2004 420DB Sedan Bridge - Fair Game - Project Thread

[CougarCruiser]

What engine did you go with? What is the hull weight? What is the total weight? I know the aluminum ones cost a bit more, but are a lot lighter than double hulled fiberglass.

The boat itself is rated for a 20hp long shaft. The 12' version is rated up to a 30, but is only 6-9 inches longer. Most of the 11's that I have seen run at least a 25. That being said, going from a nissan/tohatsu 25 to a 30 is only a tuning change. It's the exact same motor. 5hp for a couple hundred bucks.

I'm trying to rig it with a 30hp, fuel injected, power tilt/trim, etc... Might sound way overpowered, but I don't think that boat performs that well with the 20hp. So, it should be 'just right'. (I'm not a small person either, and will be hauling 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 dogs... )

I think the boat will weigh in 500-550lbs wet. That would include the garmin GPS, extra fuel, gear, etc that I'm installing. They say the 11alx is about 285lbs dry, the motor is about 180 I believe... add fuel... and you are at 500lbs before any equipment is added.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Which Garmin unit are you rigging the dink with? I'm looking to add a small unit to my dink. Thanks

 

[CougarCruiser]

Which Garmin unit are you rigging the dink with? I'm looking to add a small unit to my dink. Thanks

Garmin 70S with a transom transducer. Mounted in a Seaview articulating pod on the top of the console. If you are tight on space, the Garmin 50s is a good choice too. I wanted a nice map layout, and a decent setup for depth, water temp, and speed.

http://www.boemarine.com/garmin-echomap-70s-chartplotter-sounder-combo-w-transom-mount-transducer/

 

[Hampton]

I have a 25 Tohatsu (rated max), power everything on my 10.5' double bottom fiberglass. I like the performance. Would love to have 5 more HP. I just put on a SS prop. I have trim tabs - they really help get the bow down. My boat weighs 185 plus 185 for motor, add the seat and helm (Eurohelm) and accessories and I'm up to 450 pounds. The weight back there is significant. Try to keep it to a minimum. For longer cruises, move some gear out of the dinghy if you need the range. Getting the bow down can be tough. I have to run at 26.5 mph minimum. That's around 40gph. We're loaded down pretty well.

 

[CougarCruiser]

Thanks for the advice hampton. I am being as cautious as possible with the weight. I need to pull the props and, will probably take a degree or 2 out of the pitch. I was hoping to maybe squeeze in a larger trim tab, but I don't think the hull shape allows for much more.

 

[KnotEasy]

It sounds like you intend to use the dink as the primary vessel with all this stuff being added. I always thought a dink was for
getting to and from shore, or an occasional run up the lake for lunch, not as a boat outfitted for cruising the family of 3 for days.

I don't even have half the stuff on my boat that you will have on a RIB, and don't miss not having any of it. Should be one of the
most admired dinghy's on the sound. Enjoy.

 

[CougarCruiser]

It sounds like you intend to use the dink as the primary vessel with all this stuff being added. I always thought a dink was for
getting to and from shore, or an occasional run up the lake for lunch, not as a boat outfitted for cruising the family of 3 for days.

I don't even have half the stuff on my boat that you will have on a RIB, and don't miss not having any of it. Should be one of the
most admired dinghy's on the sound. Enjoy.

Having an an equipped tender allows us to extend and expand our ability to explore and enjoy a different type of boating. Many areas in the Pacific Northwest are boating destinations.... Anchored or in port. A larger tender allows you to have a home base, and the ability to go longer distances to explore, go crabbing, light watersports for the kids, etc. my son will thoroughly enjoy a couple hours out with dad going fast, going slow, checking out a beach or shoal, or checking the crab pots. Of course it will also be used for just ship to shore....

I am sure I would survive with a minimalist tender... But for me, the tinkering is half the fun.

 

[randerson]

Having an an equipped tender allows us to extend and expand our ability to explore and enjoy a different type of boating. Many areas in the Pacific Northwest are boating destinations.... Anchored or in port. A larger tender allows you to have a home base, and the ability to go longer distances to explore, go crabbing, light watersports for the kids, etc. my son will thoroughly enjoy a couple hours out with dad going fast, going slow, checking out a beach or shoal, or checking the crab pots. Of course it will also be used for just ship to shore....

I am sure I would survive with a minimalist tender... But for me, the tinkering is half the fun.

