mid cabin upgrades

BobCT · Post by **BobCT** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 11:55 am

I'm getting a jump on some of the items I wanted to address this off season:

I just ordered a watertight inspection hatch. I'm going to install that behind the v-berth mirror which I removed yesterday. That will lead to me removing the pulpit and bringing it home to re-core in the next month or two. My mirror had a lot of black spots so I just ordered an acrylic mirror which should be a 1/3 of the weight. I'll let you know if it's a good option.... it was $85 shipped. Hopefully I'll get the pulpit off, repaired and then reinstalled before I get the shrink swap done.

And, I just ordered supplies to relocate my shorepower connections to the transom from the Stb side. There's plenty of room under the Stb stern cleat and it should look like it "belongs" there. It'll be nice to have a short run w/o cables running up the side of the boat. I ordered new Marinco 30a connections. I'll install those and then figure out whether I'll permanently remove the old ones and do some fiberglass repair afterwards or just leave them there (probably not). Finally, I'm getting some quotes to make a deeper teak swim platform. I've given up trying to find something used....

Bob

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 5:47 pm

Hi Bob !

Well, I have to tell you, you're going to have quite an audience here on this one.

The bow pulpit for one thing.

I know my balsa core is toasted and I am really looking forward to your being the (damnit, was he thinking the words "Guinea Pig") first and most advetrerous in our group to tackle this project.

The other item is the shore power.

When I did the refit I purchased two new 30 amp Marinco boat side receptacles, with the intention to replace and rewire.

I never "got" to that project and yoiur concept of relocating them to the cockpit makes so miuch sense, I can't wait to see how it ll turns out.

So, count me in for one of those looking forward to lots of detail and shared photos.

It's this kind of sharing that keeps our marque alive, twenty years after the close of the Lancaster factory.

Best Regards,

RWS

tsawyer · Post by **tsawyer** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 6:23 pm

What are you going to do to the swim platform?

BobCT · Post by **BobCT** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 9:00 pm

The old one is going in the dumpster! Depending on the cost, I'll either get one made in teak or do it myself.

I've wanted the look of teak since I bought the boat. Plus, I always thought the mid cabin platform was too narrow and I don't like the big gap between the transom.

As a bonus, I think I'll drop a few pounds in the process. The old one is completely saturated and really heavy. I took it off last year to re-bed the hardware which in hindsight was a waste of time. I bought a moisture meter which just arrived today. The needle pegged when I put it on the platform.

Bob

yorklyn · Post by **yorklyn** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 9:21 pm

Bob,
Its like you read my mind yesterday!!! I got a rough quote on a new fiberglass swim platform ($2295) today. I think I'm just going to make a new one.
I was laying in bed last night thinking of anything else that needed to be addressed before paint. I was thinking how nice it would be to relocate the shore power to the stern!! It sounds like you have looked at it and have a plan. Would you mind posting your material list as far as wire gage and parts needed, I may steal your Idea if you dont mind? Trying to decide if I need to pull the pulpit. I need to yank the windlass off soon so I'll probably pull anyway. I'll take pics. Other than spraying my tanks i've been doing nothing but fairing and sanding since you stopped by. (did I mention how sick I am of fairing and sanding!)
Take Care and good luck with everything!

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 9:34 pm

Another item on my list is to replace the three wooden, excessively heavy engine room hatches and the lazerette hatch.

The wood has gone soft in spots (especially around the end grain edges)and the additional insulation added at the refit make it a weightlifters dream to deal with.

There has to be a better surface product than the factory carpet (over plywood, c'mon guys) and the sheet faux teak I am using is beginning to look a bit long in the tooth.

RWS

yorklyn · Post by **yorklyn** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 9:48 pm

RWS My hatches weigh a ton. I thought they were waterloged and was getting ready to cut the core out and redo them. I decided to test the core with a drill bit at the last minute (i actully had the grinder and cutting wheel plugged in and ready to go ) I drilled about 15 holes in the bottom of each hatch and had nothing but bright, clean dry wood. If yours are soft thats another story. If not check them first. But man, they are heavy!

