Power distribution at helm

[Circle Hooked]

I'm running a power line up to the helm to power the electronics,and would like opinions on how to distribute it I'm thinking something like below.

#1 Already have one of these for the grounds.


#2 Or something like this,everything has an inline fuse but i could change that.


Thanks guys Scott.

[seabob4]

Scott,
Didn't the Explorer use breakers for circuit protection?  Or are you going the route like cdoyal did with the switch panel/no breakers and fuse block behind the helm?

[Circle Hooked]

Bob the only breakers are on the switches,i guess i'm doing it like cdoyal,this is just for the gps  ect, no switch panel needed ,i already run the stereo of the acc switch.

I'm wide open for suggestions on this.

And nice to see you over at FS they need your common sense there.

[seabob4]

Bob the only breakers are on the switches,i guess i'm doing it like cdoyal,this is just for the gps  ect, no switch panel needed ,i already run the stereo of the acc switch.

I'm wide open for suggestions on this.

And nice to see you over at FS they need your common sense there.

Somewhat of an interesting bunch over there on FS.  I think a lot of guys think they own the place...

Use the fuse block with no ground bus since you already have the ground bus.  Just make sure after you get everything wired to give both a good application of Corrosion X or Boeshield T-9.

Bob

[Circle Hooked]

Thanks bob i like that answer,it's cheaper.

It used to be alot better,all die hards for boating and fishing,then they went to a new format and with that a new breed of know it all rich guys came on and alot of people left including me, went about a year without going on,can't even say why i'm back now,curiosity maybe or boredom,only go there when this place slows down.

[seabob4]

Thanks bob i like that answer,it's cheaper.

It used to be alot better,all die hards for boating and fishing,then they went to a new format and with that a new breed of know it all rich guys came on and alot of people left including me, went about a year without going on,can't even say why i'm back now,curiosity maybe or boredom,only go there when this place slows down.

Kind of an interesting observation...even THT seems slow these days (except for the Contender thread!).  And lots of rudeness...

Not sure what's going on...

[Circle Hooked]

Thanks for the highlight i should have done that,and that contender thread will live forever it seems,it started and died on FS and lives on over there.

[seabob4]

Thanks for the highlight i should have done that,and that contender thread will live forever it seems,it started and died on FS and lives on over there.

...And has found it's way to reelboating, and anywhere else Team Blood whatever can get it on.  I think Contender makes a good boat.  But, I also think they probably should have realized who they were dealing with and cut their losses.  I have built many a replacement boat, at Wellcraft, HS, Stamas, and Proline.   happens.  Bite the bullet and move on.  But Neber decided to be the egotistical SOB he is and stand up to what he thought was a bogus claim.

Now I'm not saying who's right and who's wrong here, I'll just let you read what I posted under the same thread on reelboating the other day:


As usual, a "bashing" thread on THT has taken on a life of it's own. Now granted, the President/owner/whatever of Contender certainly did no favors for his company nor the Contender community. However, the fact, and it is a fact, remains that Contender makes an excellent boat, and will continue to do so. I'm sure for every disgruntled Contender owner out there, there are thousands who love their Contenders and, in many cases, wouldn't buy anything else but Contender.

Having been at the OEM level for so long, there are certain aspects of the business that most don't see unless they are in it. One of those aspects is the tremendous egos of those who own/run boat building companies. Look at Reggie, look at Bob Dougherty (spelling)just to name a couple. Combine those egos with egos of many well-heeled buyers and a lot of interesting fireworks can happen. Secondly, every boat builder does what we call "warranty replacement" boats, usually under the radar, usually at great cost to the builder, and usually listed under "Goodwill" on the monthly warranty cost reports. It is typically in the builders best interest to perform these replacements as the reputation of the builder can be quickly tarnished by a zealous owner who thinks he has been wronged, especially with the advent of forums like this one (which, thank god doesn't seem to stoop to that level)and THT. To be able to get a "gripe" out there for all the world to see so quickly and so wide-spread is something that simply wasn't available not that long ago. Builders are becoming more and more aware of this and in most cases are reacting to the potential damage a thread like the Contender thread can pose, but sometimes the reaction and explanations are either not quick enough in coming to stem the tide, or the ego of someone got is the way of making a good, sound business decision.

When I was at Hydra-Sports (back when it was still at the old Sunbird plant in Columbia, SC), I was building the 3000 Vector. The first 7 boats I built were warranty replacement boats for owners of Stratos 3300s where the transom cracks in the splashwells were so big you could almost slide your whole hand through them. Nothing was ever heard of these replacements, it was simply done as a cost of doing business, and everyone came out happy. Imagine that scenario in today's world of instant access and forums that allowed the type of bashing we see.

So it's been going on a long time, and the Contender issue does not surprise me at all. But it certainly could have been handled A LOT better than it was...


And that's the deal...

[Circle Hooked]

Bob that says it all to me,gonna have to check over there to see the response.

Before my Aqua i had a 94 204 angler,bought it new,not known to be the best boat in the world,a month after i got it i felt the floor getting soft,contacted the dealer, a day went by got a call from the factory they wanted to verify my address they were on there way to get it,that afternoon they picked it up took it back to miami a week later they have it back to me all new floor.

