Modifications to our R21EC, Emcourt

[Emcourt]

I finally got around to taking pictures of all the small and not so small changes we've made the past 2 years to our R21EC. Look under Photo Albums/Tugnuts Owner Albums/Emcourt -- Modifications.

The one fix that I couldn't photograph was wiring the VHF radio into the 545s chart plotter to provide lat/long coordinates to the radio from the chart plotter for DSC emergency calls. In my opinion this should have been done at the factory, but the wires from the Garmin wiring harness (other than the power connections) were simply cut off to get them out of the way.

If I need more pictures of any particular project, let me know. If you have questions about any of these projects, let me know as well!

Norm Saunders
Emcourt

 

[dloop]

Norm,

That's one nicely decked out tug!!

dave

 

[Emcourt]

Thanks, Dave, it has been a labor of love!

 

[Zuma]

Very, very nice...

 

[Lone Star Ranger]

Norm,

I like how you mounted the shelf on the Starboard side, and I would like to do the same kinda thing, since storage is a premium on a 21 EC. My question is how did you mount the shelf??? I can't see drilling a hole 😱 thru the fiberglass.

-John

 

[Emcourt]

John,

I first tried to use an adhesive to mount the shelf but there was a tad too much curve in the fiberglass for it to hold in place. Finally I gave in and, flinching a bit, did drill 2 holes in the fiberglass, used stainless steel hardware for mounting, and bedded the bolts in one of the 3M adhesive/caulks. There has been no leakage whatsoever and the shelf is now solidly mounted with room below and above to use both the shelf and the flat surface below. I keep an eye on the looks of the bedding and so far haven't had to renew it.

The shelf itself I purchased from West Marine and I rub it down each spring with a good coating of teak oil.

Good luck on your project!

Norm in Cambridge, MD

 

[rt11002003]

Norm,

I looked at your photos yesterday. You've done some nice work, good additions.

When you installed your radar, what did you do with all the cable? The last set I installed had a 40 foot cable and it was difficult to find a place to stow it on a 27 foot Albin.

Gene

 

[captain's cat]

Not sure about Garmin but with a Raymarine dome, you can get shorter cables if you order them with the dome. Less to coil up. Don't cut it, it will change characteristics of the radar not to mention the splicing/connector problems... :shock:

Charlie

 

[rt11002003]

Thanks Charlie. I knew about the perils of cutting the cable, that's how I wound up trying to find a place for 40 feet of it. I didn't know that maybe I could get a shorter cable. I'll have to check with Garmin.

Gene

 

[Emcourt]

Gene & Charlie,

I had the radar installed for me by Mid-Shore Electronics here in Cambridge, MD. They researched the issue of the cable and got explicit directions from Garman on how to safely resize the cable. In short, they brought the cable through the cabin roof, ran it along under the cloth ceiling cover, then came down above the front cabin windows and very carefully run to the chart plotter. The work is very clean, with no excess cable.

To remove the radome, I need to unbolt it from the mast and flip it over on its back. The two cables have strain relief that must be loosened, and they then unplug from the radome, leaving it free to remove.

I hope this answers your questions.

Norm Saunders
Emcourt, Cambridge, MD

 

[rt11002003]

Thanks 🙂

Gene