Thread: Updating and Upgrading My Skeeter F-80 Strada

Routing the Bow Battery Cables to the Aft Compartment, re-locating the Aft Battery forward under the Deck Overhang, adding a Negative Battery Common Post, and terminating the Dual Battery Charger so I didn't need to run charging leads to the Bow was done. After testing both batteries was allowed to fully charge before closing up. I'm running 4 batteries with this install, the dedicated Electronics battery is super isolated from any other battery cabling to prevent all induction of stray EMF. This E-Tec produces a insane amount of interference to the electronics if this was not done. I lived with it on my old Blazer but am correcting it here before I start using this boat.



The LiTime Mini battery I was given tucks nicely under the Aft Deck Overhang. It is tall & skinny. Once all the mechanical work is complete I will work on the cosmetics.

I launched the Skeeter after addressing the previous punch-list and all went very well after I dropped the Jackplate 1-1/2 inches. The prop slipped before lowering the engine and I couldn't trim the bow up at all. The 90hp engine turned the 20in Solas Hydro prop 5600 rpm for 45.1mph with a stiff headwind. The Voltmeter was not working & once the Livewell Timer turned on it would not turn off so that needs addressing. The boat loads like a dream, little effort is needed. Handling is also very good, much better with all the strakes Skeeter has in the hull design. The bow mounted Seat Base, the Offset Seat Pin, & the Folding Seat worked outstanding for Dockshooting as well as vertical Jigging. The Hand Trolling Motor with Reverse made staying stationary as well as facing the right direction in today's high winds much easier than a foot control TM like I have on the other boats. I think the very forward mounted/offset seat will be installed on other boats I own that do not use a foot control TM.

Awesome. It’s nice getting all the bugs worked out and setup the way you like it. How’d the new drain work?

Originally Posted by SuperDave336

Awesome. It’s nice getting all the bugs worked out and setup the way you like it. How’d the new drain work?

Well it couldn't keep up with the stream of water rushing in. Its a large drain but even though I installed a little smaller livewell pump than original there is no adjusting the flow rate. Original 1986 fittings. I will order a updated discharge design that has the built in flow rate adjuster. I guess I can add that to the timer order as it will be replaced with a different type.

Here is a couple of pictures of the new livewell drain tube. I works but I have to regulate the flow rate lower on the pump output. I overwhelms the drain.

Originally Posted by Rojo

Finally getting time to post terminating the trailer lights using the new Heat Shrink / Solder / Sealing Butt Splices.

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This is a first time for me using these terminals. I noticed the wiring in the light fixture is pure copper and the solder ran right into it beautifully but the cheap Optronics wiring harness that came with the lights must be impure or copper coated wire strands. The terminals made a good connection but not as good as with pure copper. They also have a sealing ring on each side besides the glue throughout.

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You simply slide the terminals up one side of the wires before stripping the insulation. Then you twist the wires together as tight as possible before sliding the terminal back over the splice centering the solder over the bare wires. Once in place heat shrink the terminal with a heat gun. The low temp solder will flux and flow over bare copper and seal out water from each opening at the same time.

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I added LED Side Marker Lights.

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I do not like to fix the ground for the lights behind the fixture and hope the ground connection remains intact for the life of the fixture. To be sure I never have issue with the fixture grounds I drill and tap the trailer frame and using Kopper-Shield to prevent the connection from ever corroding. 316 Stainless screws are used to attach the wire to the trailer frame. I fixed up the wires at the tongue also but don't have a picture, I will add one and edit this post to show it.

Where did you get these nifty butt splices?

Originally Posted by BuckeyeCrappie

Where did you get these nifty butt splices?

Not sure where Rojo got those, but similar ones can be found on Amazon, eBay, or other online retailers. I keep some in the toolbox for emergencies or other electrical projects.

Originally Posted by jjue1979

Not sure where Rojo got those, but similar ones can be found on Amazon, eBay, or other online retailers. I keep some in the toolbox for emergencies or other electrical projects.

Amazon, I will post a link as we don't know if others will work as well as these. I like the secondary seal system not just counting on the glue to seal the connection. No Crimpers to cut the insulation either.