A couple new install and maintenance projects

b_arrington

Well-Known Member
GOLD Sponsor
Feb 21, 2007
3,469
Setauket, NY
Boat Info
Back Cove 37
AB Ventus 9VL
Engines
Cummins QSC 8.3 600
I’ve been working on a bunch of projects on my boat. First the maintenance. Had the prop tuned, then put on PropGlide.

Before tuning.
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After tuning
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PropGlide
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Thruster props coated too

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I had …trouble getting the props off. Had to drill one out ant it was destroyed in the process.
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I also installed a new swim ladder. My old one sucked something awful, and it got ripped off the back of the boat last fall so I had a great opportunity to install a really nice one from a company called Nautinox. This is their 2201 4L model. The latter is actually wider than the available mounting spots on the underside of the swim platform so I needed to fabricate a stainless steel plate to which the ladder bracket could be attached. It turned out fantastic, and I’m really pleased with it.

Old ladder. It was left out and hit a mooring ball when under way.
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Picked up a new ladder from an Italian firm called Nautinox. It’s gorgeous. It has handles that pop up when the ladder is deployed. This is model 2201 4L - 4 step, wide.
upload_2022-5-17_18-29-20.jpeg


The ladder is wider than the existing mounting pad, so I had to fabricate a plate where everything would mount.

Tapping the plate after drilling a bunch of holes. Plate is 1/4” 316 stainless

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Nearly final, needs edges rounded.
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Plate and ladder mounting bracket installed under swim platform. I used all 316 stainless hardware and some epoxy. Inside the platform is 1/4” 6061 aluminum plate for attachment points.
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Final install.

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I also made a video that shows more detail.
 
I also finally got to do a project I’ve been waiting on since January 2021.

Its an electro-hydraulic swim step that is mounted under the swim platform. It’s called a SeaStep, made by Sea Lift (a CSR sponsor). They made a custom size for me.

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Deployed

upload_2022-5-17_18-46-0.jpeg
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I decided I needed an warning signal to tell me if the step was. It up before driving the boat. I designed and installed a switch that will activate a light unless the step is fully retracted.
upload_2022-5-17_18-47-37.jpeg


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You can see in the last pic that there just one set of wires for the main unit- the actuator is self contained in the step, no hydraulic lines.

It’s pretty sweet. I ,are a couple videos on it: just the operation, and overview before installing, and a final install overview.



 
I also finally got to do a project I’ve been waiting on since January 2021.

Its an electro-hydraulic swim step that is mounted under the swim platform. It’s called a SeaStep, made by Sea Lift (a CSR sponsor). They made a custom size for me.

View attachment 126828
View attachment 126827

View attachment 126829

Deployed

View attachment 126830View attachment 126831

I decided I needed an warning signal to tell me if the step was. It up before driving the boat. I designed and installed a switch that will activate a light unless the step is fully retracted.
View attachment 126833

View attachment 126832

You can see in the last pic that there just one set of wires for the main unit- the actuator is self contained in the step, no hydraulic lines.

It’s pretty sweet. I ,are a couple videos on it: just the operation, and overview before installing, and a final install overview.



I know how much those steps are…. You must really like getting off the boat :)
 
I needed it for
I know how much those steps are…. You must really like getting off the boat :)
I needed it for my wife. She has a medical condition that affects her legs and mobility. She really needs to keep cool in the summer so needs to be in the water. The OEM ladder was too narrow, too steep, and had no good hand holds for her to get out I had ordered the step so she could get into and out of the water easily.

First I was going to do the ladder. Then found the step. Covid severely delayed production so I needed alternative. My son’s friends helped out with the decision from the new ladder by leaving it out so it got smashed.

The Nautinox isn’t cheap either. I had tried import it from Italy. By the time all was done it was a bit over $1000.
 
Wow really nice job Brad, those sea steps look really nice. I am surprised you need the Nautinox ladder with those steps. Still very nice job.

Why did you use Prop Glide instead of Prop Speed, just curious?
 
Wow really nice job Brad, those sea steps look really nice. I am surprised you need the Nautinox ladder with those steps. Still very nice job.

Why did you use Prop Glide instead of Prop Speed, just curious?
Economics and open time. PropGlide is cheaper for more product, and has a longer open time to apply the top coat.

I realy hadn’t intended to do both the SeaStep and the Nautinox. But the Sea Step was so delayed and the ladder got damaged I had to do something. A second summer with no water egress for the Admiral was NOT an option.
 
I also installed a new swim ladder. My old one sucked something awful, and it got ripped off the back of the boat last fall so I had a great opportunity to install a really nice one from a company called Nautinox. This is their 2201 4L model. The latter is actually wider than the available mounting spots on the underside of the swim platform so I needed to fabricate a stainless steel plate to which the ladder bracket could be attached. It turned out fantastic, and I’m really pleased with it.

Old ladder. It was left out and hit a mooring ball when under way.
View attachment 126813View attachment 126815View attachment 126814

Picked up a new ladder from an Italian firm called Nautinox. It’s gorgeous. It has handles that pop up when the ladder is deployed. This is model 2201 4L - 4 step, wide.
View attachment 126817

The ladder is wider than the existing mounting pad, so I had to fabricate a plate where everything would mount.

Tapping the plate after drilling a bunch of holes. Plate is 1/4” 316 stainless

View attachment 126818


Nearly final, needs edges rounded.
View attachment 126819

Plate and ladder mounting bracket installed under swim platform. I used all 316 stainless hardware and some epoxy. Inside the platform is 1/4” 6061 aluminum plate for attachment points.
View attachment 126820

Final install.

View attachment 126821

View attachment 126824

I also made a video that shows more detail.
Tap magic no less…..impressive !
 
I got everything permanently wired in on my hydraulic step this weekend. It required a little body origami to route the power cables from the stern to the helm via the engine room and the "basement" under the helm. Fortunately, there are wire support ladders where I could push a wire fish rod through and then pull the wires.

One task was to install the "idiot light" at the helm. It's a small but bright LED that tells me if the step is not fully retracted - before engaging the engine. It would be - unfortunate - to run with the step down. Or worse, back into the slip with it out.
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For the actual activation switches, those went on a bulkhead in the cockpit. I already had a switch there for my electric shade, so replaced the single switch with a 3-gang array. I had custom switch covers made by New Wire Marine for both the step and the shade switches. The center switch supplies power to the one on the left for the step. I put this in as a safety measure. The step is powered off a helm sub-panel, and I didn't want an accidental activation particularly when someone is in the water - the hydraulics will have no mercy if something gets caught. I'll have to toggle on that middle power switch before being able to move the step.
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The power switch lights up when active so I can easily identify that it's on.
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And lastly, a somewhat gratuitous shot of the shiny transom after a wash. But it does show the 5 bolts used to mount the step through the swim platform.

upload_2022-5-23_10-48-33.png
 

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