16’ Mantra Tunnel Black Thunder

[Fonz69]

I gotta ask, (because I'm jealous of your energy) are you retired? Or are you doing this after a long day of work? Either way, I'm loving the build and the updates.

Up at 4am and average 10+ hrs. Plus 70+ mile drive one way or more depending on the project site. Come home and try to get something done each night. “How do you eat an elephant?” One bite at a time.

 

[Fonz69]

Parts going back in. Hopefully for the last time.

Motor back in it’s home.

Max cutting the supports for the center pod.

Marking out the plate for the front attachment point.

Thought here is to install the composite material over the aluminum using the front mount in the floor that was glassed in place when the boat was built. Then attach an angle at the glassed in brace in front of the motor.

Making the rear mount.

Rails in place.

Old center board extremely heavy and has potential to fail soon with rot.

New setup is about half the weight and will last as long as the boat is around.
Mocked up the shifter and wanted it to attach through the top composite with carpet and I’ll use 2 of the fastening points and drill/tap them into the channel below. This will secure the whole panel to the channel and make it removable if we ever need to access below.

 

[Fonz69]

Battery tray installed and working on alternator alignment. I added some double back reinforced tape to the bottom of the battery tray then a layer of rubber drawer liner in order to protect the hull from any rub spots.

 

[HAP]

Those ARP fasteners are sooo nice to work with...

R,
HAP

 

[Fonz69]

Those ARP fasteners are sooo nice to work with...

R,
HAP

Yes they are, just wish they would sell even numbers in a pack though I usually find a use for the extras

 

[HAP]

Same here. Having those extra ones usually lead to another order to finish another project

R,
HAP

 

[Fonz69]

Little behind on updates so here is the alternator going in. Made a turnbuckle adjuster and used the front motor mount. Only took a .050 shim to move the alternator out to line up with the crank pulley.

Again there are several fancy cnc billet brackets out there but this project is on a tight budget so $25 at the hardware store has to do.

 

[Fonz69]

Time to make a few brackets. Found some scrap around the shop so let’s get creative.

Bilge pump mount. Used one of the taller intake studs to secure it. Not many location options so this will have to do.

Fuel pressure regulator is up next.

 

[Fonz69]

Now starts the electrical fun.
I want to add a battery disconnect similar to my boat and try to keep the wiring clean as possible. Another trip to Menards and picked up a 6x6 weathertight box and started arranging things until it made sense.

Used 1/4-20 panel nuts to secure the box and the MSD to the RH mid support.

Some scrap composite plate makes a nice lightweight weatherproof bracket.

Pulled the wires in and should work nice.

Alternator wire run. All the wires will be covered and secured but for now it’s figuring out where it all will go and routing it close.

Used the ENT conduit to secure and chase the wires up to the dash. More updates soon as the wiring fun continues

 

[Fonz69]

Max learning how to install decals and added his official number 97 to the scoop for UMPBA.

 

[Fonz69]

Finishing up the electrical. Had to pickup a new fuse block as the one that came with the boat would still show voltage when the fuse was removed.

Not perfect but much better than the rats nest of added on and cut up wiring over years of multiple owners.

 

[Fonz69]

Time for water and fuel lines. Max learning the fun of assembling AN fittings.

T from each tank into a fuel filter then over to the pump.

Headers back on, ignition spark test confirmed, lights work, bilge pump makes pump noises. Horn needs a little help, you have to push the button than tap the horn
Oh well it’s always something.

 

[Fonz69]

Made a plate to cover the terrible old install holes of the diverter. Now it’s a home for the pump monitoring lines. Bowl psi, high and low psi and inside is the keel monitor.

Bracket and some more McMaster Carr parts.

My testing setup I use in my boat will plug into these ports and uses a GoPro to record the data on the pass.

 

[Fonz69]

When we found the blue seats that were separated from the boat over time they had some stainless plates made to use. Drivers side lined up but the passenger side needed some adjusting to balance out. Had to make some brackets for each side but the seats are ready to bolt down.

Next up is the carpet.

 

[HST4ME]

NICE

 

[stoker2001]

LOVE IT!Kids learning mad skills