:thumbsup:

 

[CougarCruiser]

Over the last couple of months, I have been amassing all sorts of electronics to do a full audio/video overhaul - which I will update on later... but I wanted to give a shout out to Nautical Creations. He's a shop out of the midewest and makes custom radar/satellite mounts.

I asked him to make me a 2 level mount for a KVH Tracvision, and a Garmin radar. I know the standard item that most use is the Seaview product, but Will set me up for a super easy retrofit. He uses quality materials, the welds are great. I had him customize my plates - specificially the base plate is made to be an exact fit over the Raymarine radar array that was on the boat. No new holes in the arch! The radar plate is specific for the 18" Garmin units, and the satellite plate ready for the KVH to bolt right up. He supplied me a new aluminum mast and LED anchor light as well.

Oh, the price was way less than the seaview. He can do just about anything you need -- wings, bigger, smaller, etc. Check him out: http://nauticalcreations.com/index.html

(I get/got nothing out of this post -- just a kudos for a guy who did a great job for me and was very fair/reasonable with the price, and was great to work with)

 

[Irie308]

Do you mind sharing the cost savings percentage wise over a comparable seaview mount?

 

[CougarCruiser]

Do you mind sharing the cost savings percentage wise over a comparable seaview mount?

Basic setup from nautical creations is about 750 with the LED light mast. Seaview you have to buy the mount (650ish), the light mast (175ish), the light (80ish), the satellite top plate (100ish). that's about $1000 bucks. So, about a 25% savings. Still 15-20% cheaper if you find 'the best deal ever' on the items.

The big benefit is that the nautical creations is solid. No adapter plates. If you want a wedge angle on the radar, he can do it as part of the unit. There's no adapter plates. No screws to come loose.

 

[Irie308]

Sounds good! Particularly like the fact that you were able to reuse your existing holes in the arch.

 

[CougarCruiser]

Finally picked up T/T Fair Game. Got her home yesterday, and now the wait for the davit kicks in. Should happen this month some time, then a cover made.

I found a great option for us -- a AB 11ALX aluminum hull console. I had it rigged with a 30 (rated for a 20), so she should not have issues with hole shot or hauling 4-5 people around on plane. The motor is fuel injected, power tilt, trim, etc. I was surprised to find out this boat needed a long shaft.

During rigging, I added some odds and ends... A garmin 70S w/ transducer (which was DOA and I am working on what to do about that), a Faria tach/hour meter combo, a JBL stereo with JL speakers in the bench, Blue LED Courtesy lights, and a blue transom LED underwater light. My dealer had a nice step pad that we added for guests (kids) boarding the boat. It's a short reach to the console rail to help with balance as well.

We put a custom bow tank in, and made a custom mount to push it as far forward as possible. I have room for a little 1.5 gallon get-home tank for emergencies.

The amount of storage in the boat is amazing.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Wow what a great tender, I love the set up. You gave me a few ideas. The JBL stereo(guage) is a way to install a stereo and not take up a large amount of space on the dash I havent seen that before . Did your dealer suggest the sting ray fin for planning? My nuvarania has trim tabs and I was wondering if I need the fin also? Do you have a platform on the big boat? Good luck with it.
im surprised you didn't install a VHF unless you plan on using a handheld?

 

[CougarCruiser]

Wow what a great tender, I love the set up. You gave me a few ideas. The JBL stereo(guage) is a way to install a stereo and not take up a large amount of space on the dash I havent seen that before . Did your dealer suggest the sting ray fin for planning? My nuvarania has trim tabs and I was wondering if I need the fin also? Do you have a platform on the big boat? Good luck with it.
im surprised you didn't install a VHF unless you plan on using a handheld?

Dealer puts those hydrofins on all of their tenders. Their opinion is that the hydrofoil is more effective than the tabs until you get up into the heavier boats -- 500+ pounds. I have some challenges with space for the tabs -- the underwater lights and transducer was more important to me. So we'll try this setup, and add tabs if needed.

I have a handheld VHF that I will use. I can always add a fixed mount if needed, but the wife said I have to stop at some point and just use it to see if I need anything else.

I'm in process of putting a lifting davit on the platform - called a Nick Jackson Transom Davit. 2 armed pivoting lift with a electronic motor.

