Low buck projects- Let's see 'em!

[Valiente]

Andre, the only change I would make to that would be to put the wood panels on hinges for easy access (changing the monitor settings, for one) and installing a positive lock on the opposing sides.

I always enjoy seeing people open up panels and seeing amazingly tidy wiring, clearly labelled. I think I have sailor's OCD.

[Omatako]

Originally Posted by Valiente

Andre, the only change I would make to that would be to put the wood panels on hinges for easy access (changing the monitor settings, for one) and installing a positive lock on the opposing sides.

I always enjoy seeing people open up panels and seeing amazingly tidy wiring, clearly labelled. I think I have sailor's OCD.

Yeah I thought of that but all the buttons alongside the monitor (all original monitor controls) provide everything I need for the settings and there really is nothing else I need to be behind the panels for unless something stops working.

I like uncomplicated things and hinges and catches just seemed to be too much trouble both initially and longer-term. The fasteners holding the panels are machine screws going into recessed nuts so can be undone infinitely without wearing anything out and opening the panels takes about a minute.

And the wiring behind is really simple and uncomplicated (but still neat )

[therapy23]

Originally Posted by Omatako

This was posted before but seems relevant enough to this thread to repeat.

This was my nav station before:



I took:

• Phillips flat screen monitor discarded during a company computer upgrade $0
• A Radio Shack power supply gifted by another sailor $0
• Exisiting radar, radios and stereo $0
• Existing notebook and MaxSea software
• 12mm marine ply off-cuts from a local kitchen fitter's bin $0
• 2 12v plug fittings $13
• A sheet of American Cherry veneer $26
• A wireless keyboard and mouse $58
• Some fasteners, glue and varnish $?

and after many hours of work, I ended up with this:



Unfortunately, the rest of my projects could not possibly qualify for the "under $100" classification, they conform too closely to the "standing in a cold shower tearing up $100 notes" classification

Very nice.

[pdqaltair]

I got tired of a portable fuel tank being in the way and always too small, and of not having water for a shower in the summer. They hang from an integral flange with no mounting hardware other than a ring of bolts. Each holds ~ 12 gallons.

And the nice thing about multihulls - no risk of fumes in enclosed spaces.

15 years and counting. The gas tank resin is e-10 rated and the water tank resin is potable water rated.

Probably $50 each.

[painkiller]

OK, this is sort of cheating because I haven't done the projects yet, but I just discovered Quick Fists. They are rubber, mountable, adjustable grabbers. Off-roaders use them for attaching fire extinguishers, axes, flashlights, etc. to their jeeps.

I plan on ordering a whole mess of 'em and just going bonkers. My first task is my emergency tiller that is lying loose in my cavernous cockpit locker. I'm going to Quick Fist it to the bulkhead within grasp of the locker lid.

West Marine sells 'em, but they're cheaper on other sporting goods sites such as cabelas.com. Here's another site that has more pictures: QUICK FIST clamp in use

[Sapperwhite]

Originally Posted by painkiller

. My first task is my emergency tiller that is lying loose in my cavernous cockpit locker. I'm going to Quick Fist it to the bulkhead within grasp of the locker lid.

West Marine sells 'em, but they're cheaper on other sporting goods sites such as cabelas.com. Here's another site that has more pictures: QUICK FIST clamp in use

Why not mount it to the locker lid itself, that way you flip the lid up and the tiller is right there (provided it fits on the lid)

[therapy23]

Originally Posted by painkiller

OK, this is sort of cheating because I haven't done the projects yet, but I just discovered Quick Fists. They are rubber, mountable, adjustable grabbers. Off-roaders use them for attaching fire extinguishers, axes, flashlights, etc. to their jeeps.

I plan on ordering a whole mess of 'em and just going bonkers. My first task is my emergency tiller that is lying loose in my cavernous cockpit locker. I'm going to Quick Fist it to the bulkhead within grasp of the locker lid.

West Marine sells 'em, but they're cheaper on other sporting goods sites such as cabelas.com. Here's another site that has more pictures: QUICK FIST clamp in use

If they hold up on the bike I guess they will work on a boat.

[ckgreenman]

Originally Posted by therapy23

If they hold up on the bike I guess they will work on a boat.

Ok, I'm sold.

[painkiller]

Originally Posted by Sapperwhite

Why not mount it to the locker lid itself, that way you flip the lid up and the tiller is right there (provided it fits on the lid)

That's a good question, Sap. I don't think the tiller would fit on the underside of the lid, but I'm not sure. I'd also worry about the weight of the tiller. Lastly, I was thinking of mounting winch handles, air horn, and maybe my flares or something under there.

Thank you, though. That's something to ponder. I'll investigate it further on my next maintenance trip.

[motovationcycles]

Originally Posted by xort

How bright does it appear compared to the other anchor lights you were near?
Does it burn with full intensity all night?

It lasts about 5 hours full intensity. It is not quite as bright as an anchor light. We use it to supplement the anchor light and for cockpit lighting.