Excel 435 HD fit out from scratch

[jeffstevens763@g]

i found these when looking to keep the seat in one place £5.99 for 6 from amazon delivered.
these are the dogs bollxxxx made of strong stuff with a acme thread to clamp the jaws which have the teeth facing back to grip, great to hang stuff off if you have an edge to clamp too ive got mine to put on my cover to pull the sides down a bit but lots of uses great to fit to the hogging rail to tie off to keeping kit tied down.

[jeffstevens763@g]

on my last two boats ive used closed cell interlocking tiles to cover the floor it protects it, its warm to the feet & better on the knees than the bare aluminium in the past ive glued it down but this time i'm not going to bother. i might super glue the joints to make it one sheet just testing a piece to see if it sticks ok.
i bought one pck [6 tiles from halfords £10 and just enough to cover from the stern up to the bow kit & anchor box.

for info these tiles weigh next to nowt and well worth having for the deck especially for air floors when those sharp bits of grit get into boot treds wearing away at the floor.

[Highland Haggis]

Hi Jeff did the glue stick ??? If so what did you use have you got your engine sorted out hope to see you on the water soon ali

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Highland Haggis

Hi Jeff did the glue stick ??? If so what did you use have you got your engine sorted out hope to see you on the water soon ali

Hi Ali

Super glue not good enough so I've used ever build clear sealer/glue only at the bow a single bead the stern and sides are tight up so won't move the joints are made in such a way that they won't part only if lifted so job done. Engine now sorted it was water in the fuel. Yep getting ready for next season

[Mattallica]

Thank you for taking the time to put this together. My Vanguard 395 is being delivered on Friday it is going to be my first SIB so this will be extremely helpful.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Christmas over a few changes photos to follow when I get my PC back.
So I've fitted a shroud/canopy over the chartplotter on the dash that'll keep the spray off the screen and also make it better for the cover over sharp bits.
The anchor storage box I've taken the anchors out and fitted two small boxes outside, the reason is I leave my anchor rope out in the rain during winter to wash some salt out, salt grinds away at the rope so a good wash helps the rope.
when the ropes wet it was causing condensation inside the box even when I thought it was dry. My intention was to have dry storage in the box so out the rope comes, it's no a big one as I have plenty of room in front.
Additions to the box are fire extinguisher, spare prop, stirup pump and itwit pump which runs off the accessory socket on the console.
The boats been flattish since I brought it home so I decided to blow her up to pressure, all was ok but I noticed the keel valve had moved having a look the pressure had gone down so pumped up the working pressure 0.4 bar in 12 hours it had gone down, so pumped up again sprayed washing up liquid dilute over the valve internal and external a real bad leak from the side of the valve. Consulting with PD who had a similar problem I tightened the valve up with the provided spanner I didn't hold the nut on the inside because that meant a strip down, last thing I wanted anyway it tightened up ok 3/4 of a turn to seal it so I went round the other 4 all were loose but tightened up easy. I guess installed in a warm factory and getting cold has allowed for movement just something to look out for if you buy new.
The hinges on the console floor mount had too much play in them for my liking so to compensate I lifted the base up and slid a piece of the interlocking tiles under it which I had compressed overnight between two pieces of wood, that has expanded now so it taken the slack out and will cushion the shake on the console underway.
The last job I've completed is the bow line and bridal for pulling the boat on the trailer with the winch when needed. There's three eyes fitted to the bow so I've spliced a rope to the the port and starboard ones and pulled the rope through the main bow eye with a shackle holding it in place, so when the shackle is pulled the weight is distributed between all three eyes I did this on the Mercury 365 with no issues although some thought I was asking too much but these eyes are very strong so it works for me.,
I've to fit a bench seat storage bag when it comes ordered well before Christmas got to chase that today.
Well that's it for now I'll put pics up soon as and do a final walk round video to,finish until I get it wet and test it

[jeffstevens763@g]

A few pics

console shroud, dry box contents now the anchors and rope are external.
new anchor boxes.

