Clark Island Boat Works: April 2009

I have to keep building boats. These are the house batteries, jammed under the deck (aft starboard side) in a custom battery box. The lexan shield was added to prevent accidental contact with the battery terminals. Because of the distance between the batteries and the electrical panel the leads needed to be 4/0 battery cable. Running that size cable can be difficult because it is so large that it doesn't always want to bend the way you want it to. We were optimistic and tried to run 3 pieces of cable at once. Jeff wrestled the cable for 20 minutes by himself then I tried to help but the engine room isn't built for two full sized humans. I offered to take over the project and quickly wished that I had ignored it. Holding three pieces of 45lb wire over your head while trying to operate two cordless drills and

handle clips and screws sounds a lot easier than it is. The project was a complete success and no one was injured and no tools were smashed. Once the "house" battery cables were run, the positive lead for the "start" battery needed to be run. The "start" battery is actually two 8D batteries tied together to form a SUPER BATTERY. Another 4/0 cable run to the area where the battery switches will one day live and the heavy cable on this boat is completed. The 8kw generator needed to get some 12 volt power so we jumped power off the start battery, a smaller switch in the engine room (pictured) will give the end user the ability to kill the power to the genset if something unexpected happens.

We also installed the second air conditioning unit in the port side bench inside the wheelhouse. Sea water is pumped to both units with a heavy duty 110 volt pump, after the water runs through the units it is directed to a tee to combine the flow and sent overboard through a stainless steel thru hull (not pictured). Both units have a built in drip pan to collect condensation and this water will drain into the bilge and be pumped overboard using the primary bilge pump. John is working on a custom air handler for the upstairs unit to direct the cold air to the two vents, that haven't been installed yet.

A wall will have to be installed behind this air conditioner to separate it from the rest of the bench. Two wires and some duct work and the air conditioning will be completed. Today (Tuesday) I was able to build the bridge work for the steering cylinder in the lazzerette. Once it is sanded and gelled we will build a stainless steel plated to attach the cylinder to the boat. The helms should be arriving on Thursday or Friday and then we will finally have all the steering equipment (except the steering wheels).

SHOP NEWS SHOP NEWS

Clay phillycladed the new deck on the repair job in the back bay.
Dan Jr. packed the outside box, put on the propeller, installed the rudder, and reinstalled the steering on the repair job in the front building.
John made an aluminum hydraulic tank and built two more cages (one steel and one stainless)
Dan reinstalled a repaired hauler motor and assisted with the phillyclad.
Jeff and I slugged away on the 38 Northern Bay.

More possible jobs headed our way, one guy is looking at getting a new wheelhouse put on his boat and another guy wants us to raise the roof on his boat (built for a 5'11" human.....he happens to be 6'7"). The readership has been holding steady on the blog, you guys are suppose to be forwarding the web address to all your friends. Thanks in advance.