BobCT · Post by **BobCT** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 8:35 am

I re-cored my engine hatches last year. They were heavy AND soft. The center one was fine, I did about 1/2 of each of the outboard hatches and the entire small/stern hatch. When I was done, I upgraded to 1.5" insulation which I do recommend, it's a noticeable reduction in engine room noise. But, there goes the weight savings.

Todd, so far I've ordered two new Marinco outlets. Since you know how to do the finish work, you could easily move yours and patch the two 3" holes. On mine, there's a small notch in the teak which I'll need to fill. The wire is 10/3. I was going to add a junction box and extend the 8' or so to the stern but more than one person on the Hull Truth has convinced me to re-run right back to the panel and avoid that step. With that development, I'll probably have to order another 25' roll which is about $40.

I'm going to do this soon, probably while I'm still in the water so maybe I'll have it done before you get to it. I'm interested to see how much a teak platform will cost. I'll let you guys know.

Bob

yorklyn · Post by **yorklyn** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:19 am

Thanks Bob,
if its just a matter of a longer length of 10-3 and outlets I think I may move them. I was thinking about recessing them in the cockpit where the useless storage box is located . were you thinking of having them below your cleat on the transom?

BobCT · Post by **BobCT** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:28 am

Todd, that was my plan but I haven't drilled any holes yet. That's another reason I ordered (expensive reason I guess) the new outlets so I can place them around the boat and find the best spot. There's tons of room under the cleat and that's a perfect spot for me in the slip I'm in now.

I probably want to think through, what if I'm not in that slip/transient and maybe look at a more central spot on the transom which is how a lot of boats are now. Anywhere in the stern area will be an upgrade.

The storage box isn't a bad idea either. It would require some serious beefing up for shorepower though, the fiberglass is pretty thin. I added a 12v outlet there and I'm real careful plugging in/out of it.

yorklyn · Post by **yorklyn** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:19 am

Thanks Bob

Mike Kulp · Post by **Mike Kulp** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 1:05 pm

Hey Bob I installed a swim platform off a 39' SeaRay on to my midcabin, I found it laying under a old PT boat at Worton creek marina, It layed there all summer until my made me ask about it, got it for a $100.00, had to have new stainless brackets made and shims for the transom but it was a close match.

aaronbocknek · Post by **aaronbocknek** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 1:26 pm

Mike Kulp wrote:Hey Bob I installed a swim platform off a 39' SeaRay on to my midcabin, I found it laying under a old PT boat at Worton creek marina, It layed there all summer until my made me ask about it, got it for a $100.00, had to have new stainless brackets made and shims for the transom but it was a close match.

and our resident '' pterodactyl '' at parkside LOVES mikes swim platform!! he uses it daily to consume his supper.

sluggo · Post by **sluggo** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 3:41 pm

BobCT wrote:.

I've wanted the look of teak since I bought the boat. Plus, I always thought the mid cabin platform was too narrow and I don't like the big gap between the transom.

Bob

My dog feels the same way. when he climbs the ladder to get back in the boat, he gets his paw stuck between the platform and the transome. I tried to fill it in with a piece of pressure treated. If I think of it I will show you some pics of him climbing the ladder!! he can do it himself!!

aaronbocknek · Post by **aaronbocknek** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 5:56 pm

sluggo wrote:
BobCT wrote:.

I've wanted the look of teak since I bought the boat. Plus, I always thought the mid cabin platform was too narrow and I don't like the big gap between the transom.

Bob
My dog feels the same way. when he climbs the ladder to get back in the boat, he gets his paw stuck between the platform and the transome. I tried to fill it in with a piece of pressure treated. If I think of it I will show you some pics of him climbing the ladder!! he can do it himself!!

lol i LOVE stories of marina dogs. we had this one black lab, tyson, who would use his nose to open the transom door, get onto the platform, turn around, push the ladder into the water, dive off (with stuffed duck in mouth mind you), swim around the boat to cool off, then climb back up the ladder into the aft cockpit. the craziest thing i've ever seen, but always good for a laugh. like i said, i love stories of marina dogs. the absolute best companions in the world. my boston has made my recovery so much better. he keeps me moving!