New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

I sure hope you enjoy this boat, it is almost a full time job, that said, I would enjoy what you are doing.

I don't recall a boat I haven't liked yet, nlain. Any captain worth a grain of salt would make it full time. As you know, there is almost always something to do on a boat of any size. So far I have a 3 page list. I compare it to babysitting the neighbors beloved dog, we do the best we can. That's all I can ask for from myself.

Good day!

 

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Diamond plate kind of announces, "This is important, and not to be messed with.

You have a good point, veritas honus. I'm thinking more in the lines of lexan so I can make a quick visual at times. I'm one of those that keeps an eye on gauges and breakers at all times.

Thanks, my friend!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

My turn to chime in...nice pick up on the job by the way...

Regarding the TV space...what about a nice wood/wrought iron wine rack? Seems as though it would fit in nicely with the decor of the boat. Something with wood & smoked glass doors to cover & keep the bottles from shooting out during a large wake?

Also was thinking about the switch cover. I made one from a cuddy cabin I had with 1/4" plexiglass from Lowes. Cuts easily with a jigsaw and you can easily file/sand the edges to a nice bevel or round-over. Hinge at the top or bottom, or even two hinges on either side and butter-fly the opening. You can't hit the breakers but you can easily see their position. It's pretty inexpensive as well. Less than $25 for everything.

Is it June yet???

 

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

My turn to chime in...nice pick up on the job by the way...


Is it June yet???

Thanks Fireman, I appreciate any input you wish to offer.

I really like the wine rack idea. That would look nice! Problem is there is a wet bar area with liquor storage and a wine rack (fully loaded), ice maker and glasses, in the salon. I will seriously give it some thought anyway.

I've decided on plexiglass for the breaker cover. I may have to get a friend who is an expert on these things to fabricate one for me. I can do alot of things, but give me a saw and ask me to cut out something that needs to look professional, pure failure. :facepalm:

June will be before you know it!

 

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

I noticed a slight smell of diesel fuel in the master stateroom. I found the aft fuel tanks under the bunk. There was a leak in a sending unit. All fixed now.....I'm not sure how to clean this area, I can't get to it. In the past I have used Pine-Sol.

Any ideas of a cleaner any better?
What kind of odor neutralizer do you use? I'm afraid the A/C duct work is contaminated also.

Thanks!

 

[veritas honus]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

I noticed a slight smell of diesel fuel in the master stateroom. I found the aft fuel tanks under the bunk. There was a leak in a sending unit. All fixed now.....I'm not sure how to clean this area, I can't get to it. In the past I have used Pine-Sol.

Any ideas of a cleaner any better?
What kind of odor neutralizer do you use? I'm afraid the A/C duct work is contaminated also.

Thanks!

I've found "Simple Green" to work very well. It's a natural degreaser. It also deoderizes very well. Dawn and lemon juice together, also work wonders.

For the ducts, Ozium, Odoban, or a natural citrus deoderizer.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

+1 on the Dawn & lemon juice. Dawn also breaks down the fuel enough (so I've heard) that if any gets into the bilge water, it's supposed to be safe enough to discharge overboard. I would verify obviously before doing that or risk a hefty fine.

Wish I knew earlier that you wanted a couch reupholstered. That's what I do! It would have given me a great reason to load up the trailer and head south to Jensen!

 

[nlain]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

The people that clean the birds that are caught in the oil spills use the Blue Dawn, they say it is the best thing to break down the oil and get it off of the birds without harm to them or anything else. Don't know about the bilge water part as to whether it is safe to pump overboard. Simple green is also a good cleaner for this type of thing. I think I would go with the Blue Dawn and Lemon Juice on this job.

 

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Thanks guys!

I'm going with blue Dawn and lemon juice. As for the duct work, I just ordered some Odo Ban.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Thanks guys!

I'm going with blue Dawn and lemon juice. As for the duct work, I just ordered some Odo Ban.

So we're all in agreement... You guys noticing a trend here?

 

[nlain]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

So we're all in agreement... You guys noticing a trend here?

Nobody ever said anything different did they. We all like boats, we all like to take care of the boats we are around, we all enjoy our time on the water, and to coin a phrase "BOAT=Best Of All Times" , I think we all fit that description.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Crap...that's what BOAT stands for...I was going with:

B eer
O r
A bsolut
T hanks!

