420/44 DB Owners Club

[Xdream39]

Just wanted the share the electronics update I just did along with a new panel. maybe someone is also thinking about doing same.

Loving every minute of this boat!

 

[Irie308]

That is a great setup! Really like the layout of the gauges panel.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Just wanted the share the electronics update I just did along with a new panel. maybe someone is also thinking about doing same. View attachment 83048 View attachment 83054 Loving every minute of this boat!

What did you use for your panel material? I used black starboard for my center panel with the gs165 and put OEM gauges on the left on the OEM panel. I want to make it all match and am not that thrilled with the starboard. I don't want to pay what they get for the fake burl panels though.
Looks really sharp the way you placed your instruments and panels
Rusty

 

[Xdream39]

What did you use for your panel material? I used black starboard for my center panel with the gs165 and put OEM gauges on the left on the OEM panel. I want to make it all match and am not that thrilled with the starboard. I don't want to pay what they get for the fake burl panels though.
Looks really sharp the way you placed your instruments and panels
Rusty

Thank you. I had a fabricator make the panels out of some thick high quality black plastic. Not sure what it is, but it looks very nice in real life. I’ve seen the panel in carbon fiber and that also looks phenomenal.

 

[bajturner]

My kids complained that the lighting in the guest stateroom was a bit lacking. I tend to agree as there is no port light window in that state room on the 04 model. I added some led strips to each cubby as well as changed out the factory rope light. Huge improvement thus far.View attachment 82951

Looks great. I didn't didn't realize the port window was a later addition. It's great to have for light, but I wish it opened for ventilation, my girls find it gets really stuffy when no A/C on. I did install two Caframo fans which are a huge improvement.

Any ideas on making that openable?

 

[becnme]

Just wanted the share the electronics update I just did along with a new panel. maybe someone is also thinking about doing same. View attachment 83048 View attachment 83054 Loving every minute of this boat![/QUO

Looks great. Were you able to use your original autopilot with the newer control or was it replaced too?
Did you use a gateway to get the engine data to the MFD or was the smart craft system junked?
Thanks

 

[Xdream39]

I actually just changed the autopilot head to a Raymarine P70x Unit. It has seamless integration with the rest of the Raymarine equipment on board. Honestly, with Axiom’s Dock to Dock Autorouting features, combined with Radar - I let the boat run by itself to the destination. I just keep watch, monitor systems and adjust speed. Having been a pilot I can attest that this is as close as it gets to full and safe automation.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Thank you. I had a fabricator make the panels out of some thick high quality black plastic. Not sure what it is, but it looks very nice in real life. I’ve seen the panel in carbon fiber and that also looks phenomenal.

I think I'll order some carbon fiber wrap and cover my existing panels to see how that looks and if I like it Ill use the hot bonding equipment at the school to layup some panels, I have a tone of carbon fiber cloth on hand. Great idea!
Carpe Diem

 

[Islandtime04]

Has anyone with a 44 or 420 SD found gelcoat stress cracks on the fore deck? I've got a series of cracks about 18 inches long in the radius between the forward stateroom hatch and the fender lockers. They have been there since I bought the boat 5 years ago and don't seem to be growing. Just wondering if this is common.

I've got them too. Not sure why though. I figured it was a lack of support in that area.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

yep sane as mine, I posted about then a couple of weeks ago. I looks like I'm in good company although that doesn't make dealing with them any easier. I have been concerned that water could intrude and create issues especially if it froze but Ive not heard of anyone being too concerned. Are you contemplating a cosmetic repair?
CD

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Yep same as mine, I posted about them a couple of weeks ago. I looks like I'm in good company although that doesn't make dealing with them any easier. I have been concerned that water could intrude and create issues especially if it froze but I've not heard of anyone being too concerned. Are you contemplating a cosmetic repair?
CD

 

[Islandtime04]

No. I have not had a water intrusion issue and most any repair will look worse and may even return without fixing the underlying problem. There are "crack creeper" products that are supposed to seal it. I'd go that router first and stave off any water intrusion issues. I've used them on previous boats, with mixed results.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

No. I have not had a water intrusion issue and most any repair will look worse and may even return without fixing the underlying problem. There are "crack creeper" products that are supposed to seal it. I'd go that router first and stave off any water intrusion issues. I've used them on previous boats, with mixed results.

