Fisho
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2018
- Messages
- 75
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C SE
- Hull Identification Number
- USFMLT2106F
- Vessel Name
- KHUNYAI
- MMSI Number
- 503076010
Hi fellow Tugnuts,
My wife and I purchased a 2012 21EC a month or so ago. We are new to cruising fibreglass boats with diesel engines. All our past boats have been plate aluminium for offshore fishing that ironically my wife would not step on. Moving to a 21EC is a whole new experience and learning curve, but we are delighted and very excited about the future time on the boat. Importantly my wife LOVES it! We have called it Khun Yai or Thai for grand old lady or grandmother.
We have spent the last 5 weeks fine tuning, modifying and servicing with the help of the local marine shop. I have really enjoyed the very useful information on Tugnuts and wanted to make my contribution on how I have addressed or solved some of the issues raised on the forum. A big thank you to all contributors! Greatly appreciated. Also Andrew at Ranger Tugs has been great. Thank you. The amount of information about the 21EC is amazing.
As background we live on a lake on the far south coast of New South Wales, Australia with our own boat shed, boat ramp and jetty. I understand there are about 50 21ECs in Australia and quite a few bigger ones.
I love the shallow draft of the 21EC for lakes as well as being reasonably sea worthy for inshore cruising when the weather is good. Being on a trailer is essential. It fits in my boat shed behind my pickup (just!) so that is a big bonus!
The boat has a bow thruster and a heavy duty winch up front operated from inside the cabin (LONE STAR 1500 watt) - really excellent and foolproof. The boat had about 170 hours when I bought it but no service records other than regular oil and oil filter changes. So I have serviced everything on the YANMAR that is possible (impellers, belts, filters, oils, coolant, anodes etc). Of interest the engine runs to 3600rpm at WOT but is best between 2000-2600rpm. At idle it is great for trolling. For those interested I have made the following changes:
1. Added a Lowrance GPS/chartplotter/sounder HDS Carbon with normal and sidescan sonar as well as a Lowrance autopilot without touching the cable steering. Includes a controller that communicates via Bluetooth meaning I can steer the boat sitting in rear seat. Works really well. Transferred all my fishing marks from my previous RAYMARINE system.
2. Added a see through water separator fuel filter
3. Replaced and fine tuned the fuel tank sender to give more accurate fuel gauge readings
4. Added two more batteries giving two deep cycle house batteries and a spare start battery. A bit of overkill but let’s us sleep well at night. They are all charged by shore power through an M-300 CTEK trickle charger
5. Added a rail on the back of the swim platform that allows me to easily and securely position a small inflatable ASPRE 2.3m two person dingy with oars. Excellent. Weighs just 24kgs. Perfect for getting to the beach, shore etc
6. Changed all lights inside and out to LEDs
7. Modified the boat and trailer with an automatic boat catch that allows me to easily drive the boat on and off the trailer by myself
8. Extended the V bunk at night by 400mm by using a very strong ice box that is just the right size and height and added a memory foam topper for comfort. When cruising the ice box is either in rear near engine or on swim platform at anchor.
9. Added a movable LAGUN table in the rear cockpit with teak top that swivels and is easily removed. Very successful. The idea was from another Tugnut.
10. Added MARINCO electric plugs and circuit breakers on both sides at rear for DAIWA electric reels
12. The KENYON metho stove is great but we also have a small gas cooker we use in the rear when the weather permits.
13. Added a backup manually operated 1000 gph Johnson bilge pump on a different circuit. One bilge pump did not sit well with me. Also rewired the existing auto bilge pump and alarm due to poor wiring.
14. Connected the GARMIN VHF to the GPS so I can use DSC. I am in the process of applying for an MMSI number but it is a bit more difficult in Australia since you need a VHF radio operators licence before getting one. Requires a federal exam etc. But now the GARMIN shows lat/long, heading, speed and time.
15. Done a bit of fibreglass/gel coat detailing etc to fill a few dings and scratches etc. I have had to learn a bit about fibreglass and gel coat.
16. Replaced the hatch insect screens and in process of replacing the carpet with the same type that looks like teak flooring
17. Serviced the two horns and realised only one was working. Now they are really loud.
18. Worked out how to get the spot light working properly
19. Installed a FUSION plugin so I can stream music via Bluetooth from my iPhone
20. Replaced fire extinguisher and EPIRB
21. Learnt how to clean up the water tank to keep it drinkable and tasteless
22. Sanded back and restrained all the teak woodwork
I have had great fun fixing up the boat and suspect the learning and fine tuning will continue for months/years. But the first couple of nights cruising and sleeping have been a great success.
Sorry to go on a bit, but many of the mods came from chats and suggestions on Tugnuts. Thanks. I got the boat at a very good price so did not mind spending a bit to get it back to almost new and the way I wanted it.
