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Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Ok, so trying to get my final plans together for two pretty major wintertime projects on SOUTHPAWS. I'll be doing both these projects in tandem so only one single huge mess will be made on the boat. Hope to finish both projects off before april-ish.
Be forewarned, these projects may upset the Hatteras purist, lots of chopping/cutting going to be happening, but in the end both projects are to make the boat more functional for us to use.
Project 1
Cockpit Mezzanine.
Project 2
Transom Baitwells & Tuna tubes.
Still VERY much in the planning stages of both these projects. I have some comped ideas I'm going to be posting in this thread. I happily accept all critique and criticism (constructive) at this point in the project. So please voice your thoughts/opinions.
Here is the cockpit basically as it sits today.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7875/...929ed64b_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7881/...0015057d_c.jpg
Here is my fav layout idea so far. The goal is to have 3 refrigerated storage holds that can be used as refrigerated storage, freezer storage or fishbox. I've labeled what I feel each will primarily be used for.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4817/...27ca0dc2_c.jpg
The mezzanine project's main goal is to de-clutter our cockpit. We currently have to carry a 250qt engel cooler (for fishbox), a 120qt drink cooler (for drinks) and a 25qt cooler (for bait) in the cockpit. With this mezzanine layout all of those coolers disappear instantly.
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Project 2 is transom baitwells and tuna tubes (Bait Socks).
Here is an old photo of the cockpit from the yard, is the only pic I have from this angle so it will have to do.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7887/...728045cc_c.jpg
Here is a very rough comp
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7826/...5d8d6ec4_c.jpg
In a nutshell, each corner will get an oval shaped baitwell that will also serve as twin super-bomb sized tuna tubes capable of holding 40-50lb yellowfin sized baits. Along the center transom will be a row of Blackfin size Bait Socks for holding smaller baits like blackfin tuna, bonito, skipjacks.etc.
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
One question I do have is regarding coring material. What core material should I use for the mezannine top and the mezannine hatches? I will thru-bolt hinges where possible but inevitably there will probably be some that have to be screwed.
In my head I was thinking 5/8" or 3/4" nidacore for the deck of the mezzanine, not sure what to use on the lids....?
For the tuna tube setup I was thinking 1/2" nidacore with scored nida core to make the radius's.
Will probably be using a non-blushing epoxy for the entire project. I know it's more expensive, but I'm familiar with the product and have become accustomed to working with it. If you guys think I should use fiberglass resin please explain why and what product exactly. Thanks,.
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Here is another comp of the mezzanine without all the blue lines. The blue lines on all these drawings signify the separation of the holds.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4894/...be92c9b3_c.jpg
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Here is a mezzanine comp without any writing or colors, just the lids outlined.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4814/...b0ff050b_c.jpg
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
This is kinda the layout we are going for. Of course we won't have teak and it won't be this nice, but it def will not be a bubba job.
https://www.jarrettbay.com/wp-conten...e/dsc_2741.jpg
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Going to be a great project, not sure but I might be the only one here that's added a full mezzanine from scratch.
We started by ripping out very nice fiberglass cockpit lockers. What made our storage part really work was cutting the deck out allowing extra depth.
There's so many items to plan for, spent a year thinking about our project and still ran into some unexpected issues, must have measured 15 different mezzanines on boats and also had at least 50 photos from the internet to review.
Some initial thoughts, the 52c cockpit isn't super huge (long) to begin with so you should think about the scale of everything. The Viking 50 and 52 mezzanines were very helpful although we kept everything straight. Also, you don't have a lot of height from the cockpit floor to the door sill which will limit you some unless you want to make the mezz deck level higher in front of the boxes stepping down to the door. Have scene this on a few boats and it can work.
Not sure Nidacore is the way to go because you're going to want as much insulation as possible.
What are you going to line the boxes with and what about insulation?
Are they going to be refrigerated? Have a great source for both stainless liners and or wrapping them with copper and the refrigeration piece. We have 4 boxes, a pair of compressors, each handle 2 boxes and each of the 4 boxes can be a fridge or freezer, compressors work on air. or air and water. ! unit runs our bait freezer and drink box which is always on. the other runs a large box in the step and our bait box which is under the long side of the mezz deck.
