External Steering Upgrade
 

It's been a busy few weeks upgrading to external hydraulic steering system. I couldn't believe how much play was in the old system. Shocks were hiding the play. I can't wait to drive this. Now all the aluminum is coming off for the powder coaters.

Awesome!

Nice Andy!!!! Looks great!

Looks good.

For some reason looking at the business end of twins never gets old. Especially with external steering. Thanks of the comments. Hopefully very shortly I'll have back the throttle / shifter assemblies, helm plate, swim platform, vents, cleats and bolster frames from the powder coater. Then we'll be looking good.

Is that a center trim tab in the notch between your drives?

Keel plane. One of the owners of this boat installed this with the assumption it would reduce chine walk. My hunch is the steering system was the culprit. I will be removing this keel plane this summer to see what happens. The only positive I see to it is at slow speeds (just on plane) during very rough conditions it may help with balance. Especially with the added weight of twins in a 28ft boat that has a notched transom. Personally, IMO, he was probably was running way to much trim, with props that created bow lift, coupled with piss poor steering setup.

The guy that Spillman bought the boat from was a tinkerer/fabricator. He put that keel plane on it, there were "exhaust-deflectors" under the swim platform at one time. I think there was a can crusher and a can-chute to a receptical in the engine compartment too.

Can chute is still there. Goes from side storage to battery area. I've never used it though.

Looks great Andy! I sent some hardware to the powder coater, had rear interior re-upholstered, tune ups, drives serviced, and I'm good to go for the summer!

Let me know how you make out with props when your weather breaks.

Paul

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...pse15b2b25.jpg

Hi Paul, the upholstery looks great! I wish have someone around here i trusted for future work. I might be considering redesigning the rear hatch since everybody is compelled to sit on the headrest while idling on river rides. Though anything else would probably be lame.luckily I'm good for a while. Engines are next.

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Finally got the shifters / throttle assembly re-installed last night. That was a bigger job then expected. The funny thing is this all started out as a simple steering upgrade. The adapter / hole cover needed powder coating so..well I guess i'll do this too. It was too dark to take pictures of the finished product last night subsequently, that will have to wait till Sunday.