My main reason for not tackling this issue sooner has been the cosmetic issue. I'm really the only one that knows they are there but if I attempt a repair it may stick out like a sore thumb. I need to buy some gel coat and try it on an inconspicuous spot and see what the match looks like. I used to do this very repair on fiberglass hot tubs and bathroom fixtures in another life. I had to color match each unit and make it perfect for discerning custom home owners. I'm pretty sure I can pull it off, just not high on my to do list.
Cheers
CD

 

[sb in gp]

My experience in repairing the arctic white last year on my '06 was that the original color had not yet faded and the repair blended very well. That being said, I'm in a climate where we store the boats half the year, so your results may vary.

Scott

 

[craigswardmtb]

The PO never hooked up his new GT23 transducer to the Garmin 7612's. The transducer is installed, yet the cable was never run from the engine bay area up the helm/bridge. Does anyone have a good idea on the best route that leads up to the bridge before i start aimlessly exploring? I appreciate the help in advance.

 

[Jaybeaux]

@craigswardmtb , I don't know the route, but having just changed the transducer on my 420, it was recommended to me to run a backbone extension from the helm to the engine room, and then add the drop to connect the GT23. That way, if you ever want to add anything in the engine room to your NMEA 2000 network, you already have the backbone down there. Something to consider.

Jaybeaux

 

[Irie308]

I've found the best/easiest route is behind the cockpit fridge up to the bridge on the port side. Also agree with Jaybeaux. If you can extended your backbone to the ER it will give you much more flexibility in the future.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

The PO never hooked up his new GT23 transducer to the Garmin 7612's. The transducer is installed, yet the cable was never run from the engine bay area up the helm/bridge. Does anyone have a good idea on the best route that leads up to the bridge before i start aimlessly exploring? I appreciate the help in advance.

The PO never hooked up his new GT23 transducer to the Garmin 7612's. The transducer is installed, yet the cable was never run from the engine bay area up the helm/bridge. Does anyone have a good idea on the best route that leads up to the bridge before i start aimlessly exploring? I appreciate the help in advance.

@craigswardmtb , I don't know the route, but having just changed the transducer on my 420, it was recommended to me to run a backbone extension from the helm to the engine room, and then add the drop to connect the GT23. That way, if you ever want to add anything in the engine room to your NMEA 2000 network, you already have the backbone down there. Something to consider. Jaybeaux

There are two routs, One on the starboard side goes thru the entertainment center console and the other is on port behind the cockpit refer under the stairs. I recently ran STNG backbone to the entertainment center from the helm. Used a wire fish tape from the access behind the bridge A/C cab on the wall. I found it amazingly easy to fish the tape down. I have yet to go from there to the engine room but you can follow the huge wire conduit to where it enters the engine room.
Carpe Diem

 

[craigswardmtb]

Thanks guys. I may have to try the stbd side route as the transducer is mounted on that side. It may be cleaner and make it so the 30' cable reaches without extensions.

 

[Alex F]

There are two routs, One on the starboard side goes thru the entertainment center console and the other is on port behind the cockpit refer under the stairs. I recently ran STNG backbone to the entertainment center from the helm. Used a wire fish tape from the access behind the bridge A/C cab on the wall. I found it amazingly easy to fish the tape down. I have yet to go from there to the engine room but you can follow the huge wire conduit to where it enters the engine room.
Carpe Diem

To get to ER from there, you need to take the STBD locker (our "shoes closet") apart. It has several boards that provide a seal between ER and the salon. I don't recall at the moment, but it's very possible that you will also need to break some silicon for clear passage.

The PORT side route is easier, but obviously it involves removing a cockpit fridge. There you'll see existing wires run filled with silicon, which you'll have to break to get your wires through.