Spring projects

[tcf25]

Seems like forever since I have posted...last season got away from me training my new pup and other obligations. Got the new trailer for her last year and she sat on it for the rest of the year. Installed a new washdown pump today and have a few other projects to tackle before splash day.

[Deputyrpa]

Every season seems to get away from me! Priority is to train your pup though!

[Quik Fix]

I have projects all the time. What I do. My 26 has been out of the water for a year. Hopefully going in with the stroker in a few weeks. 16 runs great and I finally have the 20 with a dependable engine.

[holty]

New oil cooler and a tune-up of the aftercooler by my mechanic for the Yanmar. I installed a new gasket around the engine cover. New engine zincs. Monday was a spring-like day here so I went at the running gear, trim tabs, and the bottom with the palm sander, wire brush, scraper, etc. She is ready to paint so I ordered my favorite ablative paint from Total Boat and it was here a day later.

If you are in need of bottom paint I am very pleased with the performance and price of the Total Boat products. A gallon of paint comes with a roller, pan, and a Tyvek paint suit.

regards Holty

[tuner]

Rhodan trolling motor powered by a bank of 100ah LiFePO4 batteries.

[My My Hey Hey]

Now our in-house hotroder is going "all electric".
We're doomed!

[Ship]

From Wrench Head to Sparky. 😎

[tuner]

Hahaha... don't worry, all my toys burn hydrocarbons for primary power. I guess it does make the Mack a bit of a hybrid, lol.

[holty]

If I still had my Mack I would have a Rhodan too. They are game-changers. Slow trolling for fluke and spot lock for blackfish. Good luck with her. Any pictures?

regards Holty

[tuner]

Exactly! I fish the same way, just different species here in CA (halibut and calico bass)

I just started the mock up last weekend and it is a bit involved getting a 90" "hammer" mounted on the bow. I will post pictures once I have settled on the mounting.

[tuner]

Its on there! The mount is a bit chunky now and will not receive any award for artistic design but I will whittle it down a bit and coat it with white Line-x for a "cleaner" look. A RAM adjustable strut mount will support the shaft from the sloped area in front of the hatch.

The 3 batteries are going in the head with the charger, I have been using this area for tackle storage. The batteries will be mounted to the floor and I will fab a plastic cover for protection and storage on top.

Yes, the anchor and windlass still works!

[My My Hey Hey]

Very nice. When are you testing it?

[tuner]

I hope to test next weekend. The batteries and charger are mounted. The power wires and circuit breaker are next and it will be ready to run.

[tcf25]

I hope to add the trolling motor next year...what length shaft have people been going with for their 26 footers?

[tuner]

My Rhodan is 84", it should work fine up to about a 3' swell. You could run a shorter shaft in calm conditions or if it wasn't perched over the anchor.

[tuner]

I have some tidying up to do yet but it works! I located the batteries and charger in the head and ran the power wires under the wooden trim up into the anchor locker. The Anderson connectors are just inside the deck pipe (not used with the vertical windlass).

Going in the water tomorrow!

[Deputyrpa]

Nice setup! I'm looking at a Minn Kota to link to my Hummingbird Helix. The problem is battery placement, as the wife wants the head operational.

[tuner]

Thanks! So far it has been great. The single 36v 60AH (Dakota, etc.) batteries that would take up less space than the 3 big group 31 sized batteries I installed. They are more expensive but take up far less space. Based on three trips, I think 60AH would be enough for a full day of fishing on spot lock.

[Deputyrpa]

Thanks! So far it has been great. The single 36v 60AH (Dakota, etc.) batteries that would take up less space than the 3 big group 31 sized batteries I installed. They are more expensive but take up far less space. Based on three trips, I think 60AH would be enough for a full day of fishing on spot lock.

Thanks for the info!!

[The Mitten]

Its on there! The mount is a bit chunky now and will not receive any award for artistic design but I will whittle it down a bit and coat it with white Line-x for a "cleaner" look. A RAM adjustable strut mount will support the shaft from the sloped area in front of the hatch.

The 3 batteries are going in the head with the charger, I have been using this area for tackle storage. The batteries will be mounted to the floor and I will fab a plastic cover for protection and storage on top.

Yes, the anchor and windlass still works!

Tuner, how has the Rhodan been? Trouble free? Is the 84" long enough? I'd like to install one for vertical walleye and salmon jigging.

[tuner]

Overall, the Rhodan has been great and the 84" shaft is plenty for my mounting location, it is a game changer.

I had a problem with the head over rotating in one direction and winding the cable up. Rhodan shipped a new control board and it has resolved the problem. Rhodan customer service has been excellent.