Hello!

[Poly]

The coax connector on the aerial is the only vaguely tricky bit. Everything else just needs good fittings and decent wire.

[Stevie Bill]

Trying to upload a video - but it keeps crashing after about 12% done... Anyone have any advice for a noob at this game please? Or do I need to upload to youtube and put a link on here?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Stevie Bill

Trying to upload a video - but it keeps crashing after about 12% done... Anyone have any advice for a noob at this game please? Or do I need to upload to youtube and put a link on here?

It may just be too big?

My advice would be to put it on Youtube and past the link here. Google are better at handling those sort of file sizes and the codecs required to replay on multiple devices!

[Stevie Bill]

Cheers Poly, thanks. Will need to learn how to do the youtube thing now - every day's a school day :-( The file is only 156MB - the forum video loader seems to suggest a limit of 500MB - and the .mov format is supposed to be supported but.... Me and technology have never really got along very well! I'm happpier with a pencil and paper (or even a flint and slate)

[Stevie Bill]

Originally Posted by Poly

The coax connector on the aerial is the only vaguely tricky bit. Everything else just needs good fittings and decent wire.

Thanks again Poly... I'm reasonably sure I can make the joints - I have some glue filled shrink tube crimp butt connectors and terminals on order - but still a little worried about the switches and 'detachability'. The bench lockers are 'rounded' and switch panels flat.... Plus - any exposed wiring inside the bench will be vulnerable to stuff moving in the locker. The 'tupperware' solution looks best at the moment - maybe mounted inside the bench beside the battery box. Also - I need to be able to demount the radio and plotter - so need some form of plug/socket connector that will be reliable and waterproof for the radio power leads - still searching!
And today is lovely - I should be out fishing on my new toy!!!!

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Stevie Bill

Cheers Poly, thanks. Will need to learn how to do the youtube thing now - every day's a school day

the good news is youtube is easy, pretty intuitive, works well with uploading direct from your phone etc...

The file is only 156MB - the forum video loader seems to suggest a limit of 500MB - and the .mov format is supposed to be supported but....

its quite possible the issue is "our" end - its always been a bit flakey and even when it works it doesn't seem to play on some mobile devices!

Originally Posted by Stevie Bill

Thanks again Poly... I'm reasonably sure I can make the joints - I have some glue filled shrink tube crimp butt connectors and terminals on order - but still a little worried about the switches and 'detachability'. The bench lockers are 'rounded' and switch panels flat.... Plus - any exposed wiring inside the bench will be vulnerable to stuff moving in the locker. The 'tupperware' solution looks best at the moment - maybe mounted inside the bench beside the battery box.

aye, I can see the issue with the shape (not sure a marine sparky will solve that though). Switches at leg level are likely to get bumped so I'd go for inside the locker too I think. It also means you can do the wiring easily in comfort rather than hanging upside down in the boat!

Also - I need to be able to demount the radio and plotter - so need some form of plug/socket connector that will be reliable and waterproof for the radio power leads - still searching!

I think Bulgin Buccaneer connectors are popular with people on here for that sort of job.

And today is lovely - I should be out fishing on my new toy!!!!

Aye, that one seems to have sneaked up on me too - I need to replace some battery cables and never got round to ordering them!

[Stevie Bill]

Aaaargh!!! Made all my electrical connections.. Carefully, methodically. Switched on... Nothing.... Waggled all connectors, Nothing... Screamed. Booked a specialist marine electrician (with a three week delay / forward schedule)... Then face slap! - I hadn't checked the fuse holders. Voila. Nothing. three empty spade fuse sockets (1x15amp, 2x5amp)! Idiot... Fuses duly bought, fitted, switched on... All singing and dancing. Now for fuel and a launch. Yayyyy (oh, and must remember to cancel the electrician appointment!!!!) On my way at last.

[Stevie Bill]

Oh - and just an update on the radio/sounder fixings - the suckers seem to be working and will do for a while - but I have also bought some 'caravan rubber socket fixings' which appear similar to the well nuts recommended (thanks guys)... Once I have the equipment positions finalised I will probably be using them (with plenty Sika...)