Sorry to be long.
Have a few thoughts for you. Have you thought about placing the tuna tubes in the side gunnels instead of the transom?
My reason for the sides would to allow you to put the live wells in the middle instead of the corners.
On our the biggest mistake was not making the drink box taller, it's a few inches taller than the bench but could have gone up closer to the window level.
Don't forget that masking tape is your friend for figuring out the layout.
Please checkout our photos here on Sams, feel fee to send me a pm if you would like to speak.
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Cricket
Not sure Nidacore is the way to go because you're going to want as much insulation as possible.
What are you going to line the boxes with and what about insulation?
Sorry to be long.
Have a few thoughts for you. Have you thought about placing the tuna tubes in the side gunnels instead of the transom?
My reason for the sides would to allow you to put the live wells in the middle instead of the corners.
On our the biggest mistake was not making the drink box taller, it's a few inches taller than the bench but could have gone up closer to the window level.
Don't forget that masking tape is your friend for figuring out the layout.
Please checkout our photos here on Sams, feel fee to send me a pm if you would like to speak.
Thank you so much for the feedback. So I'm understanding you did the mezz on a 50?
This project has been rolling around in my head literally since I first stepped foot on the boat before we purchased it. I've walked many a dock just looking at mezzanines.
Was looking to nida core just as the structural 'skins'. I'll be using a foam insulation of some variety to insulate the holds. I was thinking 2" of foam on all sides, is that enough? not enough?
The side gunnels scare me on the tuna tubes b/c of the cockpit drainage channels. I really don't want to disrupt those unless I have to.
The transom gunnel is VERY narrow on this boat compared to others like viking. I'll be cutting into what is there, adding 1 row of tubes and the overall width/thickness of the gunnel cap should be comparable to vikings without tubes. So I don't think we will really loose much there.
Yes, all the boxes will be refrigerated. I'd LOVE to hear/see what you did and any sources you may have. I'd like to user plates where possible but b/c of the shape/lids on the fishbox I'll probably have to wrap it. I was planning on diy'ing the system and use it on water only. If there's a way to do air and/or water that would be awesome.
I'd also like to hear how you cool 4 boxes on 2 compressors. I was planning on having 3 compressors (1 for each box). Can you independently control the temp of each box with your setup?
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2 Attachment(s)
Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Cricket
Going to be a great project, not sure but I might be the only one here that's added a full mezzanine from scratch.
We started by ripping out very nice fiberglass cockpit lockers. What made our storage part really work was cutting the deck out allowing extra depth.
I'll pm you my contact info, I'd really like to chat about it. But if it's ok with you I'd like to discuss as much as possible here so others can maybe benefit from it?
I was not planning on cutting the floor up, but you've got me thinking that might be a good thing to do. I'm not sure exactly how much height it will gain me, but if it gains 6" or more it would definitely be worth it.
I see you built yours out of ply (great photos by the way, I just looked at all of them). I will likely be building mine in-place on the boat. Working with wood sure would make things easier.....
Plywood has an R value of approx 1. Nidacore has R value of 3.3. So if insulation is a deciding factor Nidacore wins hands down. Of course nidacore is exponentially more expensive than plywood, but for this project we won't need a ton of material so cost difference should only be a couple hundred dollars....
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Great Project!! Cricket, your boat looks awesome. For 13 years, I had custom boats, and just sold my last one for a 2008 60 hatt GT. They all had mezzanines, and are totally worth the price to get it right. I had one compressor for a freezer, one for a ice maker that would dump out into one of the holds of the mezzanine. Not sure a separate one is necessary for the drinks alone. For one, try to keep the numbers of compressors down to a minimum, as they will/do break. Use a good insulation material for drinks, and dump the ice in to keep them cold.
What is your plan for engine room access? The way you have it drawn looks like it will be too tight. It is a pain trying to get equipment, buckets, out if not big enough. Are the in deck fish boxes not big enough? You might find it's tough having a big enough fish box as part of the mezzanine. One cool combo on one of my boats was a rounded compartment on one side of the mezzanine, that was maybe 2.5' diameter, 3 ft depth, used as the ice dump/livewell. We transferred all ice prior to using the live well. Was a good space saving idea.
