While he worked on trying to cypher out the wires, I worked on installing the steering and throttle controls. All I have to do now is to connect the gauges, screw down the ignition and make the final attachment on the steering wheel.
The jumble of wires turned out MUCH easier than anticipated. Getting the old stuff sorted and cut out that we didnt need anymore was actually the harder part. I could hook up a battery and gas to it and turn her on, so I am really happy about that. I have a seat for the front off my old center console that will work until I pony up for some new vinyl, and it looks really good about now. I might even take it for a maiden voyage next week!
Made those final connections on the steering last night, so now all I lack is attaching gas and power line to the battery and I can take her for a spin! I stuck the seat from my old center console on the front, it will work for now, and I think it will clean up pretty good with a little elbow grease.
Now I can focus on getting all my other gear installed, navigation lights, docking lights, sonar/GPS, power outlets, radio, trolling motor and batteries for such, high-pressure washdown stations, installing the sink and cutting board. Seating, and POSSIBLY a head. Not sure about that last one, but working on it.
I found some new corner trim at Academy the other day, I am thinking of swaping out the old vinyl trim with the aluminum corners shown, then adding the new ones on the tips. These have some "give" to them, maybe they can take a blow to a concrete wall pretty well?
Got some more done this weekend on the barge. I re-ran the wires for the front nav-lights and installed those. Got the new front corners finished up, I think I will like those.
Then we washed it good, inside and out. It looks OK, but I am really leaning towards repainting the exterior in the very near future. I found a pontoon re-stripe kit for $80, and it wouldnt be too hard to tape off and spray the base. I want to get everything else done first though.
I also installed two new Bus-bar's in the console, one for positive, and one for negative wires. I like the idea of just a single wire coming in from the battery, then all the additional electronics wires will be much shorter and organized better.
I also pulled the sink out I bought for this project and will get the cabinet built to house it and the cutting board. I am goign to run a 12v outlet to it, this way I can filet or cut bait right on the spot. No, I am thinking about adding a mini-fridge. Hmmmmmm
I am getting there, about to bust ready to give it a test run!
Last night I pulled the sonar/GPS out of the CC and installed on the toon, I just have to make the hot and cold connections to it, 5 min deal so I will be ready to chart my course this weekend on its maiden voyage.
Also got the Bimini top back on, and installed a spinner on the steering wheel. I will be re-painting the seat base and installing it this week, then getting on to building the cabinet for the sink and cutting board is on the next list.
Still making progress on the toon. Most importantly, worked on cranking up the motor last night.
After getting a fuel tank situated for testing purposes, I comenced to hooking up power. I checked twice to make sure which side was hot/cold, check. Got throttle and gear shifter connected properly, check. Water running on foot, check. Turn the key, nothing. No clicks, lights, nothing. Hmmmmm.
So I called the Senile Old Coot, (EricM) to come take a look. He started looking things over, checking things off a list in his head.....and that's when we realized the battery cables are on backwards. What a dang rookie mistake! Good thing there was a 30amp fuse on the motor. Got that replaced, switched the cables and it has power now.
Now for fuel, got it all hooked up and started priming the bulb....hmm, seems the connector for a Honda is different, so I cut connectors off, clamp them in a new configuation, still not getting any pressure. NOW I realize I have the fuel going the wrong direction through the bulb. (guess I got up too early?) So after switching the connectors around the proper way, we have it pumping right.
Got the water running in the foot, and then realize the battery was not strong enough, change battery out. We finally got everything right and it took about a minute of cranking to get the fuel pushed through and it fired up and purred like a kitten. Gear shifter works good, and its ready for a test drive on the lake!
Trolling motor installed, just have to decide where Im going to put the three trolling batteries, in the back, I have to run lots of high dollar wire to the front, (24' remember) or up front, where to put them out of the way?
I also got the power finalized on the sonar with a fuse installed, fired it up last night, all is well there and I am itching to hit the water!!!!!!
Well, I got to hit the lake today, put in at Parksville about 5ish and after a warmup, put the hammer down. I was dissapointed in the speed, it only hit 23 MPH today, but I know I need to change the height of the motor for sure. That should give me a couple more, maybe even 30 but not counting on it at this point. It was a pretty big relief to be running around the lake though, the rest of the work is gravy from here on out.
I did try for a short time for a yellow perch, but no bites and I didnt care much! LOL
I got my motor raised up where it should be which helped with the backsplash I was getting, added very little to the overall speed, but its at least in the correct place now. Tested it on Parksvlle again tonight. I ave had my Motorguide Digital T motor for a couple years, but its really killer on the toon. Nothing like controlling from 20' away.
I cant remember, its either a 16 or a 19 if I remember what Eric told me it had on it. I want whatever will give me the most top end torque, obviously dont need the hole shot. Any ideas?
I got tired of people asking how many RPM's I was turning while I was complaining about top speed....LOL, so I took it upon myself to get it hooked up tonight. I got with The "Ol Coot, EricM, and he researched the wire harness for me and came up with a plan using the colors included in the factory harness.
I used the Tach that was on the boat when I bought it, since it looked a little better than the one of my old boat I salvaged. I got it hooked up and cranked up the motor. It would only read 1K or 1200K and that's it. A call to Eric to confirm the colors one more time, we concluded the tach was not acting right. So I hooked up the other one I and, cranked the motor, Success! It works great. I cant wait to get it back on the water again.
So if the tach is hooked up properly, and we think it is, I am only getting 3500 RPM's right now WOT with the 16" on it. I have a guy getting me a 13 to try out for tomorrow.
So my quest for the proper set-up is ongoing. Taking in all the ideas I have heard, I concluded that the tach was working, and the prop was too large. I called Performance Propeller this AM and talked to Tim. He thinks a 13 would be the best, and is not sure at all my tach is working properly, saying if all I was getting was 3500 RPM's, the boat would essentialy be stationary. I really dont look forward to dropping a $100 on a tach, but its looking like I need to before going any further.
both because the DNR may not approve, or they may attempt to twist liability should some idiot managed to hit your toon. See: 