Busy weekend. Underskinning and gauges

[DRock]

I've been wanting to underskin my toon for a while and got tired of the surging when in chop or hitting wakes. I used .063 aluminum. 2-4x10 sheets, and 1-4x8 sheet and have just a little left over. I got them cut to length with the exception of notching for the transom. I put the sheets long ways(48" wide) and used 4.5"x4" 90*(my buddy bent it on the brake for me).063 to cover the remaining gap on the top and sides. I used exactly 2 boxes(160) of the teks 1" roofing self tapping screws with gaskets.

Tomorrow i plan to install my trim gauge and water pressure gauge. I already installed the fitting in engine and ran the tube up to the front.

Here's some pics of the underskinning:

[lakerunner]

Looks great

[Bamaman]

I think you'll be impressed with how much smoother and quieter your boat runs when you throw the pedal to it.

Wave shields are well worth the effort. Yours looks great, and you can even remove the sheets if you need to do maintenance.

[HandymanHerb]

[evinrude2stroke]

Nice job. How long did it take?

[DRock]

Thanks guys. It took a good several hours. Ofcourse that time includes finding and consuming cold beverages while "thinking".

[evinrude2stroke]

Thanks guys. It took a good several hours. Ofcourse that time includes finding and consuming cold beverages while "thinking".

That's always the best way!

[DRock]

I've got the gauges installed and working. Looks like i have about 6-8psi water pressure at idle and about 16psi at 4,000rpm(on the hose). Does that sound pretty normal?

I WAS going to mount the gauges where the depth finder is and actually predrilled the holes. I was getting ready to run the wires over and realized that i had had a major brain fart. With the throttle wide open, the lever blocked both of the gauges . I hadnt even started drinking yet. Maybe that was the problem?

I ended up mounting the gauges on the left side of the console which is fine. I didn't realize that the gauge bezel was going to be imitation wood grain. Not my cup of tea, but it doesn't look too bad? I got the carbon fiber look because it kind of goes with the dark gray inlay on the seats. I had to do the seperate gauge pod because I had no where else to mount the gauges. Let me know what you guys think.

[curtiscapk]

freakin awesome all the way around!

[redbeard]

Looks good man good job.

[DRock]

Thanks guys. I'm hoping Wednesday afterwork i can take her to the lake for a bit and see how the underskinning does. I know it'll be a better, smoother, ride, but i'm hoping for a mph or two? I'll keep ya'll updated.

[BobG]

Holy cats! You've been screwing your brains out! How many screws IS that?

[evinrude2stroke]

looks great.
I really want to know how your ride improves with the under skinning. I may have to make that a fall project.

[DRock]

Well i just got back from a water test. Huge improvement in ride and noise. It feels like a new boat in that aspect. Speed wise-I didn't gain an ounce. Same 30mph gps as i had last time. The noise reduction and ride improvement are worth it to me though, so i'm satisfied.

The ramp was empty so i decided to take off my 13.5x15 prop to try my 13.25x17. The 13.5x15 was turning about 5600rpm at 30mph. The 13.25x17 was turning 5200rpm at 29mph. Looks like the 13.5x15 is my best prop all around.

Are there any other props i need to consider? These props are just aluminum Solas Amita's, nothing special.

[DRock]

I forgot to mention that the water pressure gauge worked great. i was at 8-9psi at idle and 22-25psi at wide open throttle. The trim gauge i was not as impressed with. The needle barely moved from being trimmed all the way down up until i get prop blow out. I may need to look into another gauge.