1989 Saltare - My god Spock, what have I done???

[sybrmike]

Nope, the engine mounts were built hollow - go figure? All the foam is finally out! Shaft is out with the coupling and prop removed (ya know, if I got a new prop now I could use my old 3 blade 14x14 as a spare...). Now let the fun begin in earnest.

I'm planning on updating the dash while I'm at it - if I can ever get the steering hub off to remove the vinyl dash panel. Any hints here? Already have a set of guages, but anyone know of a discount source for updated rocker switches with silkscreened labels and rubber booted circuit breakers? Thanks.

[sybrmike]

Finally found a set of metric bolts (the only metric I've found on the boat) to thread into the steering hub & a puller took it right off. So the dash is finally out.

Now I'm planning the new dash layout (still looking for modern rocker switch source). The old dash had idiot lights for oil, temp, fuel, & amps. Speedos & a couple other gauges were not working when I bought it & don't know if the warning module works. Is there a way to test it? Aren't these things tempermental & prone to false buzzing? Should I even bother with it or just trust myself (and others) to watch the vitals?

Thanks

[saltare inverts]

I have same issue. Dont know if warning lights work or not. I tell people to watch temp and oil pressure. Seems pretty simpl, of course I check them all the time and Im always driving unless Im landing a hootchie glide or a whirlybird.

[sybrmike]

Well, made some progress this weekend - outer stringers are in! Made the final decision to go foamless, thus the 3 limber holes in each stringer (glassed the holes before setting them in). 3/4" ply, scabbed in the middle, poly resin coated, filleted with resin/chop/strand, and tabbed in with a strip of woven roving on each side.

The original 1/2" ply stringers (what was left of them) had been bedded with bondo, but hadn't even been "squished" down so very little contact with the hull. She's already stronger than original. Inner stringers are next...

[wotan2525]

Finally found a set of metric bolts (the only metric I've found on the boat) to thread into the steering hub & a puller took it right off. So the dash is finally out.

Now I'm planning the new dash layout (still looking for modern rocker switch source). The old dash had idiot lights for oil, temp, fuel, & amps. Speedos & a couple other gauges were not working when I bought it & don't know if the warning module works. Is there a way to test it? Aren't these things tempermental & prone to false buzzing? Should I even bother with it or just trust myself (and others) to watch the vitals?

Thanks

You're a braver guy than I -- I had planned on rebuilding my dash. After a bit of fishing around with a multimeter I decided that unless I end of marrying an MIT Electrical Engineer -- that dash is staying exactly where it is. Holy balls did they make that thing needlessly complicated!!

[Okie Boarder]

syber...looking good. Good job glassing the holes first. I figured that out after putting in my first stringer and it helps a lot. It's interesting how the Saltare has the secondaries curve inward. They didn't do that on the Sunsports, but they were also shorter. They must have done that to extend them into the bow area a bit for more support.

[MATTH53]

I have also been thinking about doing the whole dash vinyl and guages. Do you have any pics of what you have done to the dash so far. I just need a little nudge and I think I will prolly do it.

[saltare inverts]

I recoverd my dash vinyl. Its not even close to as bad as you think. I would pull one gauge out at a time mark were wires go with tape and a felt pen. I can take my whole dash apart and put it back together in about one hour now.

[sybrmike]

No pics - dash still in pieces (finally wrestled the D@#$ steering hub off) - back on the stringers.

I think the vinyl is going to clean up nicely. It's in decent condition and one test pass with Exquisite on half of it made a world of difference! My 89 has the vinyl tight on the plastic insert, not padded like earlier years (not sure when they made the switch). Hope it's good enough - no way I can tackle recovering that piece myself.

I picked up a scrap piece of textured black 1/4" plastic sheet material to cut new inserts for the gauges. I've got a new set of gauges to go in (switching to paddlewheel speedo's), so definitely gonna test my electrical skills. Plan is for new speedos and tach (with lcd engine hour) back in original locations, then volt, fuel, temp, oil, (maybe add a depth) in the left panel, and all the switches on the right. Still undecided about messing with the idiot lights?

[sybrmike]

Now that the outer stringers are tabbed in - started on the inners. They're mostly out now. Found a total of about 5 ft of good wood. I mentioned earlier that my engine mounts were hollow, so I'm playing around with the idea of leaving the glass around the mounts in place and chiseling out what little wood is there. Maybe I can back-fill with solid wood and be assured that the mounts are all in the same location. We'll see how that idea pans out???

Schedule's not getting any better. MAYBE on the water mid-July for my birthday present?