NICKYPOO's Ballast Thread

[IDBoating]

Ya, I have to relocate the filler. It's the only part of the build I don't like. Its going to have to come right out the back of the boat. I think. I'm kicking around the idea of running it over to the Starboard side but, I have yet to to find the right filler neck for that. If not, its coming right out the back.

My impression was you'll have to put it out the top of the transom. If you try to go to the side of the boat, I don't think you'll have enough vertical drop from the fill neck to the tank. I think you'll have to just barely trickle the fuel in to keep the gasoline from backwashing. And even that may not be possible... the filler tube has to curve downward initially to accept the pump's nozzle, costing you some vertical right there. Then the hose will come off at that same angle, and as it rounds the corner to travel across the boat to the tank you'll lose a bit more vertical. That might put the bottom of the hose below the bottom of the tank fill tube, which won't work.

I'd go for sufficient vertical to avoid backwash, and live with the cosmetics. Otherwise I'm afraid you'll be kicking yourself every time you have to fill the tank.

[NICKYPOO]

That's why its gonna end up going out that back. It is what it is. Not a big deal. All said and done, the pump nozzle will end up in the tank while filling. I'm sure it'll take some getting used to in order to get it done right. Like I said, its my least favorite part of this build. Everything else is an improvement.

[IDBoating]

Like I said, its my least favorite part of this build. Everything else is an improvement.

Small price to pay for the improvement you'll be getting.

[NICKYPOO]

I spent most of my afternoon re-rigging the transom. I always hated the haphazard way things were strung across the transom and then hidden under carpet. The only thing I couldn't completely relocate were the speedo tubes. I moved the...I'm not even sure what they are. There are some brass tubes the the speedo tubes connect to on the transom. Anyways, moved those behind the new tank. I put a 90* fitting on the bilge thru-hull and extended the line so that it wasn't lying in the bilge. Re-routed the taps wire, speedo tubes and fuel gauge wires. Next step is to start building my panels. Once they're done, the only thing you'll see is about 8" of bilge hose at the thru-hull.

[NICKYPOO]

WooHoo! Talked to Eddie G over at Tige and he reckons I'll be just fine to cut the old tank supports out. Kickass.

I've also got a buddy coming over tomorrow to figure out a coating for the new sections. He says he's got some super cool stuff if I'm willing to do the prep.

[IDBoating]

WooHoo! Talked to Eddie G over at Tige and he recons reckons I'll be just fine to cut the old tank supports out.

Does that mean just the stick-like supports, or those extensions to the floor that I asked about earlier as well? Hopefully the latter, because getting rid of the whole mess on both sides will really open up that area for greater and easier ballasting. It looks like you've removed the carpet from the floor extensions already....

[NICKYPOO]

Just the supports. There are no removable floor sections. I'm just gonna cut out the two outer supports. That will at least make the area under them usable. Everything else stays.

Ya, carpet is gone. It's gonna stay gone as well.

[IDBoating]

Just the supports. There are no removable floor sections.

Yes, there are no intentionally removable floor sections. Just like there are no intentionally removable supports/struts. But is there any reason you can't cut out those sections of floor? It would sure improve things, and while you're cutting....

[NICKYPOO]

Dude, stop making me consider it. I'm gonna keep this one fairly simple. I have no doubt that I could do it, I'm just not gonna. Getting those sections removed and refinished turns this build into something else entirely.

[IDBoating]

Dude, stop making me consider it. I'm gonna keep this one fairly simple. I have no doubt that I could do it, I'm just not gonna. Getting those sections removed and refinished turns this build into something else entirely.

Okey dokey, but remember you already have everything opened up and accessible. Just sayin'. On the other hand, if you'll be happy with leaving it alone, then great!

[topaz surfer]

project is looking good. Seems like you will gain some nice extra room with those old tank supports out to add to your ballast capacity. Did Tige recommend adding any glass to the floor for support after cutting out those supports.

[NICKYPOO]

Nah, they're there to support the old tank and that's it. I'm gonna prep everything and the lay down some new rubberized coating. I got a buddy who owns a coating business and he is bringing over a sample tomorrow. He is in love with the stuff and thinks this will be the perfect application.

Couple pics-

[NICKYPOO]

Damn you WAB. You got me out in the garage with tape measure and my brain re-working this project once again. I figure its good for another 60#. At this time I just can't justify it. That's a lot of extra work for 60#. I'm gonna roll with what I got going and see what happens. However, it could be incorporated in a phase 2 project that would double that figure.

[IDBoating]

Damn you WAB. You got me out in the garage with tape measure and my brain re-working this project once again.

You'll thank me later. Trust me, when I was doing mine I spent many an hour lying in the back of the hull measuring and imagining and feeling around edges and corners until the concept took full shape in my mind. Actually doing it took less time than planning it.

Keep up the good work!

[NICKYPOO]

These sections of floor have to be cut out. There is no unscrewing them and pulling them up. That section is glassed in and there is tons of glass to cut through which leads to much more "cleaning up" of that area. I mean, they are glassed in to the top of the stringers even.

Once you removed your foam, what did you use for a bulkhead in the front of that section?

Yes, I'm considering this more and more. Maybe if I put enough weight back there, I will need to put some ballast up front. "Sorry Honey. I guess I did too good a job on the rear. Now we NEED to do the front." I really want to cut the "cooler" out from under the observer's seat and put a sac in place of it. I figure its worth 200#, hidden. It completely unused now other than being misc. rope storage. It would be nice to negate any possible driver weight when surfing port.