Why It Takes Me Forever To Get Anything Done.

[SKYCHENEY]

My wife gives me a lot of flack about always working on the boat and never the house. Brian

Hmmm.....I hear that one quite often.

 

[Avenger]

OCD maybe?

Ya think?!

...in about 15 years, someone will be calling Sams looking for a replacement.

So what are you saying, you don't think it will last?

I wish I had two of them for MY transom zincs. Hint: my birthday is October 22nd.

Didn't you take some kind of oath as a medical professional not to make things worse?

Hmmm.....I hear that one quite often.

This could be a whole 'nuther thread.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

Sky....I can't believe you pretty wife would ever give you a hard time. She is too nice. (PLease show this to her). My wife never bothers me about working on the boat, but I get alot of grief about the dirt and grease on my clothes. I never have a perfect white T-shirt after the first wearing. She is not happy about that.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Sky....I can't believe you pretty wife would ever give you a hard time. She is too nice. (PLease show this to her). My wife never bothers me about working on the boat, but I get alot of grief about the dirt and grease on my clothes. I never have a perfect white T-shirt after the first wearing. She is not happy about that.

Ahh Maynard. It is not that I ever get any grief about working on the boat. In fact, she usually helps. The problem comes when I don't get right on one of the home projects. Sometimes I just don't have the same motivation. That's when it gets compared to the boat. But, a man has to have his priorities, you know.

I have the same problem with T-shirts. Between grease, battery acid, and caulk, I have to make sure I have a good supply of shirts.

 

[spartonboat1]

Sky....I can't believe you pretty wife would ever give you a hard time. She is too nice. (PLease show this to her). My wife never bothers me about working on the boat, but I get alot of grief about the dirt and grease on my clothes. I never have a perfect white T-shirt after the first wearing. She is not happy about that.

Jus dohn git caut werrin yer gut cloz werkin in der engin rum...cors I due that all duh time...trouble, trouble, trouble from der wieef...

 

[Avenger]

It continues.... Part II - Gauges

Well, I'm at it again. Since the gauges are on the bridge they need to be protected from the elements, so they should be covered with something.

The problem: The gauge layout on my boat is different than the later ones which offered the nice molded plexiglass covers.

Solution: Machine bezels from plastic so the gauges are recessed into them, and make plexiglass covers that attach to the bezels. I used washers between the bezels and the plexi so they wouldn't develop condensation issues.

I wonder if there's a market for something like this?

 

[Avenger]

Part IIa - The results

The old gauges were a hodge-podge and only four of them worked. So I elected to re-do them all. I'm sure the purists will be offended by the square look, but I thought it was an elegant solution to the problem.

I also replaced the throttle arms and knobs with Ongaro stainless ones.

Before & After:

 

[egaito]

Re: Part IIa - The results

The old gauges were a hodge-podge and only four of them worked. So I elected to re-do them all. I'm sure the purists will be offended by the square look, but I thought it was an elegant solution to the problem.

I also replaced the throttle arms and knobs with Ongaro stainless ones.

* Need to resize the pictures again - files too big. Pics coming in a few minutes *

That is a nice solution....I'm not offended by the square look, but I don't prefer it. Misty was refit with square bezels...something I hope to change eventually.

I hate the plastic shield as it traps dirt, and doesn't seal well unless bedded in silicone, which traps MORE dirt.

Ang is making a canvas cover to keep most of the water out, and the sun off of the new gauges on Sanctuary.

Were these available in round, ideally in a material that can be painted, it might actually be worth it to toss the plastic shield and go through the trouble of re-setting each gauge.

Great idea and very nice work!

 

[Avenger]

Thanks Ed!

I'm going to have to make some kind of cover too. I used black Delrin for the bezels, which has low UV resistance according to our resident plastics expert. One thing I can get away with is using a hard material for the cover since the allen screws will keep it from contacting the plexi and scratching it. So Starboard or plywood is in the future.