I wouldn't use Vikings for comparisons, as their mezzanines are very short from back to front, not very comfortable. Track down a custom boat and get the measurements from that.
Here is a photo of my last custom boat's mezzanine, and my new to me Hatt GT's (the camo wrap has been removed, lol)
http://i64.tinypic.com/2vjrklj.png
http://i63.tinypic.com/2cfei43.png
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Wiredup62
What is your plan for engine room access? The way you have it drawn looks like it will be too tight. It is a pain trying to get equipment, buckets, out if not big enough. Are the in deck fish boxes not big enough? You might find it's tough having a big enough fish box as part of the mezzanine. One cool combo on one of my boats was a rounded compartment on one side of the mezzanine, that was maybe 2.5' diameter, 3 ft depth, used as the ice dump/livewell. We transferred all ice prior to using the live well. Was a good space saving idea.
I wouldn't use Vikings for comparisons, as their mezzanines are very short from back to front, not very comfortable. Track down a custom boat and get the measurements from that.
Here is a photo of my last custom boat's mezzanine, and my new to me Hatt GT's (the camo wrap has been removed, lol)
http://i64.tinypic.com/2vjrklj.png
http://i63.tinypic.com/2cfei43.png
Engine room access is going to be tight but doable i think. Engine room access on this boat isn't the greatest to begin with. We will only be removing about 8-10" of the actual engine room access door. I've considered putting a step-down in and may still do it but the engine hatch would have to gull-wing open if I do that.
This boat really doesn't have what I would call in-floor fish boxes. The aft compartment is a tub but it is un-insulated and needs to be able to be removed to access trim tab and steering equipment. the other two hatches lead straight to the aft bilge.
According to my calculations we should end up with approx 15" of height inside the mezz fishbox. Although that is not great it is at least workable for all but the largest tuna. We could reduce the bottom or top insulation and get another inch or two.
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This is how I did mine on my 53c. Maybe there is something there that can help you.
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
harnett
This is how I did mine on my 53c. Maybe there is something there that can help you.
Is that ER access from the unfinished panel? You have a pic of it open by chance?
REALLY like the way your ladder is landed on the face of the mezzanine also. Did you have the ladder fabricated from scratch?
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
rustybucket
NICE! I Have the same boat mine is a 1984. I can see some delam. on your engine room door. Mine is a mess, as is the salon door. Any ideas on what you will do to fix them? I found a 30X74 mobile home storm door that fits perfectly and will install it while I try to figure out what to do with the original door.
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Yes that is the engine room access door. I did have to move the rear fuel tank back a little on the 53c to make that work. The ladder done that way makes for a very gradual ladder to the bridge and allow plenty of room behind it to use the mezz. seat. I was custom made.Attachment 29594
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
harnett
Yes that is the engine room access door. I did have to move the rear fuel tank back a little on the 53c to make that work. The ladder done that way makes for a very gradual ladder to the bridge and allow plenty of room behind it to use the mezz. seat. I was custom made.
Attachment 29594
Wow, well done! Did you fabricate storage inside/below the long 1st step?
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
I'm still working on the lids but yes there are storage bins built into the long step and there will be three lids. I insulated the bin in the step at the door and that is a cooler. I'll post pictures when it's all done.
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
After talking with several people and hashing it out ourselves I think we are leaning toward a split level mezzanine with the starboard side raised higher than port. This accomplishes a couple of things...
1. When seated on the starboard bench your feet will be able to touch the floor
2. Gives us fishbox space for jumbo tuna or multiple smaller
3. Gives us 4 refrigerated boxes.
On the downsides....
1. It makes the engine room access even trickier, not exactly sure what we are going to do here yet.
2. Original plans called for all existing cabinets and lockers to remain in place. With the split I'm thinking we are just going to be ripping everything out.
3. Engine room ventilation. This project will basically cover the cockpit engine vents. May be able to re-route this ventilation under the cockpit? or may have to install hull side vents (like slane) in the future.
