A rebuild thread to keep you all happy for the long winter

Right….stop it you lot……i dont want this thread to be 9 pages on plugs! Lets press on an talk controls

The old style volvo controls in situ are obviously well aged. The lower helm felt fine but the upper was performing poorly. The levers would creep back despite some grub screw adjustment being done. The (click) indent was poor on both and had no “feel”
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I looked at electronic options and found morse KE4 (not called morse anymore) can still be found but was £6k. Thats a no. Had a good look round and found the multipler that looked in good condition so decided to just stick with the tried and test MT3’s. £99 each from good old aliexpress. The purists will say i should have gone genuine morse but the more i buy stuff like this, the more i think its all the same physical products
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This was my first time changing controls. The hole left by the old throttles needed altering which was no drama but as cables etc…where already in place, it was a proper pain of a job due to not having tons of cable slack. Lower helm was much easier but upper helm was a right pain due to access. Who needs skin covering their knuckles anyway.

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We then come to do you set the “throw” to standard, long or short? I read the manual multiple times and it made little sense so i judged it from the movements within the old control head. Set it to long throw.

A few days later some lovely weather arrived. We loaded up with my wife’s friends and went out for a late afternoon cruise. Even got papped from the shore by a stranger who put it on facebook! Not creepy at all.

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Saw some dolphins and having a lovely time until I planned to drop anchor and attempted to pop in the neutral. Hmmmmmmmmm…….lever port engine wont come back to neutral. Quick run downstairs and i have snapped the gearshift cable right at the gearbox end. So long throw was a mistake then!

We carried on with our afternoon with a few trips up and down to manually change gear then back in to a busy marina on one engine with the docksides literally filled with evening revellers. No pressure. Went alright to be fair so set to taking the controls out again and replacing the cable.

I was more annoyed with myself that I didnt make sure i understood the install process but live and learn. Cable was likely weak anyway, lets go with that. New controls look much better though in any regard
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Why not fit a Vimar blank Vimar 20042 Blank module 2M grey - Argo Boat Parts

Then something along the lines of Powerwerx Panel Mount 65W Combo USB-C PD & USB-A Fast Device Charger

Just an example, plenty of others out there.
thanks,

there are 9 VIMAR single U USB-A sockets in the boat they are part of a 6U plate together with a 1U 24VDC a 2U schuko and a 1U 2pin 10A. Want to keep panels clean, only holes are these VIMARs and I'm sticking to them. Hence looking for something I can fit behind the panels usually plenty of space and wire behind the 24VDC socket.
I guess I could get one of these and take them apart and wire to the Vimar, bit of a faff, rather low in my todo list atm!

V.
 
The controls on our Hardy weren’t great and having used electronic at work I bit the bullet and went with Vetus electronic controls with the mechanical interface box of tricks. The original manual multiplier wasn’t in great shape when I removed it and the flybridge MT3 was heavily corroded.

The retail cost of the units was almost a show stopper but I managed to get a reasonable deal via my engineer that worked when man maths was applied 😁

I haven’t regretted the decision so far (I might if something goes wrong with the system) and I would go so far as to say that it has notably enhanced my enjoyment of helming the boat.
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The controls on our Hardy weren’t great and having used electronic at work I bit the bullet and went with Vetus electronic controls with the mechanical interface box of tricks. The original manual multiplier wasn’t in great shape when I removed it and the flybridge MT3 was heavily corroded.

The retail cost of the units was almost a show stopper but I managed to get a reasonable deal via my engineer that worked when man maths was applied 😁

I haven’t regretted the decision so far (I might if something goes wrong with the system) and I would go so far as to say that it has notably enhanced my enjoyment of helming the boat.
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Drop me a pm with what you paid so ive got a ballpark. Its defo on my wish list for a number of reasons
 
Drop me a pm with what you paid so ive got a ballpark. Its defo on my wish list for a number of rea
The controls on our Hardy weren’t great and having used electronic at work I bit the bullet and went with Vetus electronic controls with the mechanical interface box of tricks. The original manual multiplier wasn’t in great shape when I removed it and the flybridge MT3 was heavily corroded.

The retail cost of the units was almost a show stopper but I managed to get a reasonable deal via my engineer that worked when man maths was applied 😁

I haven’t regretted the decision so far (I might if something goes wrong with the system) and I would go so far as to say that it has notably enhanced my enjoyment of helming the boat.
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I'd certainly go down that avenue at some point. My mechanical controls are a bit on the cumbersome side so this interests me too. :cool:
 
Lets talk nav kit. I really like Garmin but may hve gone a bit OTT. IMG_0046.jpegIMG_4367.jpeg

So, ive ended up with 3 x echomaps a GHC and GMI! The GHC and GMI will behind the helm wheel. All bought 2nd hand and all mint. New helm seats too. They look really good

A few final results photos

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Can you spot my error in the kitchen
 
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LED lighting is everywhere now. The 3mm strips in bedrooms are on dimmers. Love them.

I thought about a dinner table in the engine room but decided people would be happy eating food of the floor
 
So….whats next? Lets use AI

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The cream leather is in lovely condition but im not sure it really goes with my colour scheme now. Step foward AI

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Thats Dusty Grey. Whats the forums thoughts! I can do it with a leather dye spray and patience

Next update will be more current as we delve into the world of props and shafts once shes ashore. Sorry it was short but at least we can tune into @PaulRainbow now
 
hob controls should be on the other side?
edit to add that yes cupboard on top of the sink looks like it fouls on the tap... easy solution is to convert it to top mounted ones :-) only mechanism is something like 50quid per door and its way too bulky!

another definite yes on the grey sofa
however, you'll have to change the carpet afterwards as it will be the odd one out (but you probably know it already!)

looks v.v.good, well done!

V.
 
My new to me Cranchi has grey leather in the saloon, looks great , and is accented with Aquamarine gelcoat. Unusual, but I love it, as did Mr Lamborghini with his Riva Aquasomethingorother.
 
Thanks guys.carpet is on the agenda but it’s carried by the wood trim that’s left in a way. Great idea to change the hinges! Thanks @vas 😘
 
Next came battery wiring but thats boring. It involved 5 mahoosive newish batteries wired one for both engines, one to the 5kw generator, 1 to the eber and 2 for 12v domestic. Literally no idea why but obviously all redone so now 1 per engine and 3 as one bank for the rest. Latching 12v isolators triggered by the original isolators up at the helm but now nice new short cable runs for starting.

Lets talk interior now…
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I maintain that boats of this age are just another level build wise. The wood is amazing quality beautifully put together. Even the soft furnishings are in nice condition so what do you do? Why would i tear perfectly good materials out to probably do a worse job trying to put in new?

The quantity of dark wood clearly isnt ideal so my options are wrap or paint. I been down the painting route before and it looked good but after some time on the internet, i found architectural wrap. This is nothing like the dc fix stuff, its more like vinyl wallpaper. Thick, super sticky and tricky to work with but i thought lets give it a go!

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Let the wrapathon commence! Took a bit of time to learn the best way as it needs lots of heat…..heatgun heat but in the right way. It was a fine line between curving lovely round a corner and a puddle on the floor.

Is it perfect in every single spot without a single join…..no…..but the beauty is……you can pull it off anytime and try again!
I wrapped an electric guitar once, still sounded s**t afterwards. Wrong pattern probably.
 
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