Got some work done today

[HeaveToo]

I finally got down to my boat to do some work on it.  The first project was not totally successful.  I was replacing my hause pipe because the top on the original one is broken (I taped it in place).  I ordered a new hause pipe from Compac and the thing is too small.  It makes me wonder if I don't have the original one on there.  It is a circle but it is a bigger circle then what Compac set me.  The new one would not have allowed me to even get the eye for my anchor rode through it.  I scuttled that project for now and I will have to search around for a better replacement.

The next project was a replacement of my anchor chain.  I like over-sized ground tackle.  I have a 22 pound lewmar claw.  Now I have 30' of 1/4" bbb chain with that anchor.  That project went well.

I started doing my re-wire project.  I added my second fuse panel (it isn't wired yet). It is a three gang fuse panel. I will wire it in and then run a lead from that to the original fuse panel.  The new panel will be an autopilot switch and a water pressure pump switch (I probably won't get to put water pressure in this year).  I will try to get pictures of the new fuse panel.

I added two new 12V outlets.  They aren't wired in but they will get wired in soon.

I started installing the water tank into the boat.  I still need to buy the hose.  I have the area padded with closed cell foam and I have put the eye straps to attach the flexible water tank too.

Tomorrow I will continue the work.  I have a lot of wiring to do.  I am prepping it for a new house bank (6x 6v duracell golf cart batteries in a series).  I will be putting in some new bus bars and I will have a new 12V ground system with new bus bars and then there will be 2 hot bus bars run off of a switch in the fuse panel for the cabin lights and 12V outlets.  The other bus bar will the a NAV/COM switch (GPS, VHF, Depth, etc).

Ever notice that you need to be a contortionist in order to work on boats?

[Jim23]

I'm envious. My boat is covered in snow and projects won't begin until May.

I used a Suncor oval deck pipe from Defender in place of the stock round one. It was a pretty easy install with a dremel tool. The oval opening accommodates larger shackles and makes it easy to feed chain/rode quickly into the anchor locker.

[wes]

Two thumbs up for Suncor. Their deck hardware is consistently higher quality than the common OEM brands that come on many boats. Nice heavy castings of high grade stainless; will last forever. Defender carries their products and will happily special order anything they don't regularly stock.

www.suncorstainless.com

Wes

[HeaveToo]

I will have to remember that when I change out the hause pipe.  I need to move my chain lock because it is too close to my anchor (Moved up to a 22 pound lewmar claw).

I did get more done today.  I have rewired most of the boat now and my fuse panels are done.  Sorry, no pictures yet.  I still have to wire in the new batteries, after I buy them, and wire in two 12V outlets that I installed.  I am very happy with the look of my install. 

Today I:
Moved the onboard battery charger
Removed a bunch of old wire (FYI it wasn't Pre-tinned)
Installed a positive BUS bar for my Cabin and Aux switches (these two switches get the most stuff that go into them)
Installed a new negative bus bar to run all of the negatives to them (this really cleans things up since I moved it to the very back of the area under the Companionway steps).
Ran new wire to complete the forward Cabin bus bar (it is a very heavy gauge wire so it will take the load of the cabin lights and 2 12V outlets that are in that area).
Ran the wires for the water pressure pump (this will be added later on)
Ran new wire for the outlet for the auto pilot (the autopilot has its own switch on the new fuse panel as does the water pressure switch)
Figured out the wire runs for the new battery cables

I did a few other things but I can't remember what.  I will say that I was busy!  I can't believe how sore I am right now.  I have aches where I didn't know I had muscles.

When I get back to the boat, later on, I need to:
Make a new battery platform for the 2 6V batteries
Put the straps and battery boxes in the boat
Put the batteries in a series
Run the hot from the battery to the battery switch in the cabin (simple on and off switch)
Run the hot from the switch to the large HOT bus
Put the charger wires on the batteries
Put the alternator wires directly to the batteries
Run the negative battery cable to the big negative bus bar
Install a new water hose from the new water tank to the faucet (temporary thing because next season I am wiring in a water pump, new faucet, and hose bib for a cockpit shower)