1981 Aquasport 170 rebuild in Sweden

[RickK]

Make sure you have good venting of the console if you're keeping the fuel filter stuff there.  Looks good buddy.

[larsli68]

Thanks Rick!

Good to know. I'm placing it in the CC to make the installation look clean. My boat didn't have a water/fuel filter when I bought it.
I planned for increased ventilation, since my batteries will be in there too. Is it bad to mix the two?
Thanks for your support buddy!

//Lars

[RickK]

A spark around gas fumes might be hazardous And I'm sure there is a ABYC rule against mixing the two.
I am going to build a little standoff on the inside of the transom to mount my filter/separator onto so I'm not punching holes in my new transom.  I am also thinking of doing the same for the transducer on the bottom of the transom.  With fiberglass you can make just about anything. 

[larsli68]

I might have to re think the placement of the filter.
Or create a separate compartment some how.
I'm going to the boat today. My right hand is still not right. Whatever I do today will not involve heavy work...
I will prepare to bring the boat home.

[CLM65]

Many boats have the batteries and fuel filters in the transom area, with no barriers between them....

[RickK]

I know my battery was right next to my filter on my 170 but both were outside in the open.  Fuel filters/water separators can be messy when you're draining them even if you're careful.  If you are working on your batteries, to say clean the terminals and there is a load on them still and there is a spark - who knows what could happen in a semi enclosed area if there are gas fumes.  Just thinking safety here.  Murphy is a bad guy.  I am going to have 3 batteries under my console plan to keep them and fuel very separate but that is just my opinion.

[larsli68]

Thanks for all your input guys. I spent a couple of hours at the boat today. Added some topcoat to repaired areas. Sanding and polishing I can do in my tent.
I also found out how much to pay the guy that owns the shop. He is too nice, and I had to salt the bill myself. He was very happy and I would have spent at least that amount on material
for what I paid him for almost 3 weeks in the heated shop. I also got to use all his professional tools, vacuums etc.
I'm very happy I got this opportunity. Tomorrow I will bring it home to my tent... It will get a lot colder to work on it...

//Lars

[RickK]

Your word of mouth about his shop will pay dividends for him  :PDT_Armataz_01_37:

[dburr]

Thanks for all your input guys. I spent a couple of hours at the boat today. Added some topcoat to repaired areas. Sanding and polishing I can do in my tent.
I also found out how much to pay the guy that owns the shop. He is too nice, and I had to salt the bill myself. He was very happy and I would have spent at least that amount on material
for what I paid him for almost 3 weeks in the heated shop. I also got to use all his professional tools, vacuums etc.
I'm very happy I got this opportunity. Tomorrow I will bring it home to my tent... It will get a lot colder to work on it...

//Lars

A tray of cookies and a beverage of choice goes a long way too! You're lucky, not many cool guys like that around anymore, folks sometimes hustle the dime to much. 

If you are in a position that the filter "has" to go in the console to stay out of the weather, good ventilation is a must for the time servicing the filter.  The rest of the time it will be business as usual with batteries in an enclosed space, unless you get fancy with the type of battery, the lead acid bats produce Hydrogen in small amounts when they charge, and that might be more of an issue over time if the console is really tight.

Keeping the filter out where it can be seen is good for trouble shooting and easy service, easy service means it WILL get done and not postponed.. :banghead:.  Mine is on the transom,stbd side,and I don't like it there because is is exposed and in the way. A project will be to move it to the stbd side up under the cap so it will not be a trip hazard when coming aboard over the stern, but still close to the motor..  You have time to do a custom mount flat under the cap, and that might be an option.

[larsli68]

Thanks Guys!
I might go ahead and plan for the water/fuel filter in the console, and make sure I have good ventilation.
I added a piece of plywood to the inside of the console to have something to screw the filter holder to.

I finally slept 8 hours last night. My hand is doing better...  :great:
I ordered a Makita 9237CB yesterday. My brother (lives next door to me) and I will share it.
It will come in handy when bringing the old cel coat back to life.

[larsli68]

The boat is back home in my cold tent. It was an interesting trip home from the shop... Full blizzard and quite windy. I don't have winter tires on my trailer and was happy I didn't meet
the Swedish police. Everything went well and now my boat is in the tent and drying up again. Once my hand is better, I will start sanding and work on the finish.

[RickK]

I forget, did you say you're adding a bilge pump to the boat?  If so, did you route the exhaust tube while you had the boat opened up?

[larsli68]

Hello Rick,

Yes, I did. I don't know if I will use two bilge pumps yet. I might start with one, but I have everything prepared for two.
It felt good to get the boat home. Wet sanding and polishing I can do in my tent.
It is a "warm" winter here and not freezing temps. At least for the coming week.
I will allow my hand and arm to rest for a couple of more days...
//Lars

[larsli68]

I have a question.

Is the Aquasport 170 and 175 the same length?
when I measure my boat it comes out to 5.28 meter, that translates to 17.5 feet.

Does anyone know if they are the same length?

[RickK]

Legend has it that the 175 was a 170 and they changed the decals only.  I have not measured the LOA of mine but will when I work on it again.