2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

Thoughs of you guys who know me will have worked out i'm a bit of a born fiddler.
If left alone with tools for too long then I’m gonna get up to mischief!

So today’s job.
Bow rails, as you know the Diablo didn’t have any fitted at factory and this has bothered me a bit.
Not just for aesthetics but when handling the boat in the water. Apart from the bow cleat there’s not much up front to grab hold too.
Well try as I might, getting original bow rails for a 180 Mariah in the UK has been a nonstarter!
They don’t exist over here and getting some shipped over has been way too expensive!
So the answer is make some… now there not as good as the originals but hey I’m happy with them.
Fixing the nuts was a PITA too say the least.
The rear 2 of the 3, I was able to get at by removing the kick panel inside the cockpit and crawling up inside the front side seats,

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...803_125744.jpg

The front one I had no chance of getting to even with me being quite a small chap!
Only one thing for it….
Though’s of a nervous disposition should look away now!

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...w%20Mods/1.jpg

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...803_124442.jpg

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...803_125621.jpg

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...803_125645.jpg

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...803_125559.jpg

Repeat the same procedure on the other side and there you have it.

Now the next job…
This has always bothered me too.

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...721_150253.jpg

There must be loads of room for stuff under there not being used. And I’ve already got the hole saw out!
An hour later and we have this. Jim even put carpet in there for me.... thanks Jim :wink_thumbup:
A couple of hinges to stop the cushion flying about, I’ve had to fish it out of the sea twice now! :(
Just need to pick up some panel trim for the edging.

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...803_162117.jpg

So all back together now and I’m much happier about the front end

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...803_162151.jpg

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

"bout time you did some work on that boat.. ;)

Looks good! :wink_thumbup:

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

I know Mikey! it's been weeks since I've done anything :rolling_laugh:
Been to busy out enjoying myself in it

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

Nice additions to the ride Andy!:wink_thumbup:
One day , you'll run outta things to do to her.:yes_grin:
Then you're going to have to sweet talk the misses into another Mariah to play with.:D

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

I find it's much better not to ask and just dig myself out afterwards! ;)
she has learnt that the drive way can be a world of surprise sometimes!
she's never sure what's going to appear there next :rolling_laugh:

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

Wow that looks great. The grab rails look factory! So does the storage under seat. Awesome mods!

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

Reading this it occurred to me that now I have access too the inside of the bow I could fit docking light :yes_grin:

Where's that hole saw? :rolling_laugh:

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

Well done!!!!

Looks amazing!! Fulks would be proud!!

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

I doubt it...
He' say why you wasting all that time and effort on a Diablo, just buy a "Z" :rolling_laugh:


Had it all apart again yesterday and put some bigger washers on the back of the rail studs as I forgot to pick some up when I fitted them!

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

Excellent Job Andy - perhaps the new owner of my boat will be inspired by these pictures. He just picked it up a few minutes ago. Ironically when I was showing him the boat we were discussing how much wasted space might be lurking under the bow cushion. That looks like a great place to store the anchor etc. Now you just need to convert one of the compartments into a functional cooler. I never used the actual cooler on our boat - it seemed to small to do much good.

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

I now have both anchors/chain and warps under there. also an extra 60m of cheap rope for Justin in there. it's a nice size :wink_thumbup:

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

Stupid question - but how much anchor line do you usually need? On the river - we would usually anchor in area's around 16ft - 30ft.. but I've seen some much deeper sections (all of which were bad places to anchor unless you want ran over by a river barge lol).

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

If i'm out fishing then i'm looking for holes up to 30m/90' deep.
So for that i'll need about 6m/18' of chain and double the depth in warp/rope.

Here i'm in about 80' of water

You also have to remember in the solent we have a 4m/12' tide

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...727_140432.jpg

here i'm a little deeper....lol

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...707_111418.jpg

but here only about 3m/9'

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...707_115306.jpg

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

It takes some research into your common boating area to determine the proper amount of rope and chain rode. Depth is obviously the most important, but keep in mind currents, tides, etc. Then read up on "Scope" and use at least a 5:1 to keep yourself put. I'd recommend around 7:1 for the river given the current & traffic.

Boat US - Online Boating Safety Study Guide

Andy_b, when you say dual anchors, are you using one as a stern anchor as well? Or is it for another purpose? I've got a stern anchor to use while we're anchored, as mine likes to swing quite a bit if I don't use it. Have you ever been out when the tide came in? We don't have a tide on the Great Lakes, but I'm always curious to learn about boating in other areas!

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

The rules for anchors (over here anyway) is to have your length of boat in chain, then twice the depth in water+10% in rope.
It’s the chain that does most of the work because it transfers the pulling force on the anchor from vertical to horizontal, this also helps the anchor set.

I have 2 different anchors on board, Ones a Danforth and the others a Bruce.
We have different types of sea bed around these parts, ranging from rocky too mud and sand.
Also you have to remember that I boat on tidal waters so if I beach the boat it could end up being a bit embracing to come back and find the boat high and dry!

The way around this is to drop one anchor offshore (the danforth) then beach the boat and use the Bruce as a beach anchor.
Instead of fixing the rope to the end of the chain on the offshore anchor you attach it to the bow eye of your boat then through a shackle on the end of the chain.
Then take the end of the rope through the beach anchor and attach it back to the bow eye.
So in essence you have a loop of rope attached to the boat, passing through the 2 anchors….

Then when you beach the boat, everybody gets off, you set the beach anchor and you pull the rope to take the boat back out too deeper water again.
When you want to leave you pull the boat back to shore. Pick up the beach anchor pull yourself back out to deep water, start the engine, recover the offshore anchor and you’re on your way…….lol



It’s a lot easier than I’ve made it sound…..Honest :D



PS
remember to safety wire the pin on the Shackle of the offshore anchor! because it can unwind as you pull the rope through it!!!
Don't ask........

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

I just use a bungee anchor rope.
Basically the same as you describe Andy , but no beach anchor.
Course I don't have a 6000 lb boat either.

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

I almost bought one of the anchor buddy bungee lines for the river. I will probably get one when we buy another boat.

Andy - I would be one of those guys stuck on the sand when the tide let out... luckily the only level fluctuations on the river were caused by rain or the US Corp of Engineers playing with the locks lol

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

So how do you get the boat back?
or do you swim out for it :yes_grin:

Re: 2001 Diablo Bow mods
 

Have a line tied on bow eye as you do and just pull it in. :)
Works cool but I will say this , it only works well if you boat in areas where the bank slopes gradually.
Any more than 20' deep when you toss anchor and it won't 'hook up" very well.
I use it mainly when boating at lakes with rocky shorelines.