[jeffstevens763@g]

pic of the leaking keel valve before tightening up.
pic of the mod to the fuel tank air screw it has a slot for the air to travel down which i thought might allow water to ingress so i cut a piece of fuel line drilled a hole in the side so the air goes in from the side.

[jeffstevens763@g]

pics of seat storage bag going to be used for my gath helmet, gloves and flask on the whole the bag is well made but the close cell foam is too stiff i padded out with a bit of floor tile but still not good so ive packed in 2 inches of hard furniture foam which has made it quite comfy

[jeffstevens763@g]

on my last boat i made a bespoke boarding ladder in a bag which was quite neat easily deployed and did the job, on this boat i have more transom room so a quick google of boat ladders came up with this one from marine scene for £68 delivered. ive had to play with it so i can get the bottom step where i want it, it folds up so its clear of the engine and by nipping up the bolts i can leave it stuck out a bit without fear of it dropping down good quality for the money and less than 200mm wide max.

[jeffstevens763@g]

walk round of the boat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3R441e43AQ

[jeffstevens763@g]

cover fitted bought from excel not bad for the money £100 although it has left some silver marks on the boat from the inner coating it comes off so not a problem.
to keep the sides from lifting ive used the tarpaulin fasteners with bungee and lobster pot hooks.

thats it for now i'll update when i give her a test run hope this helps anyone who fancies a few mods on their set up.

cheers jeff

[Highland Haggis]

Have you had it in the water yet Jeff if so how fast was she???

[Fenlander]

Jeff that's getting to look a serious bit of kit in the video.

Thanks for uploading the build. I know there aren't many comments but over 2000 views so folks are appreciating it.

[jambo]

Well Jeff. You’ve had a busy time over the winter. Looking really good!! You’ll be up here permanently over the better weather months. What ever you do with her I wish you many safe enjoyable days. Take care. B

[jeffstevens763@g]

thanks for the kind words lads to be honest i love the builds as much as the trips because the trips give me ideas to make them more pleasurable in terms of ease on the old bones.
the mercury was a great boat but just lacked that little extra room especially when i have a crew member on the wild camps.
HH i haven't had it wet yet but i suspect with the 10 x 101/4 prop i'll get 19-20 knots at WOT although a cruise at 15 knots will do the ride will be much better with the 500mm tubes and extra length.
i enjoyed documenting the build and when i look at the mercury thread there's a lot of interest so i hope it helps.
so here's to the new season hope you have a good one take care & be safe.

[Highland Haggis]

Yeah she looking good can't wait to see it

[jeffstevens763@g]

ive not liked the life lines on the boat from day one they have too much coil memory and won't lay flat also im not a fan of the self splice rope anyway decided to change it out, had a measured up and bought 15m of descent rope £1/m polyester 3 strand it lays nice and flat i've crossed it and put the rope through the bottom lay i was going to put egg connectors which they use for kids scramble nets but multi color packs are the right money and single color are very hard to find in 12 mm and expensive so i thought i'd give it a miss and see how it goes. if they move too much i'll whip the joint to keep it in place.

first pic old second new rope

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

ive not liked the life lines on the boat from day one they have too much coil memory and won't lay flat also im not a fan of the self splice rope anyway decided to change it out, had a measured up and bought 15m of descent rope £1/m polyester 3 strand it lays nice and flat i've crossed it and put the rope through the bottom lay i was going to put egg connectors which they use for kids scramble nets but multi color packs are the right money and single color are very hard to find in 12 mm and expensive so i thought i'd give it a miss and see how it goes. if they move too much i'll whip the joint to keep it in place.

I like that Jeff. It’s one of the things I want to change on mine for the same reasons. Have you got a close up of the splices?

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I like that Jeff. It’s one of the things I want to change on mine for the same reasons. Have you got a close up of the splices?

i can get you one Dave the 3 strand always lays with two strands pointing up so the third is hidden facing the tube i just opened that up and pushed the rope through