Bow Roller Placement and Other Modifications

Tug

Today the weather was around 5C here, beautiful and sunny. I decided to do a few things on my boat. I removed the old bow roller, all the old electonics and wiring.Only cut one wire i shouldn't of, the interior lite wire.

First i would like to know how far i should place my BRM4 bow roller off the bow. I did i mock up with the anchor/anchor, where i placed it there was about an inch of space between the anchor and the bow/hull . Would that be enough or should i place it as far forward where i am still able to get bolts in.

As to the electronics,after removing the electonics i am left with a GPS reciever and a 8 ft antenna on the roof that are useless to me now. Are there any commerial caps that i can buy to fit and seal these holes or do i have to plug and glass them... Thanks Tug

breausaw

Tug · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:08 pm Post subject:

Jay...forgot to mention its a Claw type anchor. I will move it as far forward as possible just to be safe. Thanks
Tug

breausaw · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 8:42 pm Post subject:

Claw or Bruce, I think they are synonymous.

Byrdman · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:18 am Post subject:

Tug: I like it when I see someone tossing some TLC towards a classic! Thanks!

On the thru holes, I would go back and see what was done the first time the holes were drilled out. If it looks like they were coated in some nice epoxy, then the thru bolts put in to secure what ever was mounted, with a bit of 4200 or similar to prevent leaks... If you can not tell if there is any epoxy on the holes, put some in there, allow it to cure/dry. Then, put the shortest possible stainless bolts w/plastic washers back in place with stainless nuts....using again a bit of 4200 or similar. Then, just check out your local hardware store, I know our local ACE hardware has the plastic caps for both the nuts and screw/bolt heads. That makes for a clean finish...and, some day...when you are ready to put more toys back on the boat, the holes are ready...unless you need to drill them out larger...and then...start back with the epoxy. It just takes a few minutes more. This also prevents you from getting a "dalmatian" look on your interior gel coat too which will happen with the glass work.

I have also found the use of eye nuts to be sweet at times. It gives you a "spot" to hang things, loop something thru rather than just capping off a nut, but, they may be too large (the eye nut) for the whole you have or come down too low in the cabin and become a head banger spot. I like the eye nuts.

Tug · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:37 am Post subject:

Byrdman............good idea..never thought of that and it makes for a clean looking and easier /repair. Thanks i will go that route.

Tug

thataway · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 10:42 pm Post subject:

Byrdman's suggestions are excellent. You may have some holes where the cables went thru--and these may be too big for the bolts. You can fill with glass mat, and polyester resin, then fair the surface with polyester resin and filling compound (such as cabosil)--then gel coat. It will not match the non skid (although you can take a Dremel tool and re-creat that if you wish).

The question I have is, why are you going without a radio and GPS?

Tug · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 11:11 am Post subject:

thataway.....i have a newer GPS and fishfinder that i will install. I still have the CB and Marine radio antenna still left on the roof. The antenna that i remove was wired to some Loran LAT/Long..display....i hope. ha!ha!
Tug