Adding a Pilothouse

[slydawg]

Sweet ride! Looks like a fish killer!

[ranchero]

[ranchero]

SWEET! What year is your skippie? Man it's clean....which diesel did you put in and how many MPG are you getting?

[Skipjack 25]

It's a 1989. I installed a KAD 43, 230 horse diesel and 290 duoprop. I finished the install in May and have put about 250 hours on it. The last time I went long, I logged about 200 miles and used 71 gallons of fuel, which equates to just under 3 mpg. I am told after I brake in the motor, my economy should improve. But even if it doesn't, I'm still happy.

As far as what I have done, I installed a group 31 battery on the start side and 2 6 volt batteries on the house side. A battery combiner makes sure I everything stays charged. All of the old wiring has been trashed with all new marine grade wire. As far as electronics, I have two Raymarine RL70CRC displays, dsm 250, radar, Rnav 300, Icom radio and a simrad autopilot. The electronics all talk to each other so that I can display what I want, where I want. Everything works slick! I had the boat reupolstered and then sent it to crytalliner to have all of the battle scars fixed. Gel coat looks new. I also had the transducer installed flush with the hull. nothing protruding the hull. After that was finished, I had Randy at Offshore build a new mold for a 60 gallon bait tank. And I had it gel coated to match. I then sent it to Ryley Stainless in Long beach and he built a rocket launcher for the top that holds 13 rods. The only other thing I can remeber is a purchased a 6 man offshore life raft and a epirb. Oh I almost forgot, I installed an electric toilet and tank.

There are tons of things that I will most likely remember later, but I think I have hit the highlights. The boat runs and fishes awesome. It's as nice as any 25' new boat I have seen and I only have spent a fraction of what they cost new. Some might say a large fraction, but none the less only a fraction.

Now that I am finished, I have been looking at the 26' blackwatch. Maybe next year??????

Jeff
25 Skipjack

[Trianglist]

Originally Posted by YO HO ONO

I'm not positive, But I think another guy said Mcmaster carr has the fiberglass sheets, I don't know that it's cored though either

may want to look for mc master carr on google they have a comprehensive website

haha....what a coincedence. My girlfriend works in the marketing department at McMaster Carr in Santa Fe Springs. She hates working there.

[Ali]

Pretty boat man.

How fast does she cruise? Top end?

[Skipjack 25]

I usually cruise at 24-25 knots at 3,000 rpm. I am slightly over propped. According to Volvo, I should get 3,900 rpms and I get 3,600. Cruise rpms is max less 10%. So I am cruising below the recommended speed. However, to do 24 to 25 knots it must be a fairly flat day. She seems to fine a sweet spot at 3,000 so that's were I run it. Top speed, well I think it's close to 30 knots. To tell you the truth, I can't remember but it gets with the program just fine!

Jeff
25 Skipjack

[Lurker Larry]

You are way over-propped.

Go to boatdiesel.com and read what the experts say about overpropping your motor. It doesn't matter what RPMs you're running the motor at, it's overloaded.

Karl (the volvo guru) likes to see 3950 at WFO- fully loaded with bait, fat fishing buddies, full tank, etc.

Left uncorrected this prop arangement will significantly reduce your service life. But what the heck, if you're getting a new blackwatch next year it doesn't matter.

[YO HO ONO]

Originally Posted by Trianglist

haha....what a coincedence. My girlfriend works in the marketing department at McMaster Carr in Santa Fe Springs. She hates working there.

Boy thats one hell of a warehouse ! they must get worked to death with the volume of orders. prices are a little on the high side, but if you "want it now" they usually have it in stock. I've yet to stump them

[EL JEFE]

I considered the Farallon pilot house for my Skippy 24 OPEN. But after careful consideration and because most of my fishing is in So Cal. and Baja, hardtop with eisenglass is the way to go. Nothing t like a fresh breeze in the summer when you want it and with the eisenglass up in the winter, it stays plenty warm for our local weather. Granted the Pilot house looks very NICE, but for practical purposes, it's better suited for northern waters. It also can be very distracting to see out of, much like eisenglass. Difference is you can't unzip and remove it!!

Just my $.02

[YO HO ONO]

I've been thinking this arrangement over, lots of options on center opening windows that can open from the top or bottom

[Orca]

looks nice, I'd opt for the bottom opening window so as to not interfer with wipers. You should get a co monitor as gas will have a tendency to accumulate in the pilot house.