Quieter season, next year projects

[Rocky Lou]

Sadly, the boards seem quieter as you would expect this time of year. I am in California where we boat year-round but I think everybody is thinking of projects for next year and what needs to be done. I am booked for my first annual service in January and plan the following:

1. Temp versus transducer upgrade: I decided for this first year that I’m just going with a cheap and cheerful Airmar temp sensor. In order to get much better sonar performance I need to add a significant through hull transducer or the twin set by Garmin. The GT 15 isn’t so bad that I can’t wait for another year to make a decision on that.

2. Bennett drop fins ordered and will be added to the trim tabs. Thanks Brian!

3. A pair of Sharrow props are on order and who knows if they will arrive or be worth the investment.

4. Some type of long-term hull waxing. I’m still unsure which way to go and welcome suggestions here.

Best wishes for the holidays and hopes for a better 2021!

 

[BB marine]

3. A pair of Sharrow props are on order and who knows if they will arrive or be worth the investment.

Wow, That is a large investment. I looked at a test report and it had great midrange results. The Price was extreme. I hope they help with the performance issues.

I personally would install the drop fins first before making the Sharrow investment.

Some type of long-term hull waxing. I’m still unsure which way to go and welcome suggestions here.

The Ceramic finishes seem to be the answer. But expensive. My son is experimenting with Ceramic coat on his 25' Checkmate. I'll let him learn the application techniques and see the results. Until then I will continue to use Marine 31 and apply it every three months.

 

[Rocky Lou]

Brian,
I am installing the drop fins in January, before the expected arrival of the Sharrow props. If that gets the stern raised so the I can use tilt/trim more 'normally', I'd be happy to do no more. I'm thinking that at $2K per prop, for the production models, that is a reasonable amount for what is arguably the most important part of the engine. Of course, if there is no significant difference, they go back under the return policy.

I expect to hear most TugNuts folks have or are looking at Ceramic and I'm leaning in that direction, but Marine 31 may be more practical.

~Paul

 

[Danation]

I have a pretty similar list Rock Lou.

1. Sharrow props on order
2. Adding a Pepwaver mobile router and 5-in-1 antenna this winter.
3. 1kw Airmar transducer is in the future but probably not 2021.

The ceramic coat was done this year. Loving it so far.

I Will be interested to hear your results on the Bennett dop fins.

 

[Rocky Lou]

Hi Dan,
The list looks similar indeed. I am going to try hard to get better performance and fuel efficiency with the drop fins and props. It's been discouraging not being able to keep the boat on plane at lower RPMs that are required with offshore boating. At less than $50 and an easy install, drop fins seem like a great option and I will certainly share my results as I hope others will continue to do.

Are you adding the Pepwave antenna to improve WiFi and Mobile Phone reception? In our area, the ATT service is pretty good and I use that as a HotSpot. I'm able to work from boat and can stream Apple TV effectively.

Another EoY order was Yacht Bedding's fitted package. However, from what I've read, most everyone has that already unless they happen to have a seamstress living at home. I can't sew a button.

Lots of fun thinking about these projects as the temp. drops.

~Paul

 

[Marnis]

Hi All,

I have a 2018 RT 31CB. Does anyone know what size drop fins I would have to get for the factory installed Bennett trim tabs?

Thanks for your help,

Sonny

 

[Danation]

Yes, looking to improve cellphone signal for internet coverage allowing us to WFB (work from boat). In the PNW, coverage can be spotty particularly as you get up in the islands of the San Juans and Canadian border. Some great resources and bundles over at MoblieMustHave https://www.mobilemusthave.com/Mobile-Internet-Data_c_16.html

Hi Dan,
Are you adding the Pepwave antenna to improve WiFi and Mobile Phone reception? In our area, the ATT service is pretty good and I use that as a HotSpot. I'm able to work from boat and can stream Apple TV effectively.

 

[Wee Venture]

Hi All,

I have a 2018 RT 31CB. Does anyone know what size drop fins I would have to get for the factory installed Bennett trim tabs?

Thanks for your help,

Sonny

https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=6508000

These fit perfectly on our 2018 R-31CB. As far as I know, Bennett only makes one size, which fits a 12” chord (front to back).
Have had them installed for a few months now. I would say they definitely make an incremental improvement but not “night and day.” The difference will not be as dramatic as for a planing hull.

John

 

[serpa4]

2018 CW30.
1) Bennett trim tab drop fins are going on. haven't full committed though. Perhaps a larger SS plate mounted/welded to the bottom of the existing will work better and be pretty cheap. I need to do research still, but for the $40 for drop fins, no-brainer.
2) 870 watts of solar for extended off the hook. Have two 435 watt panels. Loved the 1000w on my sailboat.
3) Vespar smart/WiFi AIS.
4) Mantus 35lb, snap shackle, bridal, swivel.
5) Pull the auto tracking antenna. Have no need for it and its weight on the top of my boat. (funny, adding 100lbs of solar though up top).
6) Sharrow? Really want one of the D6 Volvo, but they want like 20k for a single one. Not going to recover that cost, but I really do want more range on a tank and this is the only thing that will do it. But, likely I'll just have a fuel bladder for extra 20-30 gallons.

 

[BB marine]

Not going to recover that cost, but I really do want more range on a tank and this is the only thing that will do it. But, likely I'll just have a fuel bladder for extra 20-30 gallons.

I installed a permanent 20 gallon fuel tank in My C26. I use it as an Auxiliary tank that fills from my main tank. I have valves set up to use one pump to pull fuel from the main tank, polish the fuel through a Racor 500 filter, then fill the aux tank. The fuel can then be transferred back to the main tank using the same pump, changing the valve positions. It again runs through the Racor 500 filter back to the main tank. The main tank pick up tube is 1/2 " deeper than the engine pickup tube to ensure that the engine pickup tube never picks up dirty fuel or water. The pick up in the aux tank is 1/4 " off the bottom to make sure I get the full capacity of the tank.

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Main tank is standard 1" off the bottom of the tank.leaving 4.5 gallons of unusable fuel. The auxiliary tank pickup pulls the bottom 3 gallons making sure that sludge ,sediment and water will never get picked up by the engine.
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I have used this for 3 seasons. My engine filters which I change yearly have never had water or any discoloration. The polishing filter has also had very little water and discoloration. Knock on wood I have been lucky and never picked up a bad patch of fuel.

This complete install was cheaper than the cost of a 25 gallon bladder tank.

Perhaps a larger SS plate mounted/welded to the bottom of the existing will work better and be pretty cheap. I need to do research

The Drop fins as per Bennett are equivalent to adding 6" extra plate (3" each side) I installed 6" larger tabs and found that to be very close. I would give the drop fins the edge.