[Stevie Bill]

Every day’s a school day, so here’s what I learnt today on my very first trip to/on/in the water with “Sh1t For Brains”.
Half-length wellies are NOT suitable attire for launch and retrieval no matter how benign the slip at launch… Loch Earn is cold water – especially when it all tries to get into your wellies at once!
Funyak 390 is easy to row if a little wayward in the wind. I will need a drogue to slow down for drift fishing.
Goes from standstill to planing with very little intermediate displacement progress… Will have problems trolling unless drift speed alone is enough (see above)
Chosen solo seating (akimbo the rear thwart) is good, with access all areas and no noticeable nose in the air on take-off. No idea what top speed is going to be – still only half open throttle running in!!!
The dead man’s switch works well but the supplied connector coil is way too short – I have some thin shockcord somewhere…
Trossachs squalls are every bit as sudden and fierce as Argyll squalls. Sh1t For Brains is as wet a boat as I had anticipated. It takes longer to reach the clothes locker (front storage box), find a waterproof, take off the lifejacket, put on the waterproof, put back on the lifejacket and reconnect the deadman’s switch… than it does for a Trossachs squall to pass through! Wear waterproofs, idiot!
Suction cups don’t have enough grip to hold gear securely on wet seats. Need to get them sikaflexed now I’m happy with the position.
A doddle to launch solo, but winch strop too short for comfortable retrieval in a crosswind – a rope extender duly made…
Lighting board extension bars too long for chassis and so don’t fully retract – meaning nose of boat rests against elastic holder uprights before engaging with breakback rollers. Need to do a job with a hacksaw to prevent damage to hull or lighting board holders.
Transducer height positioned well, and now secured with third screw but may be vulnerable to shingle landings. Will need to take care at every landing!
I’m gonna have oodles and oodles of fun on this boat!

[warder54]

Sounds like a fun day - at least you got out. Where did you launch? Is the old watersports centre slip gate open now?
How about a small electric motor for trolling, you might be able to rig a bow mount if transom space is limited.

[Stevie Bill]

The watersports centre is still closed sfaik, since 2014 :-( I launched at the fish farm (Drummond Estates) - its a decent slip, and its reasonably sheltered from most winds (today being the obvious exception!)

[warder54]

Thanks may have a run down there after my Etive trip next month. Thinking of a run up the Tay one day next week from Broughty

[Stevie Bill]

The launch here in Perth by the railway bridge looks awkward - otherwise I could have met you halfway... What day are you thinking of?

[warder54]

Won't really know til a day or 2 before. I have to get my other boat in for the outboards 1st service too! We did have a look at the slip by Perth sea cuts last year and a small boat could get in under the gate at top of the slip. It's just across from the Harbour transport cafe if that's any use for you.

[warder54]

Sea Scouts - bloody hate auto correct!!!!

[Stevie Bill]

First sea launch and still learning (or re-learning) important lessons....
1 The transducer WILL dig in to sand at launch if not first folded up... Nowt Gorilla glue cant fix, but still....
2 Its a small boat with very restricted space so need a rigorous approach to putting hooks and knives away. Ouch and bloody ouch - thankfully easily fixed with saltwater and elastoplast but this is a rookie lesson I thought I had learned years ago.
3 It may be the South of Scotland rather than the South of France but the solar lamp in the sky still deserves respect. SPF 30 added to essential shipboard box of bits. My skin should stop peeling in a few days!
4 The engine works wonderfully well when fed with fuel! Must remember to open the tank vent before setting off. Close inshore to a rocky beach is no place for a boat that is unpowered and almost planes sideways in even a gentle breeze.
5 Suckers and sikaflex work well if you don't tighten the brass backing nuts too much - this then pulls the stub screws from the sucker back socket - and the fishfinder tries to find the fish by diving overboard. Stub screws now sikaflexed into suckers... Thankful for strong cables.
6 The Funyak is remarkably capable at speed in seas where I might have expected it to get a bit bouncy. A very soft ride and great fun! Planning my next outing already.