 and having done a bunch of work on my Harley I felt it was time to Join In!!!! sorry for the delay.
Anyway would like to share different ideas.
We completely refurbished our Harley which we bought from HH Bartow, in 2007, as a wreck. We towed it from Bartow to Ft Lauderdale where
we put two Cummins 430 6CTA - 1-5-1 gear boxes and brand new arneson no 8 drives, new trim tabs etc. It took us two months and any time we could get away from work we could.
Then we took the boat all the way from Ft Lauderdale through the caribbean to Trinidad. Going through the Bahamas was majical, the fuel stops were challenging but we made it.
Currently running a small charter business on the island of Canouan, check it out. Been in the Grenadines chartering for over 20 years.
Would love to get involved with the talk,
There are many refurbishments we have done to the boat but one of the best thing we ever did to this boat was put a massive bolt on zince anode which we wired the entire boat to as we lost a set of trim tabs intially with corrosion.

[pizzacutter]

welcome dream. u just more proof that we are not insane. it can be done. i know it is difficult to own a HH 42' but when they r up and crusin they r cool. I am expecting deliver of windshield soon (big thx to swamp 4 helpin!). To get ready I took a chop saw to dashboard and removed most of it. I have a mock up of new dash with luan and paper and gonna start glass soon. Cabin coming together photo show floor sections glassed in and filled with foam, Cabin/stringer structure got alot stronger with repairs.
Dream-where did u get the arneson install in ft laudale? I be near there all winter-always interested in where good arneson part/svc guys r at. How long was your ride from Fl.? How bout some #'s from ur Harley-fuel- speed-etc. Do u fish?? How bout some other guys- what u up to?? Anybody got dashboard pics to post I would like. cause i need ideas.

[living de dream]

great to see the pics i myself am planning to cut out my whole dashboard and make it a continuous with a pop up Garmin touch screen as I have a Garmin touch on my 22ft Tiara in Oprey Fl. Love it ! Arneson Drive in Ft Lauderdal - Paul Sandlin P & L marine had him down to the caribbean to service a pair of 12 on a pershing 54 that I captain and he's a great dude, although I buy all my spares directly from Rick Wimp. Would love to see your windshield but If I want one I will have to trade my balls for one!!! We took 3 weeks to go from Ft L to Trinidad, never managed to get more than 1 mile to the gallon, didn't matter what speed??? Not able to use all the fuel in the tanks cos the guages not accurate enough so always let with 120 gal between the 4 tanks and prob would get better milage if I used this fuel light load etc.
Having touble uploading pics what the deal any advice. talk later Phil