Harley 42'

Hey Steve. I have seen your plates on your old tabs and I thought they were massive. I still have the original aluminum K Planes on my Harley and I am not running any additional plates on them. They seem to work fine for me the way they are. What advantage do the larger plates give you? Ron

 

Good Morning Ron,

The main advantage is extremely slow planing speed, as low as 18mph if I'm loaded light and still able to get pretty good mpg. It gets on plane very easy when loaded heavy too. The lower Columbia is chucked full of floating debris most imes of the year. Being able to slow way down when it's foggy or dark is much safer. They are very sensitive at higher speeds, so caution is needed when using them over 35mph.

 

dashboard update

Not how I wanted to spend my weekends in June. But making good progress. You can see that a small panel is going into dash by sterring wheel. This has fuel, hours, alrams, etc. Will leave more room on big panel. Windshield has a delay, but builder says he needs time to make a better upgraded product for same $$$. I have no choice but to wait.....

 

Lee,

SAWZALL aka HARLEY TOOL

Have you purchased any electronics yet?

 

I have not committed to electronics yet but must do so soon. My existing stuff is 6 year old. Could work but not likely. I really want to buy furuno cause I have used mainly thier stuff for years (cept for northstaar gps). They next choice would be garmin 5212- If I stay furuno I probably goona pass on touch sreen TZ for a couple reasons. the 10.4" screen MFD vx2 is furno staple for 10 years. They just upgraded screen. I have a friend with 30 yr install exp. and a neihbor who just installed his boat with 2 of the vx2 bith have a lot good to say bout vx2 so I am leaning that way. Let u know soon.
The flat panel with the elec. is nearly vertical so the bottom is way down in dash-gonna require big drains for rain and wave water.
I redid thruster battery. it is now up in bow with thruster. Gonna get a gel battery . I bought a Hardin marine racing bracket. Hope it will stay in place. Trying to make room for a genny. My props are in shop ready to p/u. shaved 1/16" of triaaling eddge and recond. Will post photo whne i get

 

I could not find racing batt. box for big 8-D batts. so I had made from st. steel. Not sure what guage but pretty stiff. I left bottom open to save weight and allow for a 3/4 epoxied plywood bottom. Put in a piece of pick up bed mat and HD straps. I like- takes up much less space than production models too.

 

windshield

Don't try ths at home!

 

Phil Jones Living The Dream Canouan Island

Hi
How you doing with your dashboard and windshield would love to see some updated pics as I am going to tackle my dashboard next month the boat goes to Trindiad, for a small rerfurb. Wonder if any of the other guys have any photos or suggestions on the re-design of the dashboard.???

 

I finally got windshield. Took 5 months!! Now I be doing glass work round the clock trying to complete before boating season completely lost. Electrtonic guy has my dash panel and is installing stuff today. I hope to put in panel this week. Will post photos. Got some other cool stuff to show when get time. LED running lights. new anchor locker, etc. Props are all done and ready to go. Back to the sander!!

 

Lee, you are an animal!

Windshield looks awesome

 

A few more photos are attached (I think). What started as a new windshield went way beyond. Lots of glass work, new electronics, etc. etc. I will try to post a run down of what done so far when I get some time. I am whipped physically and finacially but at least it is looking good. Sea trial any day now

 

first day in water 9 1 12. running awesome. 48 mph. really like furuno 10" screen what a change from old n'star. insatlled new air cond. nice! going in for new top and enclosures in week or so. still gonna gets some boating in ths year. white marlin are being caught of OC and crabs are running big on chesapeake. Just need some time and $$$ for diesel

 

Living De Dream Baby

What an awesom job you have done on your dashboard and windshield
Im off to Trinidad tomorrow morning 160 miles from St Vincent, only getting 35knots top speed right now, props need working on.
The weathers real calm right now due to TS leslie so hope for a good ride.
Good a bunch work planned.
I just put a two part bimini on the boat the front part
stays on all the time, check out the pic you might like the design

 

I b going to a metal shop this week to try and salvage my existing top frame and modify it. Really want to stop spending and start boating! I s anybody doing anything spcial for electrolisys corrosion around drives and fittings?. I am having some trouble and need to address this problems

 

Do you have a galvanic isolator? I was having issues with prop pitting until I installed one. When the Arnesons were installed several years ago, I used the mercathode system and made sure everything was grounded. I assume its working, but hard to tell lately with the boat stored on a lift.