Can gas struts be placed on this?

[scca vette]

I noticed the rear engine cover is VERY heavy and was wondering if anybody has placed gas struts on these to make it easier for them to open?

Here is a pic of the rear engine cover
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p193/KustomDeZigns/Baja Boat/IMGP2621.jpg

 

[clockwatcher]

Re: Can gas struts be placed on this?

Sure. Make sure the mounting points are solid. This cover wieghts 50-60 lbs. and I used struts to support it.

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo76/harrije2/boat/P1010018.jpg

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Can gas struts be placed on this?

Yes, you can use struts but most people use them as a lift assist and still use a support. They tend to be money spent for little use. I will be willing to bet there will be a sticker shock and many are not stainless steel.

Picture instructions here and the preferred photo size is 640 x 480 http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=285637

 

[clockwatcher]

Re: Can gas struts be placed on this?

640 x 480...10-4.

What about lifting for the sniff test? The biggest problem I've had with the struts is that they're under load when the cover is closed and the ball and knuckle connection becomes loose and they pop off. Without a solid support the cover comes down hard on whatever body parts are in the way.

 

[scca vette]

Made progress on the BAJA rebuild.

Made progress on the BAJA rebuild.

Well no sooner did I get it home and I started tearing into it to see what I have and what I need.

First thing was to remove all the decals and window tint along with cleaning all the crap out of it. This took the entire first day.

Second was to do some cleaning and checking on how much work I had in for myself. I removed all the front cushions so they can be either cleaned or recovered. I then noticed the ski well had a lot of muck in it sooo got the old pressure washer out and went to town.

I was able to get the well pretty clean however I noticed the water was not draining very fast. I removed the center of the floor that covers the fuel tank (this piece is just screwed in) to get a look and see why the water would not drain. Well it seems the water runs UNDER the tank and I was not able to see much so the tank was removed. It looked like just muck and crap over the years was restricting flow so again a good cleaning with the pressure washer.

I did notice that the drain holes do not go all the way to the floor and are about 1/2 inch up from the bottom of the boat. I think I will get in there and trim these down to the floor so the water has a flat unrestricted area to flow out.

Next I started cleaning on the outside of the boat. It was looking pretty chalky from neglect. I wet sanded the side with 1500 grit and then went to twn with the buffer and 3M compound. I think it came out pretty good and should really look good after some wax is put on it.

Before

After

 

[scca vette]

Re: Made progress on the BAJA rebuild.

Re: Made progress on the BAJA rebuild.

Before

After

I also cleaned the rub rail with the enamel reducer to remove all the scuff marks from it and make it black again.

Next step is to remove the rotten board from up fron that is causing the window not to fit. Lucky for me it is just bolted in.

I will be removing the rest of the seating this week and drilling some inspection holes in the floor. I have to say that what I have seen so far the wood under the floor does not look all that bad. This could change when I get into it though.

 

[redfury]

Re: Made progress on the BAJA rebuild.

Re: Made progress on the BAJA rebuild.

looking good! Drainage..it's always the drainage!

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Made progress on the BAJA rebuild.

Re: Made progress on the BAJA rebuild.

Nice boat!. Do I see some rot on the stringers by the tank?

 

[scca vette]

Few things completed on the BAJA today!

Few things completed on the BAJA today!

I decided to do a few cosmetic items today so I could feel like I was getting something completed.

Old light

New Light

Old Chrome Vent!

New black vent and made a new Islander 216 decal. Went with a different font than what was original.

I am considering a logo on the side of the boat that match the stripes. Here is a photo chop of what I was thinking of. What does everybody think?

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Few things completed on the BAJA today!

Re: Few things completed on the BAJA today!

The logo looks nice, I would go with it!

 

[scca vette]

Where to get 1 1/4 fuel fill hose?

Where to get 1 1/4 fuel fill hose?

I am getting ready to put the floor back in the boat and found the fuel fill hose is in really bad shape. I checked all over town and the cheapest I could find a 8 foot section was around $125 bucks. Has anybody replaced this hose and if so what did you use and where did you get it??

You can see the hose in the left side of the photo attached!

 

[MountaineerMiner]

Re: Where to get 1 1/4 fuel fill hose?

Re: Where to get 1 1/4 fuel fill hose?

Did you try NAPA yet? I was shocked at what the more consumer oriented auto parts chains, AutoZone/AdvanceAuto, tried to sell me...one guy even tried to tell me radiator hose would work. At least in north central WV NAPA mostly services garages and has minimal retail. I bought 3' for $10 about a month ago there.

 

[scca vette]

Re: Where to get 1 1/4 fuel fill hose?

Re: Where to get 1 1/4 fuel fill hose?

Did you try NAPA yet? I was shocked at what the more consumer oriented auto parts chains, AutoZone/AdvanceAuto, tried to sell me...one guy even tried to tell me radiator hose would work. At least in north central WV NAPA mostly services garages and has minimal retail. I bought 3' for $10 about a month ago there.

Actually NAPA was my first stop. I have a very good relationship with our local NAPA and he advised me where to go (local truck store) because it would be cheaper and they did not have it in stock however it was still very expensive. I had the same issue with others wanting me to use just regular hose however it runs under the floor and I am not going to even consider it. There is a couple small towns around here that have NAPA stores maybe I will check at those and see if they have some in stock, they are more "farmer" oriented.

 

[clockwatcher]

Re: Where to get 1 1/4 fuel fill hose?

Re: Where to get 1 1/4 fuel fill hose?

This hose is USCG A1 fire resistant hose as is the vent line and the engine feed. Autozone hose is not recommended. Good double stainless clamps on each connection.

I didn't find anything on iboats. I ordered from a competitor. Search for "Vetus" and hold on to your wallet. 14' of 1-1/2" filler and 5/8" vent was around $400

By the way, I tore into mine because of a fuel leak. Not good.

 

[jvl711]

Re: Where to get 1 1/4 fuel fill hose?

Re: Where to get 1 1/4 fuel fill hose?

I just put an order in to wholesalemarine.com for Fill, Vent and fuel line. I did not see 1-1/4 fill line though. Only 1-1/2. Are you sure it is 1-1/4 inside diameter hose?

iboats does carry 1-1/2 inch fill line in 10' length, but it is currently out of stock.

 

[geeco1]

Re: Where to get 1 1/4 fuel fill hose?

Re: Where to get 1 1/4 fuel fill hose?

I think that the Lowes and/or Home Depot may carry fuel line in the bulk spools section. When I was looking for live-well hose, I thought that I saw fuel line hose also.