They could be made round with a different color material and maybe using six smaller screws so it didn't look boxy. But that's more labor intensive and I was constrained by the existing gauge holes.

 

[GJD]

Original or no - looks beautiful to me. Very nicely done!

 

[captddis]

Very nice! I think there is a market if they can be produced reasonably and they don't fog up.

 

[Walter P]

You can prevent fogging by either creating a vacuum or filling with gas (not sure but I think nitragen) In either case, the seal need to be absolute, but I think yours are.

What did you use as a gasket? Plain off the shelf "O" rings may be perfect, especially if you cut a grove on one of the surfaces.

I love your ideas.. that's what this forum needs more of.

Walt

 

[Avenger]

Thanks for your thoughts everybody.

The problem with these bright ideas is that you need a Bridgeport and a lathe to make most of them. Making them on a manual mill is time consuming so they'd probably be too expensive. Oh well, it was a thought.

Walt, the fog-free method that I employed was to build a small separation between the plexi and the bezel. My theory is that it shouldn't fog if it can breathe and the temps stay equalized on both sides of the plexi. You probably have a better idea to seal it with O-rings, but since it is assembled by using the gauge itself to clamp the bezel to the dashboard it would have to be nitrogen purged in place. Do-able, but more effort than I can afford right now. They've been in place for a few weeks now and haven't fogged yet, but it's too soon to say for sure.

They're intended to be spash-resistant, but they're not waterproof. If you look carefully at the bezels stacked up behind the gauge you'll see there's actually a small hole to drain off any water that might sneak in. Also, if need be the plexi can be removed by taking the allen screws out. I expect that at some point the plexi will get scratched or dull and have to be replaced.

 

[captddis]

The covers would work well in engine rooms or commercial boats where protection is desireable as well.

 

[Nick]

Beautiful as usual Derek!

When will you ready to give us a peak at the real thing?

 

[34Hatt]

Derek

It could be worse I wanted to gain some room for Electronics So.

The Old dash was!

Then New Dash

This is why I have been spending the last few winters working on the HOUSE!!

It a Bitch trying to catch up

 

[Avenger]

The covers would work well in engine rooms or commercial boats where protection is desireable as well.

Good thinking. Next time I'm on a commercial boat I'll get opinions.

When will you ready to give us a peak at the real thing?

Keep in mind I only show off the good stuff. If the rest of the boat looked as good as the instruments.... But she's finally running (just in time for winter), so maybe at the next NE rendevous. You all are more than welcome to visit the wreck...uh...I mean, yacht if you're in the area.

This is why I have been spending the last few winters working on the HOUSE!!

It a Bitch trying to catch up

Now that's a nice upgrade! Your fiberglass work always amazes me. I may need to commission you to do some work for me. And yes, I'll be spending this winter working on the house too. BTW, Love the computer mouse on the helm.

 

[NAN-PO 41]

We use a computer for navigation and have found that a track ball mouse is a lot easier and can be velcroed into place just about anywhere.
Fred

 

[34Hatt]

Good thinking. Next time I'm on a commercial boat I'll get opinions.Keep in mind I only show off the good stuff. If the rest of the boat looked as good as the instruments.... But she's finally running (just in time for winter), so maybe at the next NE rendevous. You all are more than welcome to visit the wreck...uh...I mean, yacht if you're in the area.
Now that's a nice upgrade! Your fiberglass work always amazes me. I may need to commission you to do some work for me. And yes, I'll be spending this winter working on the house too. BTW, Love the computer mouse on the helm.

Well the Mouse got the Boot I now have a finger pad next to the shifter works much better!

Fiberglass work only If I get too use the sawsall first Actually I may be doing Magic Hat's Topside this winter so that might be the shinning star next year!!!

N.E Rendezvous If we are in the area???? You mean when your out east in our Area. That is a nice little cruise for her

 

[Avenger]

I meant it might make it to the NE rendevous, but if you want to see her before that and you're ever around Amityville let me know. I wouldn't make a seperate trip for it though. It's still very much a work in progress. SLOWWW progress.