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Advice on new boat build

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Derek Fray

New member
I’m just finishing up construction of a 22’ center console (panga design) fishing boat made from high grade marine plywood and 6 layers of high strength fiberglass fabric that I built in my shop. I purchased a 2018 evinrude 115 etec and am preparing to mount the motor. I am looking for answers to several questions I will list below:

1. What auxiliary guages (brand and model) would you recommend i.e. fuel, temp, volts etc?
2. What cable actuated steering system is best?
3. What brand of below deck fuel cell is excellent?
4. Should I install one or two marine batteries and which type?
5. Once installed is there anything I need to be aware of prior to firing up the motor for the first time?
6. The dealer I bought the motor from wanted almost $1,000 just to check it out but I cannot justify that expense unless there is good reason
7. Has anyone here installed, prepped and run a new motor on their own?

sorry for the large information request, I’m a highly skilled wood worker and have been in and around boats my whole life but never been in this situation before.

Thank you you in advance.... Derek Fray
 
Derek Fray said:
I’m just finishing up construction of a 22’ center console (panga design) fishing boat made from high grade marine plywood and 6 layers of high strength fiberglass fabric that I built in my shop. I purchased a 2018 evinrude 115 etec and am preparing to mount the motor. I am looking for answers to several questions I will list below:

1. What auxiliary guages (brand and model) would you recommend i.e. fuel, temp, volts etc?
2. What cable actuated steering system is best?
3. What brand of below deck fuel cell is excellent?
4. Should I install one or two marine batteries and which type?
5. Once installed is there anything I need to be aware of prior to firing up the motor for the first time?
6. The dealer I bought the motor from wanted almost $1,000 just to check it out but I cannot justify that expense unless there is good reason
7. Has anyone here installed, prepped and run a new motor on their own?

sorry for the large information request, I’m a highly skilled wood worker and have been in and around boats my whole life but never been in this situation before.

Thank you you in advance.... Derek Fray
Click to expand...

PS. I’ll send some photos as soon as I figure out how to upload
 
Derek Fray said:
22’ center console (panga design) fishing boat made ...2018 evinrude 115 etec

1. What auxiliary guages (brand and model) would you recommend i.e. fuel, temp, volts etc?
2. What cable actuated steering system is best?
3. What brand of below deck fuel cell is excellent?
4. Should I install one or two marine batteries and which type?
5. Once installed is there anything I need to be aware of prior to firing up the motor for the first time?
6. The dealer I bought the motor from wanted almost $1,000 just to check it out but I cannot justify that expense unless there is good reason
7. Has anyone here installed, prepped and run a new motor on their own?
Click to expand...

Congrats on the boat build. That's a big undertaking.

Is your Etec compatible withe ICON gauges? Those seem pretty slick with everything contained in one digital package. Evinrude offers a full line of gauges you can use here: https://www.evinrude.com/en-US/rigging-and-parts/gauges.html I also like the look of Faria gauges.

For analog I would suggest at a minimum:
Tach
Water Pressure or Temp (which ever your engine is fitted for)
Trim
System Check (if compatible with your engine)
Volts are always good to watch.
Speedometer - I'm not sure I'd bother. If you have a nice GPS depth finder at the helm you can watch your speed there. Also, that keeps you from putting one more hole in the transom for the pitot tube or pickup wheel.

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Telefex makes nice no-feedback steering systems, but I prefer the SeaStar hydraulic steering. My bass boat has that and it's so nice and smooth.
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Moeller makes a really nice selection of in-hull poly fuel tanks.

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Are you going off-shore? Then I'd install 2 batteries for safety and use a battery switch so you can isolate them or combine them in a low amperage situation. if you have room a Group 31 marine starting battery will give you juice for all day using the electronics and engine starting.
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I can't really say on the first start up or if there is anything required from a dealer to ensure you maintain your 3 year warranty. You might look through the Evinrude operators guide to see if there's any info there: http://www.operatorsguides.brp.com/...nts/OwnersManuals_EJ/attach/AFA/216510_EN.pdf
 
@kevinj,

Thanks so much for your tips and response!

I am very aware of the Icon Gauges but was looking for a more cost efficient alternative but finding information on outboards, compatibility issues and what works with what is frustrating at best. I already have the standard gauges but wanted to upgrade. i will likely just purchase the Icon brand and be done with it and pick up some auxiliary gauges from Faria or other.

Thanks also for the tips on the batteries.

I was extremely frustrated with trying to find information on the type of hull coating to put on my raw fiberglass... Found tons of info on forums and paint sites about Ablative Anti-Fouling paints but nothing to speak of about a solid below the waterline non-anti-fouling paint. It took an act of congress to find the paint I was interested in and then get someone to tell me what bottom shield primer would be compatible.. As for general and detailed info on outboards it is difficult to get specific questions answered and when I contacted sales reps etc. I discovered I already knew more than the guys selling them.

Anyway, it is interesting to hear about your power steering... i was initially steering away from them (pun intended) because I was nervous about reliability.. After your comment I will take another look.

Thank you so much for the kind response!!

Derek
 
You’re welcome. I’m not sure about digital vs analog gauges for the Etec engines. I don’t know enough about the wiring to say one way or another.

The SeaStar isn’t really power steering. The helm acts as a pump and 2 hoses run back to the engine to drive hydraulic cylinders that turn the engine. They work great on higher horsepower bass boat engines and are very reliable. Cable steering is fine too and will be okay on a 115. I’ve just gotten spoiled with the hydraulic.
 
You will need to take it back to dealer when finished as fuel/oil system will need bled and oeticker clamps installed on lines. Will also need software to check that its set up for proper oil, oil tag sticker and run the pumps to bleed. Also wiring harness and oil/fuel line are routed certain ways for a reason. Might be best to buy a service manual or rigging manual...
 
faztbullet said:
You will need to take it back to dealer when finished as fuel/oil system will need bled and oeticker clamps installed on lines. Will also need software to check that its set up for proper oil, oil tag sticker and run the pumps to bleed. Also wiring harness and oil/fuel line are routed certain ways for a reason. Might be best to buy a service manual or rigging manual...
Click to expand...
'

Thanks for the information on startup. Perhaps he won’t charge me so much if I rig and install the whole show by myself... we’ll see
again thanks!
 
kevinj said:
You’re welcome. I’m not sure about digital vs analog gauges for the Etec engines. I don’t know enough about the wiring to say one way or another.

The SeaStar isn’t really power steering. The helm acts as a pump and 2 hoses run back to the engine to drive hydraulic cylinders that turn the engine. They work great on higher horsepower bass boat engines and are very reliable. Cable steering is fine too and will be okay on a 115. I’ve just gotten spoiled with the hydraulic.
Click to expand...
I bought the SeaStar hydraulic steering system should show up tomorrow. Thanks for the tip! More than I intended to pay but I’m not planning to build another boat any time soon :)
 
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