Roof project?

[jcollins]

Almar,
How goes the project. Any progress over the weekend?

[AlMar]

Having no working crew available, I continued to pull control cables/wires, back through the roof and tube to the bridge area myself. I removed all the electronics from the bridge to give me access (space) to work. Only have the hydraulic lines and a few wires left in the tube. I shot a bit of WD40 into the tube the day before, and removed some of the smaller wires first to make room, and it went smoother than I expected. I have about a 10 ga. 120v wire going to a floodlight on the back of the tower that shines down on the deck. It's a really thick wire that goes into the frame. Not really wanting to try and pull that out, I cut it in the tower box, and plan on putting a GFIC outlet box up there as a connector box. I really can't imagine having any use for a 120 v outlet in the tuna tower (small t.v. ), but at the time, it seemed a lot easier than trying to get it out. Rather then drain the hydraulic fluid, I plan on removing the lines, and plugging them; then pull them down through the tube and leave on the bridge till the top is replaced. The bridge looks like a bomb went off up there
AlMar

[AlMar]

Oye! My neck hurts, my back hurts, and my head hurts from thinking. Forgetting that the hydraulic fluid is under pressure, I removed the lines from the upper control deck, and felt like a Doc in O.R. with an artery cut. After stemming the hemorage, and cleaning up, we pulled the hydaulic lines, power lines, and control cables with relative ease. To clean the aluminum frame, we rinsed, applied Aluminum Navel Jelly, let it set, and removed with water while scrubbing with a copper wool pad. That left the frame looking pretty good, but it had a residual haze which came off easily with a stainless steel cleaner that came in a spray can. Seems to work as good as never-dull, without the work, but we'll see how well it lasts. Since the boat was just sitting there, and the top wasn't on yet, I decided to compound and wax. The boat is MUCH bigger on the outside, than it is on the inside I'll have pics next week of polished hull, framework, and whatever.
AlMar

[Mariner]

I'm laughing pretty hard at the image of you attempting to stem the flow of hydraulic fluid as it sprays all over your nice shiny clean boat!

[AlMar]

I wish I had a picture of the surprise on my own face. I mean I'm up in the tuna tower, and I'm wondering (for a short while) why, fluid is able to run UPHILL Ya know, I change my oil way often, I change my transmission fluid pretty regularly, but I never gave any thought to changing the steering fluid. Looked like old coffee. I doubt if it's ever been changed. Is there a preferred brand/type?
AlMar

[AlMar]

Roofs on, and I extended the exhaust. Haven't run my controls back to the tower, so there's no sea trial yet. sent in the pics.
AlMar

[jcollins]

Roofs on, and I extended the exhaust. Haven't run my controls back to the tower, so there's no sea trial yet. sent in the pics.
AlMar

Pics posted. Check out the pictures forum!