Only had it to years before i traded it for the Aqua but never another problem,and i still see that boat from time to time,the same guy that bought it from hidden harbor marina still has it,on the third motor but but i think thats all him.

To sum it up i will never say an ill word about angler, i wish every one had that level of service

[gran398]

Fellas,

First the tech stuff, I'm with Seabob, a fuse block is terrific old-tech for an easy feed. Easy to install, straightforward. I've always used 10 gauge on a long run from the batts., prob. overkill, but that's just me. A solid 13V+ at the fuse block, and that's what you want. Like having the batteries strapped to the back of the panel. Remember, modern electronics, VHF's especially, are constant-voltage sensitive.

Have been away from all of the boating blogs, but is FS Florida Sportsman? Just a guess, no clue. But thanks, will ck it out.

Now for the "back-when" stuff. You are absolutely right about the industry. A bunch of Alpha males on a collision course. Didn't make a flying flip years ago when everyone was rockin'.....just another few K more for more toys. Or ten K more, or fifty more, whatever. Just a function of how many zeros it took to float your boat, so to speak.

Those days are over, and with those days died the industry as we knew it. And you're right, it once was a gentleman's industry, when a man was good for his handshake. Yep, Reggie was a showboat, from little 'ol Stella in Eastern NC. Plant was in Washington, NC, commonly called around here "little Washington." For too many years to count, he ran 6 consecutive pages of advertising, EVERY month, in all the big boating/fishing mags. People LOVED his boats, especially the Sultans of the United Arab Emirates. If you like to porpoise up and down in the waterway, here's the ride for you.

And Grady-White, the white collar of NC builders for the middle class, and upper-middle class. Twenty years ago, they had a field they owned in Greenville, just for burying NEW cracked hulls. Ran them over with a Cat, dug a hole, and administered last rites. They weren't going to let them hang around out back for all to see.  Not public knowledge of course, but no problem, the owners received brand-new hulls, goodwill as you say. They stood by their stuff, just as  Reggie did.

But that was then, when a 10k hit at cost was like buying a postage stamp for the rest of us nowadays. I know what they went through. I'm in luxury retail myself, and am very fortunate to still be here to tell the story. Ain't been pretty out there. And the boating industry was hit with a double-whammy.....5 dollar gas at the pump, THEN the great recession. Forget the macho business models as a cause of failure; supply and demand finished it.

Whew.....and I think I WILL have another beer!!!

Best,
Scott

CH, you're post just popped up as was finishing....EXACTLY what we've been talking about. Too darn bad its gone, for now anyway.

[Circle Hooked]

gran speaking of over kill i did the fuse block with 6 gage to the battery,got a 15ft piece for 12 bucks couldn't pass it up,redid the ground with the same to.

Good times never last, it seems like some of these are out to say who can i screw over next.

I bought a new cast net at the boat show on sat,the one Ive been wanting, paid top dollar for it get home unpack it and find a hole,some one tied it off with pink ribbon to hide it,still waiting to hear back from calusa on that. :x

[gran398]

Tell us about the cast net....damn if I don't love a nice cast net.

[seabob4]

Scott, Gran,
First, Scott, that is a PISSER on your new cast net! Man, I live and die on my castnet, old as , but a 12 footer and I've grown used to throwing it.  I've repaired a few holes (my doing!), but she gets me my greenbacks and pinfish.

There is so much that goes on behind the scenes at boat builders.  I am almost tired of talking about it.  But sometimes, when one is so closely associated, it's hard not to.

I feel it's time to get out on my own, to use my knowledge of 16 years in the business and help others, which in turn will help myself, and my family.  

Keep you guys posted.  After all, this site really is my home.  Hey, a seed never drops far from the tree, does it?

Bob C

[Circle Hooked]

Tell us about the cast net....damn if I don't love a nice cast net.

Well it's a 8ft 3/8" mesh calusa all hand made even the hole i guess they usually run $240-250 found it at the show for $200 so i bit,been wanting one for years but never could justify that kind of money,finally say the hell with it, i want it and know this,i sent them an email sat night so will see, today is the first business day since so if no word by tomorrow i'm gonna call and beat that bush and see what happens.

[Circle Hooked]

Scott, Gran,
First, Scott, that is a PISSER on your new cast net! Man, I live and die on my castnet, old as , but a 12 footer and I've grown used to throwing it.  I've repaired a few holes (my doing!), but she gets me my greenbacks and pinfish.

There is so much that goes on behind the scenes at boat builders.  I am almost tired of talking about it.  But sometimes, when one is so closely associated, it's hard not to.

I feel it's time to get out on my own, to use my knowledge of 16 years in the business and help others, which in turn will help myself, and my family.  

Keep you guys posted.  After all, this site really is my home.  Hey, a seed never drops far from the tree, does it?

Bob C

Going your own way is the only way if you can swing it,i detailed cars for a caddy dealer for 15 years before i started my own deal 6 years ago,times are slow but wouldn't have it any other way,and just like you with boats i have some car stories but in away there the same, cars boats are built and sold, some you never see again some you never get rid of,but when you do right by the customer they tend to come back,back in the late 80's-early 90's caddys were junk but the dealer kissed butt and the people kept buying and were happy to.