 

[scoutboater]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Hey Sasto, I caught this thread a few weeks ago and have been watching it. It looks like you've got a real beauty on your hands. Congratulations!

As far as a cover for the DC breakers, I think a clear plexiglass or similar cover would be best. Normally I would love a custom stainless cover, but I don't think it really fits this style lady. The plexiglass will be just as functional and less conspicuous, with the added bonus of still being able to see the breakers.

Now, I just need to become independently wealthy so I can buy my own and get you to come help me fix it up!

 

[veritas honus]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Nobody ever said anything different did they. We all like boats, we all like to take care of the boats we are around, we all enjoy our time on the water, and to coin a phrase "BOAT=Best Of All Times" , I think we all fit that description.

Well put nlain.

Crap...that's what BOAT stands for...I was going with:

B eer
O r
A bsolut
T hanks!

Fireman, you never cease to amaze me!!!

 

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Hey Sasto, I caught this thread a few weeks ago and have been watching it. It looks like you've got a real beauty on your hands. Congratulations!

As far as a cover for the DC breakers, I think a clear plexiglass or similar cover would be best. Normally I would love a custom stainless cover, but I don't think it really fits this style lady. The plexiglass will be just as functional and less conspicuous, with the added bonus of still being able to see the breakers.

Now, I just need to become independently wealthy so I can buy my own and get you to come help me fix it up!

I agree, scoutboater. I'll be making one out of plexi. I hope someday you become wealthy too. Make it soon!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Sasto...when making your cover out of plexi, if you decide to have the sides (or front) turn down 90? as supports, a heat gun works very well. When I made mine I heated the sides for 3-4 minutes and bent it over a piece of wooden dowel rod about the diameter of a pencil. Worked beautifully. Then it's just trim to fit.

 

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Sasto...when making your cover out of plexi, if you decide to have the sides (or front) turn down 90? as supports, a heat gun works very well. When I made mine I heated the sides for 3-4 minutes and bent it over a piece of wooden dowel rod about the diameter of a pencil. Worked beautifully. Then it's just trim to fit.

I like your thinking, Fireman.

But I'm also thinking that technique would look too modern for my app. I'm leaning towards using plexi battons screwed into the cover to compensate for the rise I need to clear the breakers. Or maybe some small stantions on the lower sections and hinge at the top.

Thanks Buddy!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Small brass stanchions would look great. Maybe cut out a small section of brass or polished copper pipe would look at home there...

 

[veritas honus]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

Small brass stanchions would look great. Maybe cut out a small section of brass or polished copper pipe would look at home there...

Fireman,
This time you beat me to it... 3/8 copper pipe/tubing was my first thought; I love copper, it's my favorite metal. Then I thought brass is probably more appropriate, being that it's one of the most classic nautical metals. It also happens to be all over this beautiful boat. Fireman, have I ever told you great minds think alike? (No... I'm really not that forgetful.)

Sasto,
You can easily cut slots in the pipe/tubing with a Dremel Tool or Roto-Zip to set the plexi. Lexan is much more scratch resistant and not much more money for the thickness and quantity you'll need. Anyway, after the slots are cut, the pipe/tubes can be filled with 100% silicon caulk to provide stability, shock absorption, and to eliminate vibration noise/damage. This is going to be a fun little project, however you choose to fabricate.

Are you aware of the penalties involved with failing to provide step by step pics?
If not, we'll have to get back to you on that... We havn't yet discussed the subject. The boat your doing this for is 50+ feet? Well, I think hauling you 'round the keel may be a bit overkill; but don't think it won't get ugly. I bet you can count on your First Mate to save your tail, and take pictures as you go.

June will be soon!!!

 

[sasto]

Re: New Job, 501 Constellation, Good and Bad.

I'm glad I haven't started that breaker cover yet. Thanks guys for the ideas. I really, really like the idea of brass stanchions.

Here is half of the flybridge couch that's getting repaired. The other half is in the shop. I wish Fireman was doing this job!

We bought these helm chairs for a couple hundred dollars. What a steal!

It's nice having this boat just a few steps from my front door. What a blessing!