This is the current rough-mock up of where we are. I'm going to go to the boat this weekend to re-install the outriggers (been off for detailing) and am going to mock up the mezz with tape and foam insulation so I can really get a feel for it. Will also mock up what the engine room entry will be like and what we will need to do to make that usable.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7811/...2a4d30ab_c.jpg
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Ok, so the biggest problem I have with the current design is engine room access. What if I did a gull door like the pics below (red outline being the new door).
Red lines = engine room door closed
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4860/...251fe008_c.jpg
This is what it would look like with the engine room hatch / gull door open.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7845/...60999a58_c.jpg
It seems to me like this gull wing with a side-ladder entry approach would be quite a bit easier access than I currently have on the boat. Thoughts?
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
crudely edited out the existing engine room hatch lid to give a little better look.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4905/...e8d9fa86_c.jpg
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
For what it is worth.
I have a 65 convertable with a fairly easy engine room access from the cockpit. Raise the lid, open the door, and almost a vertical ladder to the engine room. I still have to watch my head, and bend a little getting in, and then almost 7 foot head room to work. Engines running, gens running and the heat and noise, Big door is nice.
The access is easy when at dock, but when out, and I need to access for inspections, fuel valve changes, and retrieval of tackle it is a little dicey.
My point: At the last boat show, I toured my same boat that had the mezzanine redo with the lowered engine room access. It was difficult for me to gain access, let alone If I had things in my hands. Off shore on rolling seas, in my opinion would be a pain.
Also a customer of mine has a 53 Hatt convertible with the near same mezzanine redo. Going into his engine room is a pain, and almost like going into a house crawl space. I really feel un-easy crawling in at the dock. Once down, it is roomy, just in and out Offshore, rolling, pitching, I might not do it. Imagine if a problem involving steam or smoke.
Just my 2 cents.
Tim
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Honestly right now the engine room access sucks on the boat. You have to turn with your back to the hatch, with nothing in front of you to hold on to. Then step down into the hole and try to find a ladder rung you can't see.
If the ladder remains in the same place on the aft wall. And the access is from the port side. You should be able to clearly see the rung while holding onto the rim of the hatch (or grabrails).
It seems to me like going to side access rather than aft access would make it a LOT easier to gain access to the engine room.
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Trust your judgement, and every bodies needs are different. I love this site to learn more about boating through others experiences. But, if you have to make a 90 degree turn, what if the heavy part or fishing tackle will not bend easily? With my boat, batteries, gaffs, manifolds, heavy engine parts are easier to go in straight and come out straight. You may have to tip a battery to an angle that allows acid to leak?? On my customers Hatt, each battery has to be tipped at such an angle acid drips out the vent caps to pass to the person down inside the engine room.
I have an aluminum ladder segment cut to length, that works as a ramp to slide heavy items from the cockpit down straight into the engine room and enough room for several grown adults to work in that opening. I have slid generators on their pan and complete pumps and manifolds, and of course 8ds up that ladder ramp onto a second ladder laying flat, right into a pickup bed on the dock, and back the same method. No lifting, no straps, no army of people.
Just curious, as I too would like a mezzanine addition, but so far, I have not seen one that has the egress I have now. I have been hit with steam, hot water, 110v and 12v sparks, and sea water while at sea under an emergency. I have even had to feel around the smoke for a battery disconnect and fire extinguisher to put an alternator fire out. Having a straight visual line if sight, and un obstructed way out is the only reason I will attempt entering a engine room under extreme conditions. There are braver people that will rush into that environment, but the comfort that I can get out quickly if things go to crap fast, is a must for me. I have run in and out several times for clean cool air and back in quickly to find the problem and solve it before the problem became a disaster. My battery switches, fuel valves, crash pumps, everything that needs to be isolated while determining the problem is inside that door or all the way in past the engines and generators, on the far bulkhead. I also have 110v and 12v panels and fuel valves on that bulkhead . Along way, with smoke, roaring motors and all the heat. Sorry for the rant.
Again just my opinion, your idea might be the bomb once completed. This is why I bookmarked this thread, I too want a different layout, you may be on to something worth duplicating.
