Ex-Aquasport/Wellcraft employee (Bob C)...

[Capt. Bob]

That's what I really miss... space. :(

The console has an abundance of room to layout your wiring and to access it easily that my little WAC is missing.

Lookin" good SB  

[cdoyal]

I'm in the process of redoing my dash panel with teak instead of plastic and your tidyness inspires me to do the same.

[seabob4]

That's what I really miss... space. :(

The console has an abundance of room to layout your wiring and to access it easily that my little WAC is missing.

Lookin" good SB  

Bob,
This is a tiny little console, all the work has to be done through a hatch, but none the less, it does have that "space" that a WA simply can't provide.  One of the good things about this job is that it is a TOTAL rewire, so I was able to yank out the old main harness, build my own, and start from scratch instead of having to work with someone elses crap!

What I always hated about AS WACs was the poor accesability to the helm wiring from inside the cabin.  What I recommend is cut a large opening in the b/head behind the helm, and either install an access hatch (I use a 13" X 24" Jim Black hatch I can get at work), or fab a panel, cover it with vinyl or monkey fur, whatever your cabin overhead material is, and secure it with snap caps and matching buttons.  Remove 4 screws and you have all the access you need.

She's about 85% complete, but with the day we're having today, I don't think much is going to get done...


Got to build a roof off the end of my shop... :(

[WaveDancer]

Happy New Year to Bob and everyone here at CA.

Bob, I have a question for you.

Do you know if I can get a replacement gauges/instrument panel for my 2004 Explorer 225?

The one I have has developed some imprefections in it and if I can replace it, I will.

Hope your New Year is good for you and your family.

Ken.

[cdoyal]

My '97 245 had a cracked, faded dash and most of the gauges and wiring were toast. I bought all new gauges, switches, fuse blocks, tinned wire, etc. and am starting from the nav lights all the way back to the pumps and replacing everything. I bought a hunk of teak and resawed it into 1/4" panels. Three coats of Cetol Natural Marine Teak and this is what I have. As soon as it cures, I'll install the new gauges and switches. We got another six inches of snow today so the workshop is a good place to be!

[seabob4]

CD,
That is a BEAUTIFUL panel, I love the look of wood (especially teak) in a cockpit, all this fancy plastic is cold and uninviting (to me, anyway), wood adds contrast and warmth.

That being said, Ken, and others, it would be nice to find some of those panels at Marine Surplus, but Mike (glockdiver) and RickK have already gone that route to no avail.

So what I suggest is Ultra Panel Marine down in Miami.  The fellow who owns it is named Ivo, and they will work with you on fabbing you a new panel, including the gauge and switch/breaker cutouts at a reasonable price.  They are the supplier to Boston Whaler, and our sister company Donzi gets quite a few of their panels from them.  There are other companies that do this type of work, but I know I have had great success with UPM.  Just a suggestion.

Well, it quit raining, starting to get a bit chilly (54 degrees), so time to head out to the shop and play around.

Gators and Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl tonight...any bets?

Bob C

[seabob4]

Well, fellas, I guess I've decided to change things up a little here in the New Year.  First, I want you to know who your talking to when you might wonder who this "seabob4" guy is.  So here I am:


Changed my sig as well, just to be a bit different (actually, quite a bit different!).  I want you guys to know who I am, and that I get a HUGE amount of enjoyment seeing you guys enjoy your girls!  Anything I can do to help is always my pleasure, and I hope I can be of assistance about any issue you may have, whether I was at AS the time your boat was built, or not.  Being in the business, there are MANY things in boats of different makes and vintages that are very similar, and often are done the exact same way.  In my side work, I work on Rangers, Wellcrafts, Prolines, Nauticstars, Grady's, Four Winns, you name it.  If you know the basic concepts as to how boats are built, than, regardless of make, you follow those concepts, and, chances are, you can fix it.

Now that I'm done with myself, back to the conversation!

RickK, hope this gets the forum moving...

Bob C

[RickK]

What you working on there Bob?

[seabob4]

What you working on there Bob?

Piece of crap 17.5 HP B&S. My neighbor gave me his tractor (I didn't need it my 22 HP Kohler runs great) after it quit with less than 75 hours on it.  Single cylinder Briggs. Figured I could fix it and make an easy $500.  Did the research, 2 issues.  Valve clearance and cam lobe wear.  Adjusted the valves from hear to eternity, got her to run, oh, for maybe 20 secs, then she would die, and couldn't overcome compression.  That's where the cam lobe comes in.  Read where the exhaust lobe wears and won't engage the de-compression arm.  So pulled the bottom end, pulled the cam, and it looks perfect.  So, since I don't need the motor, it just sits there.

I had a 19 HP L-twin Briggs that ran great after 10 years before I got the Kohler.  Frankly?  I think this motor is not worth it.  Up to 14 HP, single cylinder is fine.  Anything bigger?  A twin.  So if you know someone who wants it, let me know.  The whole motor is in excellent shape, inside and out.  And I'm not going to buy a $50 cam only to find that doesn't fix the problem...

Other stuff going on in there as well, but right now the shop is a bit of a mess, as what I have yanked out of this old Proline has ended up on the floor...anybody need any really black corroded wire?  I've got a ton of it...

[stringali]

Hey there everyone, I hope that all is well and that you all had a happy New year.  I haven't been on in a couple of weeks and figured i would pop on and share a big find today.  While I was doing my usual Craigs List browsing at boats and stuff, I came across a local marina here on L.I. that was listing some new old storage of Aquasport parts.  I got a tremendous deal on the full glass enclosure for my 225 along with two new jump seat.  There are some other things that they have as well.  Here is the link to the listing, check it out.  I can't wait to get back into the water.  I had a chance to go for some Cod yesterday with friends out at Montauk, I decided to go to work and stay warm.  

Ron is the contact at amity Harbor Marina:

http://longisland.craigslist.org/boa/1551027420.html

Can't wait for spring!

Steve

[Capt. Bob]

Ron is the contact at amity Harbor Marina:
Steve

Deja Vu

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5071

[stringali]

Boy how it is a small world, great being connected with this site!  I got the curtains and enclosure for my 225 explorer, beautiful!

[stringali]

Hey Bob,  

Stringali here, I just brought my Cabin Hatch Lid to a plastic fabricator to make me a new hatch, mine was cracked.  Could you tell me where to get the hardware for this hatch.  I am having him reuse the hinges for the lid so they will match up with the existing holes that are on the boat already.  I would like to know the locks that are used for the lid, they use the key that is rounded, I think that it is called a cam lock.  Are you gamiliar as to which one I shoudl get for this, as well as the piece that attaches to the lid for the lift shock to install onto.

Thanks,

Steve

[seabob4]

Steve,
A pic is worth a thousand words, they say...

[RickK]

I know that freezer door keys fit the locks that are on the hatches now.  I searched high and low for a key and found them at ACE hardware.