1974 22-2 Restoration

[Capt Matt]

A clean bilge is a happy bildge
Just one rigging tube?
Capt Matt

[Thermal]

A clean bilge is a happy bildge
Just one rigging tube?
Capt Matt

Yes, but tell me what you think.  Learning as I go.  Will it not fit the needed cables and lines?  Thanks.

[gran398]

Thermal,

We are using a single 4" tube. We are running twins.

[LilRichard]

Not Matt, but I ran two just for overkill.  But I ended up running wires through one, cables / hoses through the other.  Kept it neat.

[Thermal]

I'm looking for some advice on wiring.  I've never wired a boat. I'm wondering if I can wire my boat properly relying on a good technical book and going slowly and carefully. Or is the right answer to hire a pro?  I think the answer is to hire a pro, but would like to hear from someone who has done it.  

Thanks.

[GoneFission]

Thermal - although you could wire your boat, it does not mean you should.  For example, a quality commercial-sytle terminal crimper for sizes 10-22 is $100-$300 alone, and no, you can't get a proper crimp with one of those flimsy $5 Wal-Mart types.  A good heat shrink gun is another $100, and no, you can't use the Admiral's hair dryer or a propane torch!  You also would want to have the right wire color coding if you're going to do it right, and that takes a lot of spools of wire.  Technique is important, experience in organizing wiring, choosing the right components, restraining wiring, ensuring correct bend radius, locating components for durability and access, etc.

Remember that many or most tows and on-water failures are caused by either an electrical problem or lack of fuel.  You could get someone to help/mentor your wiring job if you've got a friend who knows his stuff and can coach you through it.  Otherwise, you are an amateur playing in the big leagues.  You really don't want a wiring problem when you are 20 miles offshore, the weather is looking sloppy, and you and other souls aboard at needing to get home.

[Capt Matt]

I ran two 4 inch rigging tubes just so I had plenty of room to run wires as I planned on lots of lights, pumps etc. and wanted to keep it super clean. Most boats can get away with a single tube but if your building it why not have two tubes and plenty of room. The ends of my tubes are 45 degree sweeps as it makes it easier to pull wires through them. I have Hyd Steering, shift cables, and the motor harness ran through one tube which comes up on the starboard side of the console.  All the other 12V  goes through the other. The 12V tube comes up in my console below my fuse boxes and makes it really clean.  I had a pro do the wiring, not that I could not have done it but I knew he would do a much better job and in less time than it would have taken me. I glassed coosa pads inside the console to mount the fuse blocks, battery switch and other stuff to.
Boat wiring done right will last for years and makes it so simple to find the problem if something happens down the line even a blown fuse is simple to find if everything is labeled etc.
Look at some of Seabob's pictures in previous posts, wiring is beautiful if done right and not the typical spaghetti dinner found on most older boats . If I did not  get most of my wiring work as trade out I would have taken it to him, that man can rig.
Make all the fuse blocks easily accessable and use high quality materials (the right gauge marine wire, connectors, shrink wraps and fuse blocks etc) this is not where you want to skimp.
Capt Matt

[RickK]

IMHO, if you think you can do it (that's always a plus) and have the ability to buy what you need (think Harbor Freight - and they don't have good hand crimpers), and can follow written instructions then you'll know every inch of your boat when you're done.  That's how you learn and increase your experience levels. If there is serious question about any of the above - hire a pro.
This stuff isn't that hard to do (does require that you have a double jointed back or two hands on one arm) - you might not end up with the quality job you would via a pro (and you may not even get that from a "pro"), but ask questions and we'll give you the best advice our collective minds can give.  That's what is super at this site - we have a mix of all kinds of experiences here and they're all ready to help.

[Thermal]

CaptMatt, Like you suggested, I just looked a one of Seabob's wiring posts. Leaves me impressed and feeling less confidence about trying it myself.  

I'll look into a second penetration for cables and wire. Makes sense. I can't see any down side.  I'm set to glue in the deck on Wednesday. Don't want to get anything wrong and don't want to delay.

Thanks.

[Capt Matt]

If you even think you might need the second tube now is the time. once the floor is down its too late.
Nothing wrong with having too much rigging room
Keep up the good work
Capt Matt

[slippery73]

Make sure you reinforce the stringer areas that have the penetrations in them for the rigging.  You will want to add additional glass on the stringer caps and around the penetrations.  The few aquasports I've seen that had cracked stringers were all right above the rigging tube penetrations.

[Thermal]

Deck is in.  Cuts for three hatches, penetration and fuel line.  The hatches are above the sender, the fuel fill, pickup and ground, and the bilge. Deck is glued onto stringers and a flange along the perimeter.  Weight is placed on outside to help shape the crown.  Next step for deck is to glass the perimeter. I've started sanding the hatches, gunwales and casting deck, but a lot more to do. I'll  get a few days work in over Christmas and New Years.  The shop seemed careful in how we prepped the hull, scraped and sanded all of the surfaces for glue and glassing. All of the access hatches and cuts are exact and where they belong.  This was a big day. It marks a lot of progress in the project. Enjoyed it.

Deck glued in and weighted down




Deck before pulling off peel ply and setting in hull.

[Capt. Bob]

Where's the anvil?  :o  

Come a long way since that first post.

[slvrlng]

Anybody know where we put that 5 gal of acetone???      

Its gonna be a sweeeet ride!

[love2fish]

"Deck is in. Cuts for three hatches, penetration and fuel line. The hatches..."

I'm not an expert boat builder,,, but, did you mean "Ventilation"...?