Running wires under hull

[Punta Gorda]

Hi folks (Fellow Boaters)! I just purchased a 2008 Kenner 1902 Vision, center console. The boat is in beautiful shape but came with no electronics or electric trolling motor. It was pre-wired for the trolling motor so that is no problem. I have the electric installed plus the onboard charger. I have the fishfinder to install on the console but, try as I may, have not been able to fish the cable from the transducer to the console. Any suggestions on what I could try? I purchased an electrictricians tape but have not been able to fish it from the opening in the consul to the opening in the compartment in the rear. Thanks!

 

[Alumarine]

If there's an existing wire for something else going from the console to the compartment you could use it to pull a fish wire through and then use the fish wire to pull the original and new wire back.

 

[Punta Gorda]

Hi folks (Fellow Boaters)! I just purchased a 2008 Kenner 1902 Vision, center console. The boat is in beautiful shape but came with no electronics or electric trolling motor. It was pre-wired for the trolling motor so that is no problem. I have the electric installed plus the onboard charger. I have the fishfinder to install on the console but, try as I may, have not been able to fish the cable from the transducer to the console. Any suggestions on what I could try? I purchased an electrictricians tape but have not been able to fish it from the opening in the consul to the opening in the compartment in the rear. Thanks!

Thanks for the idea! I wonder which wire would be best to use? I assume probably one of the larger diameter?

 

[dingbat]

You should have a dedicated wire conduit in there somewhere
Do you not have one?

 

[Punta Gorda]

You should have a dedicated wire conduit in there somewhere
Do you not have one?

Have looked high and low for it from both ends with no luck. The existing wires and hoses are bundled together with zip ties on each end.

 

[Alumarine]

Thanks for the idea! I wonder which wire would be best to use? I assume probably one of the larger diameter?

It doesn't have to be too big. #14 would be fine.
Just be careful not to pull too hard if it hangs up.

 

[Punta Gorda]

It doesn't have to be too big. #14 would be fine.
Just be careful not to pull too hard if it hangs up.

Good advice! One problem is the transducer cable has a non-removable plug in on the end that is 1" in diameter. I'll let you know how I make out.

 

[Grub54891]

*sometimes* You have to find a new route. Up under the gunnels or someplace easier to go.

 

[gm280]

I have no idea what your layout looks like. But if you can pull one wire out, like talked about above, make sure you pull a heavy wire or rope along with it. And then maybe you could pull a flexible PVC type pipe back in so you could easily slide in other wires. Just and idea.

 

[Captain Caveman]

I *just* did the same thing yesterday. Busting through six inches of ice last fall ripped the transducer off of my boat. Luckily I was able to tie a string onto the old transducer cable as I pulled it out through the opening towards the back of the boat. I attached the new cable with the same non-removable plug (Lowrance) and it immediately got stuck. I then pushed my metal fish tape from the console hole back to the aft hold where the plug was stuck. I taped the plug to the fish tape and pulled it up pulling on both the string and the fish tape. It wasn't as easy as I would have liked due to steering cables and other wires utilizing the same path, but it eventually went.

The key was taping the plug so that it pulled straight instead of "turning it's head" if I only pulled on the wire leading to the plug.

Good luck

 

[Punta Gorda]

I *just* did the same thing yesterday. Busting through six inches of ice last fall ripped the transducer off of my boat. Luckily I was able to tie a string onto the old transducer cable as I pulled it out through the opening towards the back of the boat. I attached the new cable with the same non-removable plug (Lowrance) and it immediately got stuck. I then pushed my metal fish tape from the console hole back to the aft hold where the plug was stuck. I taped the plug to the fish tape and pulled it up pulling on both the string and the fish tape. It wasn't as easy as I would have liked due to steering cables and other wires utilizing the same path, but it eventually went.

The key was taping the plug so that it pulled straight instead of "turning it's head" if I only pulled on the wire leading to the plug.

Good luck

Had good luck today. In the process of looking for a pull wire, I found a small rubber hose (~1/8" ID) that ran from the cockpit to the battery compartment and out to the transom. It was actually partially concealed in the wire and cable bundle. The hose was open ended on both ends. I was able to tape my electricians snake to the hose and pull the snake from the console to the battery compartment. I then taped the transducer cable to the hose and snake, taping the plug in snugly as suggested. I was then able to pull everything back to the cockpit and still have the hose for next time. The only intended use for the hose I could figure was a vent for the cockpit? Awfully small vent if it was. Anyway, it looks like clear sailing now. Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[Alumarine]

Glad you got it done.
I think the hose was for the speedometer. Does it work?
Maybe someone ran a new one and left the old one.

 

[dingbat]

Had good luck today. In the process of looking for a pull wire, I found a small rubber hose (~1/8" ID) that ran from the cockpit to the battery compartment and out to the transom. It was actually partially concealed in the wire and cable bundle. The hose was open ended on both ends. I was able to tape my electricians snake to the hose and pull the snake from the console to the battery compartment. I then taped the transducer cable to the hose and snake, taping the plug in snugly as suggested. I was then able to pull everything back to the cockpit and still have the hose for next time. The only intended use for the hose I could figure was a vent for the cockpit? Awfully small vent if it was. Anyway, it looks like clear sailing now. Thanks for all the suggestions!

Guessing it was either the pivot tube for a speedometer or a hose for a water pressure gauge

 

[Ray74]

Use some liquid dish soap to make pulling the wire easier. Also attach something to the cable you are pulling ( i like weedeater line) incase you have to pull anything else in the future. Then you already have something there to pull it with.