Have a great week,
Tim
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Fish Tales
Trust your judgement, and every bodies needs are different. I love this site to learn more about boating through others experiences. But, if you have to make a 90 degree turn, what if the heavy part or fishing tackle will not bend easily? With my boat, batteries, gaffs, manifolds, heavy engine parts are easier to go in straight and come out straight. You may have to tip a battery to an angle that allows acid to leak?? On my customers Hatt, each battery has to be tipped at such an angle acid drips out the vent caps to pass to the person down inside the engine room.
I have an aluminum ladder segment cut to length, that works as a ramp to slide heavy items from the cockpit down straight into the engine room and enough room for several grown adults to work in that opening. I have slid generators on their pan and complete pumps and manifolds, and of course 8ds up that ladder ramp onto a second ladder laying flat, right into a pickup bed on the dock, and back the same method. No lifting, no straps, no army of people.
Just curious, as I too would like a mezzanine addition, but so far, I have not seen one that has the egress I have now. I have been hit with steam, hot water, 110v and 12v sparks, and sea water while at sea under an emergency. I have even had to feel around the smoke for a battery disconnect and fire extinguisher to put an alternator fire out. Having a straight visual line if sight, and un obstructed way out is the only reason I will attempt entering a engine room under extreme conditions. There are braver people that will rush into that environment, but the comfort that I can get out quickly if things go to crap fast, is a must for me. I have run in and out several times for clean cool air and back in quickly to find the problem and solve it before the problem became a disaster. My battery switches, fuel valves, crash pumps, everything that needs to be isolated while determining the problem is inside that door or all the way in past the engines and generators, on the far bulkhead. I also have 110v and 12v panels and fuel valves on that bulkhead . Along way, with smoke, roaring motors and all the heat. Sorry for the rant.
Again just my opinion, your idea might be the bomb once completed. This is why I bookmarked this thread, I too want a different layout, you may be on to something worth duplicating.
Have a great week,
Tim
Really the bottom line is this.... Yes, in a perfect world engine access would be a breeze with a staircase and nice hand rail and plenty of room to move everything. But in reality, that is not a reality lol. As the engine access currently sits we had to tilt batteries quite a bit to get them in/out. No acid dripped out or anything like that and my entry design in the image above would have them tilting about the same angle.
I'm not sure I agree with the 90deg turn deal. You would climb straight up the ladder (just like you do now) and instead of stepping out, you would just step over. If you've ever climbed up on a roof in a ladder you know how much easier it is to board a ladder from the side than it is from the top. I would argue that you could get in/out of the engine room faster and safer with a side boarding ladder rather than an end boarding ladder (which is the current configuration, end boarding)
If I'm pulling out engine pieces too big to fit out of this opening I'm probably going to be pulling up a floor panel or two in the salon.
The only heavy items I consistently carry in/out of the ER is 5gal buckets of oil. And I've been toying with the idea of adding an oil reservoir that is fillable from the cockpit and plumbed into my oil change system. That would be ideal, but for another discussion all together.
Bottom line is I only have so much space to work with. My goal is to make it functional and make the best of my constraints. I am NOT even considering the idea of moving the aft fuel tank.
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Totally understand. I do not have floor panels to remove, everything has to come out of the entry way, so you do have the advantage. Not trying to be a pain, but you know what they say about opinions....
Good luck and please post pics, as stated, I want to re-model also. I want to watch your progress, need ideas.
Have a great weekend,
Tim
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Got to the boat late last night but was able to play around with the layout. Started marking everything up with a sharpie in the cockpit. Felt kinda funny drawing and making marks all over the areas I've tried so hard to get clean and keep mark free lol.
The engine access from the side is 100% winner winner. Honestly after climbing in/out with it in mind I don't know why all boats aren't that way from the factory. MUCH more ergonomic entry IMO. I can also gain about 5" of access by moving the bench seat aft wall aft a little bit. The compromise is I loose width on my fishbox lid. Gotta make sure those jumbo tuna will fit in the door lol.
Hopefully this evening I'll have a chance to cut up the foam board I brought and tape everything roughly into place and see how it will be.
In the meantime, gotta get some outrigger bolts out so I can bolt in my new pulleys so the outriggers can be re-installed tomorrow. Hopefully these bolts won't give me fits...
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Was able to get down to the boat this weekend and had time to mock everything up using Blue Foam insulation. REALLY glad I did this, was great to be able to walk around and imagine using the space.
