Slow in here ~ Winter projects?
#27
Well I got two BIG boxes today from Dana Marine with a LOT of bling!
I'll post some pictures when I'm finished!
I wish winter would get here so I could work on the boat. This sumer time 65 degrees is forcing me to do other things!
I'll post some pictures when I'm finished!
I wish winter would get here so I could work on the boat. This sumer time 65 degrees is forcing me to do other things!
#29
VIP Member

Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 333
From: ankeny,ia.
Dock,
The boat came equipt with the first generation side vents
( ovals)
During my quest for improving airflow to the engine
compartment last spring , I looked at how much surface
area of the vent was actually open, and thought that there
was room for improvement.
I like the looks of the second generation ( triangles)
but figured Baja would charge an arm and a leg for those,
so, I decided to design my own.
I wanted something a little different, so the wheels
started turning.
I spent alot of time doodling on paper, cutting out
patterns, laying them on the boat to see how they look,
engineering to see if the design had enough support,
and if it would hold up in actual usage, and still deliver
the most open space for air to flow in.
Once I had a design decided on, I got some .060 aluminum,
cut out a couple of blank, patterned off the original side vents,
layed out the design on the blank, and cut it out, did a little sanding and finishing.
I then drilled the mounting holes.
I found some aluminum hexagonal shaped screen in the
Mc Master-Carr catalog, it is rated at 80% opening.
Cut out the screen, glued it to the frame.
Ran them late summer through the rest of the year,
to make shure the glue held.
As of now, I have to send them off for painting.
One of the prizes given away at Hawkeye's poker
run last year was a free painting of your side vents
or engine cover ( 496 plastic cover) from the guy
that painted Hawkeye's orange, and later, the green
35 O/L's.
Low and behold, I happened to win that prize

I'll post a picture later.



