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It all started with a broken trim switch...

MeCasa16

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It’s a 1978 spectra 24. My wife was pulling me on the foil, and while adjusting the trim tabs, the old switch broke off in her hand.
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That was the thread we started pulling on. Now it’s a whole new dash, switches, a vessel view and hydraulic lift for the engine hatch. We decided to re wire the whole boat and try our best to improve everything. We also had an issue where we could smell fuel when we filled it up. After ripping out the interior and getting to the tanks, I think we found our problem. There are pieces of rubber hose between the filler and the tank. They seem to have deteriorated.

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We loosened up those clamps before I took the Pic. I’m fabricating a new dash now and will cover everything up front with new vinyl. We had a new interior made this spring so everything will match once we are done.
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Hopefully this won’t take us too long to get finished.
 

MeCasa16

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labeling the old wires and taking them all off. I’m finishing the build on the new panel. We will then cut out all the holes for our hardware and switches. Then we cover it in vinyl after I put the last coat of marine paint on.
 

Shlbyntro

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MeCasa16

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I could not get the steering off the old panel because (the thing I’m pointing at) was set pretty solid. A quick trip to harbor freight fixed that. Popped right off and the steering is out. Now I can get the measurements to make the cuts on my new panel and get it reassembled.
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Next step is to replace the vinyl up front with new stuff that matches our new interior.
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Then I’ll also cover the new control panel in vinyl before I install the vessel view, steering, and fuel gauges. We also ordered a custom switch panel and a new trim tab controller.
 

MeCasa16

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I could not get the steering off the old panel because (the thing I’m pointing at) was set pretty solid. A quick trip to harbor freight fixed that. Popped right off and the steering is out. Now I can get the measurements to make the cuts on my new panel and get it reassembled. View attachment 941190 View attachment 941191
Next step is to replace the vinyl up front with new stuff that matches our new interior.
 

02HoWaRd26

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Nice, looks like fun. Love me some rebuild threads.
I see in both the boats pictured the wiring without a fuse box. I truly don’t get why no one used to fuse anything.
 

MeCasa16

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Nice, looks like fun. Love me some rebuild threads.
I see in both the boats pictured the wiring without a fuse box. I truly don’t get why no one used to fuse anything.
It had these in it. 1978 thinking I guess.
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and in some places the in-line fuses.

The new switch panel has breakers, but we will still have a fuse panel for the other stuff associated with the ignition. The electric is my better half’s department. That’s her part of the project, so I’m no expert.
 
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MeCasa16

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The boss has been hard at work getting it done. She finished up all the wiring and got it all working better than before. I couldn’t remember how to get the Morse shift/throttle hooked back up right, so that’s a perfect job for Shane at Havasu Marine Specialties. He is going to wrap up an annual service and service the V drive.
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Nanu/Nanu

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Nice Job! You and the wifey make a good team!
 

v6toy4x

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On top of the 255?
Kuddos to you and your significant other!!
 
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