ben2go
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2008
- Messages
- 411
Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)
Inquiring minds would like to know.
Inquiring minds would like to know.
Ok, so the boat was in rough shape cosmetically but was in pretty good shape overall. First thing I did when I got her home was took a long nap, it was a rough trip going to northern virginia to pick her up and a semi almost killed me on the way home. My truck did not appreciate the trip through the mountains at all! I got started by pulling off the coaming pads, they were original and just shot. You can see in the above pics all the teak had been dark stained for some reason by the previous owners. I took all the teak off and started sanding. I also bought some rough lumber teak to make some step pads for the gunnels. Bow pulpit, boxes under helm chairs, door for cuddy, and rear seat supports are all teak. I removed the side gunnel boxes and boxes under the helm seats to paint them because they were faded badly. Didn't have alot of cash to put into the boat at this point, so I was doing what I could afford. I am a big fan of teak and do realize its not for everyone because it does take constant maintenance to keep it looking good. I have thought about west systems or something comparable but for now teak oil will be the protectant.
Sorry to hear that. If it's any consolation, we can say I blew a head gasket in your honor :facepalm:
Here is the light housing with 145 leds installed behind glass. These are one color lights just for testing. I will make a longer version also with 300 leds in them. Think this will work out well, we shall see. Still alot of fab work and modifications probably, but its getting there. everything will be soldiered and the material I am using will act as its own heat sink.
Sorry about your lower unit and all...logs, grinding sounds, yada, yada, yada....
Ok, well, the next two things I think are very cool! I had been looking for some led interior lighting for under the new gunnel rod holders and a couple other places. I found what I wanted, they are Rgb lights, they can change 7 differnet colors and you can dim them as much as you want. I love that fact they dim because different conditions can call for different shades of light and brightness. I will be using the red mainly at night while underway. Red doesn't effect your night vision. I will be using the white at night while cleaning the boat, loading fish, or rigging Lines. Will use the other colors just because they are cool looking. lol They come with a remote and can flash, fade, dim, or static on each color. I am very pleased with the product and can't wait to use them on the water. The pics are of the boat sitting in the driveway, My camera does not do real well with the blue and red colors.
Install took time, but they were pretty easy to install. They have a control box that I mounted under the helm. The control box is where all your wiring goes to for the lights. I mounted this control box next to the side scan box for the lowrance. Again, easy access and the power is coming from the new buss teminal which has its own fuses.
You can see the install below, I simply scribed the light profile onto the rod holder, then with a zip router, carefully routed out the profile. Then all I had to do is run the lights all the way through, remove the self stick backing tape and apply. I then ran the wiring to the lights through the gunnels and up to the control box under the helm.
Ok guys, I'm back. Sorry for the no replies lately or for the last couple months. Life has a way of getting in the way and my time had to be refocused for a bit.
I am back now and have a few things in the works, though most of them not boat related.
I did finally get my radar shipped out. The unit had water in it and I will say Lowrance service was second to none in my transaction with them. Total turn around time was ten days from me shipping it to them. They sent me the 3g model instead of replacing the 2g model. SWEEEEET! Anyway all good there.
The underwater lights are still being modified and worked up, I have had very little time to do much with it, but that will be changing here soon.
The boat is at idel in the drive and I plan on leaving it that way until funds will permit the new outdrive install. Probably won't see the water tell next spring, but thats ok, because I really don't have the time to use it right now anyway.
Hope all is well with my friends here and again, sorry for the delay in response, I will go back later and answer/respond anything I have missed.
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