Brucesta's P.A.V mk II

[Brucesta]

Evening gents.

I did promise to get busy with the mods when the boat got home but i was too busy taking it out and breaking things but with a week trip in Exmouth coming up in two weeks i have been busy getting things working again for the trip, well the important stuff anyway.

List of issues
Echo sounder and Stereo let the water in
Welds on the canopy breaking too frequently
pop studs and pop rivets don't work in poly
upgrade and install extra rod holders

So i pulled all the wiring out of the framework for the canopy and sent it to the metal fab place for some repairs and upgrades, i had 4 cracked welds and we formulated a plan to resolve it and damm it's now solid as. We re-did the welds that had cracked then added an extra bar to the back of the structure, braced it to the existing frame and welded the rod holders in three spots.

I then discussed bracing the console which is bloody flimsy and not crash hot, i'd recommend all CC owners look to do this, we originally where going to install a large plate/washerat the base as the 4 bolts and washers are just shit but he had a better idea and installed the big right angle bracket at the front of the console and firmly bolted it down. It never installed confidence before when trying to hang on and my passengers where all a little reluctant to ride on bad days but now everyone is happy and it's very stable.

I got Navico to replace the sounder and it seems to work better than the old one, much better definition which is a plus, still waiting for the replacement stereo but i do have a portable one i'll use for now.

I have 6 rod holders to install to the boat that are stainless so i don't lose a rod over the side in a big strike, problem is the holes don't align so i'm leaving the two corner ones and fitting two infront of them about 300mm in front then 2 at the front on an angle for a wider spread for billfishing and bottom bouncing then two uprights next to the baitboard which will suit smaller reels.

Next up is plumb the live bait tank, reposition the trailer axle forward, install the stereo, clears and modify the console cover.

heres some pics.

[Brucesta]

i also fixed a fuel leak in the lines (crappy clamp on the line out of the fuel tank) also had a go at sorting my breather line issues, took the slack out but no change, i need to lift the floor to have a good look.

The leaking fuel also dissolved the silicon sealing the bungs and the boat leaked a bit on the weekend so i have redone them with the tube of Lexal the BigFella through in the boat for me, cheers for that Glenn.

[Pirate Pete]

I hope she holds together now Brucesta.

Did the console moving make the T Top flex too much.

[Luke G]

Use Sikaflex rather then Lexel bruce. The lexel stuff just fell of mine. Sikaflex is still going strong a year later.

[Brucesta]

cheers for that Luke i'll grab some, i did notice it isn't really ideal for the job today when some had come off

[Brucesta]

Slight update, nothing flash but for quite a while i have been putting up with a very smokey etec. it had been back twice to the local dealer who was less than helpful and was not budging from the idea that the engine mapping was wrong. Spoke to a few dealers and then got a mobile mechanic to have a 10 min look at it and he suggested the poppet valve? (sp) was jammed open, he showed me in the dark where it was, just looked like a thermostat housing.

So i boldly went out and started to pull the motor to pieces as i was sick of smoking out my fishing buddies. There is a lot of cables down there and some photo's where taken to make sure it went back right, while dismantling the cover over the motor i noticed a pipe that went from the air intake to the rear of the motor hanging off as it had split so i trimmed it up ready for re-install. got this poppet valve out and made sure it moved freely, carefully put it all back together again and ready to test.

Along with the smoke issue i was chewing heaps of oil and running at 55 to 1 ratio instead of around 90 to 1, the motor was running at around 60 degrees C on the plane and 80 degrees C when trolling under load, didn't seem right. So i borrowed some ears to run the motor in the driveway and she sat solid at 72 degrees C. Took it out for a burn yesterday up the creeks and it gave a little whiff of smoke when i came off the plane but for the rest of the day she sat around 75 degrees C all day and no smoke.

I don't know if it was the hose that was off or the valve but she seems to be running smooth again. I think i now know what that etec holeshot is all about as she fair leapted on the plane yesterday and pulled beautifully through to 500rpm and ran at 27kts.

new stereo to go in sometime this week, then off for some more welding as i am mounting some spotties on the canopy for the night trips over the summer.

[4.50_Drifter]

looking bloody good Bruce, on ya mate, I might have to pop up for a fish sometime! :)

[Learjohn]

Bruce, is the canopy Aluminium or stainless? Did you get the mods done here in Karratha? My canopy fell to bits going to the ramp one day. Had to temporary fix it with duct tape and ocky straps. The plastic parts got brittle and collapsed. I want to get a new solid one made, but I want it out of stainless. Do we have anyone here in Karratha?
Your machine is looking quite smick now, hope to catch up out on the water one day.

John

[Brucesta]

John, the canopy is aluminium and i got the mods done in Karratha at Avison Engineering, there ali bloke did a bloody awesome job and no issues over the past 6 months, only thing he said he would have done differently would be slightly thicker tubing and bolt to the floor to stop the flex. I'm sure they can do stainless too but you'd be looking at some big bucks to pay for that. I'd take my boat back to them if needed John, give them a call and tow the beast around to see what they say.

[Learjohn]

Thanks Bruce, I will give them a call. I don't mind paying if it is a good job.
John

[fishmagnet]

Learjohn, You may want to check this out. I just ordered on for my 5.3 CC. They are in the USA Atlanta Georgia. Took 5 days to deliver. I am yet to fit it but have put the whole setup together, and she looks pretty solid. Email Greg Spivia, Greg@fishmaster.com

With the Aus$ so strong it was well worth it. Landed for $2320incl taxes & Duties. Made from 48mm Anodised Polished Aluminium tubing. I also ordered 6 swivel mount rod holders. They are doing an off season special on them at the moment. Fits Center Consoles of up to 1270mm wide.

http://www.fishmaster.com/

[Learjohn]

That is one strong looking T top Bruce. I hope you got a couple of those bikini clad optional extras. Unfortunately it would be no good on a cuddy cab.

John

[Brucesta]

Fishmagnet you mean John, i know what boat you have i only live 300m away from you :)