 

[CougarCruiser]

While the Davit is being built, I have started undertaking a complete Audio/Video overhaul and have a navigation electronics upgrade in progress (that one is going to take a while).

Back in the fall, I got a KVH Satellite setup, and all new Fusion audio Gear. I'll be upgrading the exterior speakers to JL Audio, and creating 3 core zones via the Fusion - Salon, Bridge, Cockpit.

Work has started during a break in the weather to get the satellite installed. Had to pull the canvas back off the rigid framed arch. The Nautical Creations Tower was custom made for a KVH TV3, a Garmin 18 radar, and a integrated LED Anchor light. The bolt pattern for the mount was made to match the previous Raymarine array that was froze up and stuck (completely inoperable). We took the time to remove an old horn that was inoperable, and the RayNav GPS was full of water and inoperable as well. Cleaned up the top of the arch so that only this mount, and the Glomex TV antenna remain. All holes sealed with 4200 and water tight.





Down Below we're tearing the salon entertainment center apart to upgrade the audio to a new Fusion head unit. Removing the hard switched zones, and integrating in the satellite components. We're running HDMI and Coax to both staterooms and the bridge as well. We're bringing down a NMEA 2000 backbone to the salon for the Fusion head unit, the new KVH unit, and anymore future items. The Fusion remote replaces the Clarion in the stock location, and we'll also have control of the system from the Garmin UI when the chartplotter is replaced.




A bunch of other odds and ends being worked on as well... which I will post up later about. Spring commissioning is coming together!

 

[Tomco]

If we are able to upgrade, this is the boat I would like! Following your improvements with great interest, thanks for sharing with us. You have an absolutely fantastic boat!

 

[CougarCruiser]

A before and after shot of the new Forward Stateroom TV. We pulled out the old CRT unit, made a blank panel, and mounted a 22" Samsung widescreen and added a Samsung Blue Ray player.

This will wire in via HDMI to the DirecTV receiver in the salon, while also having OTA antenna as source, and of course the Blu Ray player. Mounted the TV a bit high, so we can find a way to better utilize the shelf space where the blue ray is (currently panel'd, but may put in a storage pocket or something)

The before:




The During - You get the old out by removing screws holding the tv in the cabinet from a panel via the closet. Here is what you get when you get the TV out:



The after:

 

[CougarCruiser]

Spring Commissioning continues. As the round 1 of electronics upgrades have wrapped up (the audio/video) -- Now onto the davit system for the dinghy.

I looked at every davit system available - at all pricepoints. From basic Weaver tilt ups, to SeaLift platforms. I want to retain the ability to have a an effective stern thruster. I needed access to the storage locker, but I also really wanted to keep the tender in a horizontal position. I looked at Nautley's, but just didn't like the amount of work that was still needed to load/launch. I looked at sea lift platforms and just couldn't bring myself to the 27k installed price tag. Locally in the Pac NW, we have a couple other transom lift options. I ended up with a Nick Jackson transom davit with compression pull posts. These are custom made for the boat, secured with brackets and bracing to the internal stringers and hull structure, and have an amsteel winch cable to lift and lower the boat horizontally. By the time we're all said and done, this is a viable solution that is about 3X the price of a nautley H30, but about 1/3 the price of a sea lift installed. It's aluminum, and color matched to the sea ray color.

Here's a picture of the initial install that started this morning. Hopefully by the end of the weekend, it will be done including a custom amsteel lifting briddle, leaving only the tender cover to wrap up. Off the starboard side of my boat, you will see my slip neighbor's davit - also a Nick Jackson. You can get an idea of what the cover will be like based on that 'background'

Come on Spring!

 

[Bottom Line]

A before and after shot of the new Forward Stateroom TV. We pulled out the old CRT unit, made a blank panel, and mounted a 22" Samsung widescreen and added a Samsung Blue Ray player.

This will wire in via HDMI to the DirecTV receiver in the salon, while also having OTA antenna as source, and of course the Blu Ray player. Mounted the TV a bit high, so we can find a way to better utilize the shelf space where the blue ray is (currently panel'd, but may put in a storage pocket or something)

The before:

View attachment 39111


The During - You get the old out by removing screws holding the tv in the cabinet from a panel via the closet. Here is what you get when you get the TV out:

View attachment 39114

The after:

View attachment 39112

Looks great! Any additional pics of how you mounted the Samsung?