It's spring and I'm bored

[sailor55330]

Not because I have a pile of cash laying around or because I have extra time to make it happen, but I'm bored, so I thought I'd post some ideas I was thinking of for "updating" my R3 since the price of new boats is still pretty stupid right now.

Here's my criteria and my list- Can't be stupid expensive and needs to be a DIY project (pretty handy overall)

My list in no order (BBP---Before you start, can't be stupid expensive means no 430 engine swap, or any engine swap for that matter)

Drain plug light
Cockpit enclosures (I know I said DIY----don't judge me!)
Finally mount my chartplotter vs RAM mount
Cockpit Table (not as easy to find online as I thought)
Transom Tilt switch (don't really use the trailer much anymore so not sure if I'd get much use out of that)

What are some other ideas.....things you've done or woudl like to do.

It's warm enough to be on the water right now here, but we may still dip into the low 30's a time or two and not ready to risk summerization for a quick ride!

[Titaniumboy]

Flag holder
Cockpit heater
Transom shower

[NautiWeasel]

Why not skip the drain plug light, and go full transom lights? It's surprisingly not that expensive, considering the change you get (assuming you are doing it yourself) and they look fantastic. I will be installing underwater light's on my transom this spring, and can't wait for the outcome.

[Titaniumboy]

Good idea. Which lights and how many?

[NautiWeasel]

I'm going with 2 Seablaze Quatro light pucks, by Lumitec. They will be controlled by a Shadow Caster 4 zone controller on my boat, but you don't have to have any controller (or one that fancy) if you don't want to.

[sailor55330]

Why not skip the drain plug light, and go full transom light's? It's surprisingly not that expensive, considering the change you get (assuming you are doing it yourself) and they look fantastic. I will be installing underwater light's on my transom this spring, and can't wait for the outcome.

I actually saw one that mounted in place of the drain plug assembly and sat against the hull....can't remember the name.... I've not really boated at night much and not sure if I'd use it that much, but worth a thought.

Like the idea of a flagpole, don't like the price or the thought of drilling a huge angled hole on the top of my gunwale.

The cockpit heater really holds no appeal as we don't boat when it gets that cold...not even sure why I mentioned enclosures.

Transom shower.....well, maybe

Keep playing!

[ajcampen]

I want to do a transom switch also. I asked cobalt recently if they pre wired the 2016 r7 with a harness ready to accept the switch and the answer was yes and it is the meek switch version for all. That is on my short list too

[bruceb58]

Personally, I would skip the drain plug light and just do transom lights....super easy.

I use my transom switch while we are out on the boat at times when anchoring close to shore.

I also did a cockpit table. I went with a fairly inexpensive plastic table. Does the job and is light weight. I did spend the money on the good hardware though to munt it.

[sailor55330]

Knowing that the boat is pre-wired for the lights, are you guys looking at surface mounted lights or the ones that require the larger cored out hole? I've honestly not paid much attention to transom lights as in MN all you did was light up weeds.

[Tuscany]

I did the drain plug. Wired it to the existing dash switch. I didn’t want to drill holes in my transom. I know..don’t judge me..
Decent, not incredible.
But, in the last four years, we’ve only been out at night once.

[sailor55330]

I did the drain plug. Wired it to the existing dash switch. I didn’t want to drill holes in my transom. I know..don’t judge me..
Decent, not incredible.
But, in the last four years, we’ve only been out at night once.

And there's my dilemma-

Maybe I'll just get a puppy....

How is Miss Elle T?

[bruceb58]

Drill a few holes...add some sealant...Easy!

PXL_20210113_190614430.jpg

PXL_20210113_185956652.jpg

PXL_20210113_185746159.jpg

[Krob1114]

I was looking at drain plug lights too. There's a thread here somewhere that shows how easy it is.
If I had Bruce's skills, I'd do what he says. But, my boat is on a lift 180 miles away and I didn't buy a trailer.
(The 360+ miles per weekend is also why I haven't looked at the Tesla yet.)

[sailor55330]

Drill a few holes...add some sealant...Easy!


PXL_20210113_190614430.jpg
PXL_20210113_185956652.jpg
PXL_20210113_185746159.jpg

Thank you Bruce--that confirms they are a surface mount with only a couple of holes....I thought it involved a bigger hole and were rececessed.

Any shots of them on underwater? Looks like the are over $600/pair now.

[bruceb58]

Drill a few holes...add some sealant...Easy!


PXL_20210113_190614430.jpg
PXL_20210113_185956652.jpg
PXL_20210113_185746159.jpg

Thank you Bruce--that confirms they are a surface mount with only a couple of holes....I thought it involved a bigger hole and were rececessed.

Any shots of them on underwater? Looks like the are over $600/pair now.

I don't think I have a picture. You are correct....they are over $600/pair. Mine are the Lumitec SeablazeX2 with blue and white choices depending how you flip the switch.

The best thing about lights like I have...they aren't sitting behind the drive like a drainplug light. No drive to block the light. I had one light to the side where my ladder was on my old boat. I knew that when we bought the Cobalt that two would be awesome...and they are.