My wife and I are looking forward to many enjoyable trips around south east Australia on the Khun Yai but suspect I won’t bump into too many other tugs!
My wife and I purchased a 2012 21EC a month or so ago. We are new to cruising fibreglass boats with diesel engines. All our past boats have been plate aluminium for offshore fishing that ironically my wife would not step on. Moving to a 21EC is a whole new experience and learning curve, but we are delighted and very excited about the future time on the boat. Importantly my wife LOVES it! We have called it Khun Yai or Thai for grand old lady or grandmother.
We have spent the last 5 weeks fine tuning, modifying and servicing with the help of the local marine shop. I have really enjoyed the very useful information on Tugnuts and wanted to make my contribution on how I have addressed or solved some of the issues raised on the forum. A big thank you to all contributors! Greatly appreciated. Also Andrew at Ranger Tugs has been great. Thank you. The amount of information about the 21EC is amazing.
As background we live on a lake on the far south coast of New South Wales, Australia with our own boat shed, boat ramp and jetty. I understand there are about 50 21ECs in Australia and quite a few bigger ones.
I love the shallow draft of the 21EC for lakes as well as being reasonably sea worthy for inshore cruising when the weather is good. Being on a trailer is essential. It fits in my boat shed behind my pickup (just!) so that is a big bonus!
The boat has a bow thruster and a heavy duty winch up front operated from inside the cabin (LONE STAR 1500 watt) - really excellent and foolproof. The boat had about 170 hours when I bought it but no service records other than regular oil and oil filter changes. So I have serviced everything on the YANMAR that is possible (impellers, belts, filters, oils, coolant, anodes etc). Of interest the engine runs to 3600rpm at WOT but is best between 2000-2600rpm. At idle it is great for trolling. For those interested I have made the following changes:
1. Added a Lowrance GPS/chartplotter/sounder HDS Carbon with normal and sidescan sonar as well as a Lowrance autopilot without touching the cable steering. Includes a controller that communicates via Bluetooth meaning I can steer the boat sitting in rear seat. Works really well. Transferred all my fishing marks from my previous RAYMARINE system.
2. Added a see through water separator fuel filter
3. Replaced and fine tuned the fuel tank sender to give more accurate fuel gauge readings
4. Added two more batteries giving two deep cycle house batteries and a spare start battery. A bit of overkill but let’s us sleep well at night. They are all charged by shore power through an M-300 CTEK trickle charger
5. Added a rail on the back of the swim platform that allows me to easily and securely position a small inflatable ASPRE 2.3m two person dingy with oars. Excellent. Weighs just 24kgs. Perfect for getting to the beach, shore etc
6. Changed all lights inside and out to LEDs
7. Modified the boat and trailer with an automatic boat catch that allows me to easily drive the boat on and off the trailer by myself
8. Extended the V bunk at night by 400mm by using a very strong ice box that is just the right size and height and added a memory foam topper for comfort. When cruising the ice box is either in rear near engine or on swim platform at anchor.
9. Added a movable LAGUN table in the rear cockpit with teak top that swivels and is easily removed. Very successful. The idea was from another Tugnut.
10. Added MARINCO electric plugs and circuit breakers on both sides at rear for DAIWA electric reels
12. The KENYON metho stove is great but we also have a small gas cooker we use in the rear when the weather permits.
13. Added a backup manually operated 1000 gph Johnson bilge pump on a different circuit. One bilge pump did not sit well with me. Also rewired the existing auto bilge pump and alarm due to poor wiring.
14. Connected the GARMIN VHF to the GPS so I can use DSC. I am in the process of applying for an MMSI number but it is a bit more difficult in Australia since you need a VHF radio operators licence before getting one. Requires a federal exam etc. But now the GARMIN shows lat/long, heading, speed and time.
15. Done a bit of fibreglass/gel coat detailing etc to fill a few dings and scratches etc. I have had to learn a bit about fibreglass and gel coat.
16. Replaced the hatch insect screens and in process of replacing the carpet with the same type that looks like teak flooring
17. Serviced the two horns and realised only one was working. Now they are really loud.
18. Worked out how to get the spot light working properly
19. Installed a FUSION plugin so I can stream music via Bluetooth from my iPhone
20. Replaced fire extinguisher and EPIRB
21. Learnt how to clean up the water tank to keep it drinkable and tasteless
22. Sanded back and restrained all the teak woodwork
I have had great fun fixing up the boat and suspect the learning and fine tuning will continue for months/years. But the first couple of nights cruising and sleeping have been a great success.
Sorry to go on a bit, but many of the mods came from chats and suggestions on Tugnuts. Thanks. I got the boat at a very good price so did not mind spending a bit to get it back to almost new and the way I wanted it.
My wife and I are looking forward to many enjoyable trips around south east Australia on the Khun Yai but suspect I won’t bump into too many other tugs!