It's been a month or so and I've made some significant progress from the last update post. (If you want to view the history covering the painting and other work, go here:
Post 1 and
Post 2 (Skipjack 28 progress update...))
Anyway, the majority of the work since the last post has been electrical work and plumbing related, and some misc other. Although I was expecting to be done by now
, I'm getting very close to the work being done... a week to two weeks max! Woo Hoo!!! It's been very chalenging juggling this with family and work, but it's nearly over...for now.
I worked it out with Surg to install my backbone electrical, including the batteries, panels, inverter, cabling, fuse bars and busbars, but I'm doing the rest. He's been a pleasure to work with and knows his shit thankfully, as I'm not a marine electrician by any means.
Here are my panels installed in a new wall in the mid-berth. The battery management panel I had made custom from Common Ground, and the AC / DC panel is an off-the-shelf unit from Blue Sea Systems.
The electrical is a bit complicated, and as you can see, there's some rediculous wiring being done for the boat's upgrades.
Here is a shot of the house bank of 6 volt gelcells along with the inverter.
I've removed the storage bins below the mid-berth and the house bank is on the starboard and 2 size 31 gelcells have replaced the port storage bin. I went with gelcells to eliminate the possibility of fire which accompany wet cell type batteries... much better for safety with the gas systems below deck.
The ebox wiring is almost done. It was a true bitch getting wires up through the FBU-made tower, but with a lot of drilling, cussing and pulling, we got the power pulled along with speakers, lights, antennas and transducer cord for the Furuno.
Here's a shot of the dash when I bought the boat last year:
And here's a shot of it now, ready for reinstallation:
I've replaced most of the old gauges, switches, etc., as it was necessary due to all the new electrical and upgrades. I've also added a Floscan Twinscan, a Fireboy fumes alarm and halon system, and a lot more. Quite a difference, even though it's not installed yet nor finished... but it will be in a week. And here's the back, prewired for installation.
Here's a shot of the helm area with it's wiring in progress. I should be able to have the helm installed and done by this weekend if all goes well.
What a job chasing and sorting the harnesses and new wiring above. Nice thing is that the worst part is now done.
In addition to all the electrical, I have installed the new cabin door which replaces the old worn out teak one... I just hate maintaining exterior wood! I had it made from Starboard. Like the rest of the boat, it's a little dirty and needs a wash.
I also removed the old manual Jabsco pump head and installed a Vacuflush head and system, and installed new countertops in the head and galley.
The tops are of WilsonArt laminate over marine ply, and look so good that my sister-in-law went inside and thought I installed real granite tops. They were done for low budget too. But her comment was good for a laugh at the time.
Next update post will be when she's done and ready for a shakedown cruise in a week or two. And by then she'll be the proud owner of a new name too: Paddy Hopper II
Tight lines... soon anyway!
Bogii
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