I didn't have our fighting chair but did work the dimensions of it into the layout.
Couple of things to note before looking/analyzing the pics.
1. The fighting chair pedestal will need to be moved approx 6-8" aft, this will push the rocket launcher backrest forward about as much.
2. The ladder will be moved aft to completely clear the mezzanine and will likely land on the cockpit floor.
3. We will probably be doing a bridge extension along with this project. This will make the ladder move MUCH easier as we can just unbolt the handrail and move the entire unit (ladder and handrail) aft rather than having to butcher or completely re-do the ladder.
4. Engine room access. I know lots of you guys are worried about it. The bottom line is this. Engine room access will be better/easier than it currently is. Is it perfect? no. But in the end it's all about compromise. On that same note, the primary thing I find myself struggling to get into and out of the engine access hatch was 5gal buckets of oil. To completely fix that issue I'm going to be installing 2 10gal oil tanks under the engine access ladder. A vented fill hose will be ran up and mounted at the door of the engine room. So with a funnel I'll be able to just dump my change or top off oil into the tank. This also keeps me from having a 5gal bucket strapped in between the engines (which is going to be NICE).
Honestly I never fully realized how much this would change the boat. I was literally in shock walking around the empty cockpit. No coolers, no bait tanks... no more of just crap cluttering up the cockpit. Was AMAZING how HUGE this layout made the cockpit feel. This modification is going to completely change how much we enjoy the boat.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7912/...2822bd49_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7919/...4b81eedf_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7913/...ee7dc17b_c.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4915/...cd71e208_c.jpg
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Personally the first thing I’d want to change is the salon door opening into the cockpit
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
rsmith
Personally the first thing I’d want to change is the salon door opening into the cockpit
What would you change about it?
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
rustybucket
What would you change about it?
I’d either make it a slider with a pneumatic opener or have it open inward. If you were ever in the cockpit hit by one of these open out doors you’d know why.
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
rsmith
I’d either make it a slider with a pneumatic opener or have it open inward. If you were ever in the cockpit hit by one of these open out doors you’d know why.
A pneumatic or automatic would be nice, maybe a down the road project.
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
On my 45C the door was changed by one of the previous owners from the old sliding design, tha apparently is not very good, to open inward. I don't like it, I'm planning to change it to open outward in the future. In my cockpit, the fly bridge ladder is on the port side and my intention is to have the door open towards that side, so it won't tecnically block anything.
Obviously, an automatic sliding door would be awesome, but pretty expensive as well.
Regards,
JCG
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
Awesome idea adding the cockpit additions. I have the same boat you do and I have wanted to same additions. One of the reasons I wanted the additions was engine room access. I looked at one of my neighbors newer boats and his was a gull wing design the was in same loaction as ours but when the er door opened it included the seating area and step up from cockpit. Almost made a steps from ER instead of vertical ladder. Our current opening a 5 gallon bucket is a tight fit, but my real challenge has always been batteries. I would rather have access to get in and out easier, Im not a small guy. Just a thought.
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project
I keep hearing that the engine room access is bad on a 52c.
Is it possible that different doors, hatches or ladders were used through the years?
I think access is more than acceptable on our 1989 52c.
A full 5 gallon bucket is easy fit, an 8d battery goes down easy, it does take 2 able bodies but no clearance problems.
On another cockpit note, has anyone hinged the loose cockpit hatches that we all have.
It would be great to access the bilge without picking up a heavy hatch and leaning up against the side of boat.
All new sportfish have hinges and gas shocks, I would like to do the same thing but not use exposed hinges.
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Past the point of no return!!
Ok guys, the deed is done.... my brother and I met at the boat last weekend and took saws and grinders to the ol gal. Was a little more unsettling than I thought it would be lol. We could have gone fishing but instead we took her out of commission for a few months lol.
Snapped this last pic just before we started hacking.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7854/...98b5f4ed_c.jpg
Removing lids, tubs, inserts, hinches and hardware.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7843/...1bd3d3e8_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7864/...40bfa4f2_c.jpg
Let the games begin!!
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7907/...8389fa26_c.jpg
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Re: Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project