180 SS New to the Forums.

[appleo]

HI there Two Questions:

Got a photo of the finished rear compartments under the spashwell?

What brand paint for the white motor?

 

[Watermann]

Moeller Johnson white. https://www.iboats.com/shop/moeller...RQMsvu_cCifxtgWelPBEJlh-bJjNwNShoCiAIQAvD_BwE

 

[DirtyHarry83]

I am writing to say hello, and that I am still working on the boat.

It's a funny thing for me to work on this project. I keep finding things to add, or modify, and the bright side is that I am going to hopefully enjoy it more due to the extreme slowness. Yeah, I'll go with that argument.

I hope to get some work in this weekend.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Some hatches. Fun stuff!

This is my initial test fit.

I have here my next hatch test fit.

Now all three covered.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

It isn't perfect but the hatches fit snugly.

Here are some photos of the loop webbing I decided to use.

Here are a few shots of the hatches.

My kids love to sit on the bow deck and watch me work in my garage.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

I've also placed the stern deck supports. I don't plan to have anyone stand here for an extended period of time but I'd rather be satisfied that my aluminum won't bend under the weight of someone standing there.

It's not shown in the photo but each side of the deck has a piece of plywood that mirrors the shape of each deck. All of these pieces are sealed with 3 coats of epoxy. After I am done dealing with fuel lines, filters, mounts, and electrical. I'll see about building temporary forms for pour in foam. This will add flotation to each side of what will be the heaviest portion of the boat.

I'll be placing my fuel filter on the port side.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

I am also working on the engine and systems battery tray. The wood's sealed but I am still plotting how I want to mount the bracket. I am also building custom rod under gunnel storage.

 

[Watermann]

Finishing touches it looks like to me, you're not too far off from a splash. Nice fit on those hatches :thumb:

 

[Tnstratofam]

Really looking good. The hatches turned out slick. :encouragement:

 

[classiccat]

She's really comin' along there DH! The bow area looks cozy!

 

[crankbait cowboy]

looking real good harry , curious as to adhesive you used for your carpet to aluminum, and also carpet to epoxed wood?

 

[BWR1953]

Looking great! That hatch fitment is awesome! :joyous:

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Thanks!

looking real good harry , curious as to adhesive you used for your carpet to aluminum, and also carpet to epoxed wood?

I am using a contact cement. It works really well on exterior surfaces that are constantly exposed to heat, cold and the elements. I took that information and judged that it would hold well on a boat that will live indoors when not in use.

Time will tell if the adhesive holds.

What will work in my favor is that a lot of the larger surfaces are held down at the edges with trim or have additional adherence with other fasteners that hold other items down.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

PROGRESS!

I have here one battery tray, formally installed over the bilge. Seemed solid enough. A little foreshadowing. I ran into an issue of time lost and forgotten install method.

Sealed the battery tray, the throttle control mount and my fuel/water separator mount.

I ran into a slight issue due to the use of thicker and better plywood for my dash.

It was due to old steering wheel spacer.

So, I bought a sheet of 1/2 plastic and made my own.

Much better.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Concept dash layout. The wheel isn't installed yet, just some ideal layout.

Next up, we get into wiring.

I saved the old work to just get an idea of how things were before I demoed the boat.

WHAT THE HECK IS THIS MESS... WHY!?!?!

Quick! Which wire does what?

I got out my trusty volt meter, checked my voltage and I'll be redoing the wiring. All copper is "tinned" and all ends are heat shrink ready.

More to come.

 

[Watermann]

Sounds great Harry, now where's our pics! :lol:

 

[classiccat]

Hindsight is always 20:20 (Wire labels/tags) :lol:

Seeing that reminded me of this super-safe harness tape machine.

I'm willing to bet that there are hashmarks somewhere keeping track of the # of digits that it claimed!

 

[DirtyHarry83]

That harness I showed had the previous owners fish finder and or GPS tied to it with blue wire bridging connectors. There wasn't even a fuse block.

Maybe I am just old fashioned to expect a fuse block.

I may not do my work to industry code, but I definitely do the work to allow for isolation. It's easier for me to manage and easier to spot possible points of failure.

I haven't decided on what wrapping I'd want to use.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

I see what you meant by super safe tape machine.
Holy cow. My fingers hurt just picturing all of the wrong that might happen while using that tool.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Small update.
So, over the time spent on this project. I've misplaced? Yeah, we'll go with misplaced my mounting bolts to the throttle controls. I did a hunt for the replacement bolts to make my life "easier". No luck. Heck, time to check the Home Despot.

Wouldn't you know it. My luck turned a little to my favor.

Yes, the bolt is fully threaded with no shoulder but it fits in the hole. It's more than long enough for what I need in mounting the controls and I have rubber washers to act as a stand in for the plastic spacer.

I was pondering my next concern (there are many!) and decided to plan out my radio mounting. It was a free radio from my Dad and I don't look a gift horse in the mouth. The radio lacks a U bracket. I take a peek online to see plastic U brackets, metal adjustable brackets.

Heck with that! I'll just take some flat bar aluminum and make my own.

Primer and paint.

Have a good day folks. I am getting there. Slowly.