Be Free wrote: ↑Thu Dec 11, 2025 8:28 pm
That is an amazing transformation. It's hard to believe it's the same boat!
Good point. I think it was the old "frog in the heating water" phenomenon at work. I have kept my boat in a marina slip virtually the whole time I have owned her. Florida sun and weather were taking its toll. But it has been the tradeoff for having it ready to use in a doable fashion for my age and limitations. It was time to do something. This will give me another several years and allow her to retain her physical integrity and value. I will keep her at home during the holidays, then take her to another facility for a couple of weeks to have the Bimini replaced such that the cockpit enclosure will still zip and close the way it was designed. I'll put a coat of wax on the sides between the new top side paint (rub rail and up) and the new bottom paint. I guess I operate from one basic internal injunction---boats deserve the best we can do for them to extend their lives for as long as reasonably doable and then find a new owner who will continue what we have begun. I just can't bear to see boats just fade into forgotten derelicts. Not on my watch; not with my boats!
I got her home a few days before Christmas. The Admiral says this is my Christmas present...for 2025, 2026, 2027, and possibly 2028! I'll take it. Next we go for a new Bimini to fit the cockpit enclosure I already have which is in good shape. And I think it is time to replace the 6 circuit 12 volt breaker panel. Another fuse holder refuses to reseat itself. Second one to go. Got away with a repair to the one before, but it is clear they are all losing their battle with age (28 years). Hopefully back in the water by February.
That looks great. Now you own the nicest looking X in the world.
I replaced my fuse panel with a breaker panel. Many claim fuses are better and they are probably right. But I've blown fuses and when underway it's really hard to replace one.
Russ wrote: ↑Mon Dec 29, 2025 6:36 am
That looks great. Now you own the nicest looking X in the world.
I replaced my fuse panel with a breaker panel. Many claim fuses are better and they are probably right. But I've blown fuses and when underway it's really hard to replace one.
Interesting. Yes, my 110 shore power has a breaker, but the 12 volt stuff is all on fuse panels with on/off switches, of course. Did you do the wiring? Mine looks like a plate of spaghetti back there. I'm hesitant to try it myself.
While I have a high regard for my X, I have to agree
Russ wrote: ↑Mon Dec 29, 2025 6:36 am
That looks great. Now you own the nicest looking X in the world.
I replaced my fuse panel with a breaker panel. Many claim fuses are better and they are probably right. But I've blown fuses and when underway it's really hard to replace one.
Herschel wrote: ↑Mon Dec 29, 2025 7:45 pm
Interesting. Yes, my 110 shore power has a breaker, but the 12 volt stuff is all on fuse panels with on/off switches, of course. Did you do the wiring? Mine looks like a plate of spaghetti back there. I'm hesitant to try it myself.
I bought Nigel Calder's book on marine electrical. I can't remember why fuses in certain marine situations is preferred. Nevertheless, I see breakers on boats all the time.
Yes, I replaced the panel myself and did some improvements. It DOES look like spaghetti back there. On my boat the ground bus was a bolt. I also added more circuits and a proper bus bar.
My understanding is prior to ~ 2007 Roger used lamp cord for much of the DC wiring. So many of our boats could use rewiring anyway.
Not a job I recommend if you are not comfortable with DC wiring (or any electrical).
Hershel that paint job looks nice. We did a complete rewire on our boat and found a bucket full of wire that went no where. We were unable to rewire the running lights, the red, green and the rear white light. Never figured out where the wires ran except it is behind the interior liner somewhere. Those lights still work fine. We also added a few interior lights. LED one foot long strip lights in the back under the cockpit and a couple of lights over the table, along with numerous 12 volt plugs for fridge, phones ext.
OverEasy wrote: ↑Tue Dec 30, 2025 4:22 pm
Hi Herschel!
Your way ahead on the Christmas present score card…even through 2028!
The boat looks gorgeous!
Again Congratulations!
BTW: Did I detect a ‘Gold’ stripe above the waterline?
Best Regards,
Over Easy
Yes, I did get a gold stripe that runs above the black waterline strip. I was assured by my bottom painter two paint jobs ago that it would make my boat go faster!
ris wrote: ↑Tue Dec 30, 2025 2:35 pm
Hershel that paint job looks nice. We did a complete rewire on our boat and found a bucket full of wire that went no where. We were unable to rewire the running lights, the red, green and the rear white light. Never figured out where the wires ran except it is behind the interior liner somewhere. Those lights still work fine. We also added a few interior lights. LED one foot long strip lights in the back under the cockpit and a couple of lights over the table, along with numerous 12 volt plugs for fridge, phones ext.
Did your rewire involve soldering? I am totally unskilled at soldering; hence my hesitancy to tackle the job. I have messed about with a multimeter, but not really skilled in its use. I never quite know which scale to use. My skill set is mostly in managing upkeep and repairs (i.e., finding good techs), occasional fiberglass repair, steel trailer maintenance (boy, can I grind), painting, and most recently deploying flotation foam!
