My Lowe ST195 DC rigging

As stated in other post(s), I got my first boat. Starting out with clean slate and thought I would document rigging it in hope of getting feedback and suggestions...

Here she is sitting in the driveway...

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First order of business taken care of...

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Installed GPS puck and Console FF...

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Front FF connected to US2 transducer in TM..

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Temporary SI transducer mount. Lasted till I got home then fell off! :Doh: Imaging looked good though.

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Working on more permanent SI transducer mount solution. Trying SternMate...

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Took an idea for boat cover from CDC to support cover I got from Academy. Trying to prevent rain water from collecting on cover. Will see how it works. Think cover fits pretty well.
Ordered some tarp clips and will use to tighten up a few spots.

Cover is 600 denier material. Hopefully it will last a few years. Using pool noodles on windshields to minimize sharp edges.

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That's enough for today... Going to install rod holders for spider rigging next...

Danny

Looking good so far. Nice looking boat. Does that mount for your transducer have it's own built built kick up?

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Originally Posted by cray

Does that mount for your transducer have it's own built built kick up?

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Yes, it pivots on top pin and ridges on side lock it in place...

nice looking boat

Completed rear transducer install. Hopefully won't fall off!

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Danny

Thanks wilbur!

Nice work and boat, I've used the "stern saver" on my tracker, and it's still there after two-three yrs, guess its gonna stay on now. LOL

very nice boat, mine is starting to shape up. Wilbur is very good at this setup and he has great information
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Looks really good and I like your xducer for SI mount. Don't for get to reverse your image. Looks like it is the reverse of normal install but maybe not.

LOOKS GOOD I have the same boat like your ideas. If you can post some pics. of you rod holders. I think your going to real happy with it.

I have the pics of rod holders and i'm making a stand for the Lowrance sidi Attachment 165791Attachment 165792Attachment 165793Attachment 165794
which will mount in the center between holders

Fishfried, i was looking at the pics on your post and i noticed the stern mate, what do you think about it and are you happy with it.

Nice job Richie. Now turn the holders around. The little v block goes in the front.

I put one more thing on the boat, i may be overweight and have to pull into the scale. I found out how to get 12volts off the 24volt trolling motor so i might just hookup to that elec system due to shorter run for the HDS
Thanks for all the help Wilbur !

You can try it. You might get interference on the Lowrance.

Not a fan of decals, so pulled most of them off... Going for basic black.

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Just need to add me a pirate flag! :biggrin

-danny

Ordered some Hi-Tek rod holders and installed. Really did not think this through. After mounting and reviewing pictures, realized I would not be able to lower (or raise) TM with left rod holder in place. :Doh: Going to have to re-think this. :scratchhead Believe rod holders are in prime position. Really don't want to drill another (third) set of holes for TM.

Going to do a little fishing with rod holders in current position and see if this is were I really want them. If so, will rotate TM a little. Really love the wide open deck on this boat and trying my best to keep it open and uncluttered.

Changed ram mount arm to longer arm to raise front FF a little.


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Anyway, going to leave things as they are a while before I do any more drilling. Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

-danny

Will it not twist by the rod holder and then twist back to stow, that's how I have to do mine. Pay attention to that puck quick connect too, I had trouble with mine working loose for some reason. Nice rig for sure!!

May seem to be a pain but I would leave them where they are. Just remove from base and lay in floor. Lunch troller then install. Less than 30 seconds.

Had to do a few boat repairs and update on new FF upgrade...

Broke driver seat sitting up on back. Seat had plastic back so rather than try to warranty (just break again) decided to try my luck at upholstery skills. Bought new staple gun and SS($$) staples. Made new back from plywood and sealed with polyurethane.

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Finished seat...

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This will be next upholstery project to replace non-slip surface with something a little more durable.

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Since boat is black, worried about being seen from side when on the road, so added red reflective pin stripping.

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Installed 788ci HD Combo 2d sonar with external GPS puck and ethernet'ed to 899 on console. That has been a big help for me finding and staying on top of brush piles.

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Think I will go fishing tomorrow...

-danny

Looks good an nice job on the seat.

This is sure a good looking boat and seems to offer up a few fun projects at times!

Nice boat. Enjoying the read.

Great looking boat

Good looking boat and a good read. I spotted some things that you would want to change, and as it progressed you did. You're using the right parts and I don't think you'll be doing this again anytime soon. My boat is an '88 and one of my seats broke in a similar fashion, and I did the same repair as my seats are no longer available and still original. Speaks for garage kept. I used some of the white commercial cutting board material and it came out great, can't which of the 3 was broke. The rod holders is a tough one to get right. If I have my 4 rod holders on I have to rotate it to deploy or stow the TM but love the Hi-teks. With the 2 rod holders I just have to be careful of the angle of the crossbar and stow is a snap. Your boat looks better without the stickers and wont show age nearly as fast. You do good work. My question is; what you gonna work on when it's done? Rigging and figuring is part of the fun.......Skeet.

Fishfried, if you look at the front of my boat the nightmare i have up there, i just keep rod holder loose on the top bolt on the left side until i get the trolling motor and the da'ducer in the water then i arrange the rod holder where i need to be, only takes a couple secs to get it set, your boat is really coming along:ThumbsUp

Thanks for the idea of putting pool noodle over windshield. :ThumbsUp

I have a similar style boat cover (vented for traveling with cover on) and the pool noodle works great to keep the windshield edge from wearing on the cover. I don't trailer my boat with cover on, but it sure helps having the noodle while the boat sits covered.

... cp :kewl

Also ... I have Hi-Tek rod holders on my boat, as well. The left front holder is in the way of the TM deployment/retraction. And like you, I didn't want to have to drill more holes or move the angle of the TM. I also didn't want to have to constantly be looking for a wrench/socket to change the angle of the T-bar or the individual holders ... so I took the advice of several other Hi-Tek owners and ordered some knobs from McMaster-Carr, to replace the bolts to the T-bar & holders. Now I can change the direction of the T-bar and/or each individual holder with a twist of the wrist. I still use a wrench/socket to secure the T-bar to the mounting plate, but make the other adjustments with the knobs.

Even if you didn't replace ALL the bolts on your Hi-Teks ... the bolt holding the T-bar to the upright could be replaced with one of these knobs, and then you could simply loosen the T-bar and turn it out of the way of your TM.

According to your picture of the left Hi-Tek mount & TM mount .... you "might" be able to push the T-bar to the far left of the floor mount bracket & gain a little "wiggle room". Then with turning the top bar around to where the U joints are pointing inside the boat, you could deploy/retract your TM without having to move the whole TM angle or the Hi-Tek. The replacement of the top center bolt with a knob would make that a little quicker.

If none of these suggestions are going to work, with the Hi-Teks & TM placements where they currently are .... rather than move the TM angle, you "could" order another floor mount (or use the left floor mount) and place it closer to the center of the floor, so that the TM can be deployed/retracted without changing the angle. Drilling in the carpeted floor, for replacing the location of the Hi-Tek mount, would be better (aesthetically) than drilling in the top of the bow.

Here's the link to the knobs : McMaster-Carr

I don't have a picture of my own Hi-Teks with these knobs, but here's one I "borrowed" from HandiCrappie. Should give you an idea of how these knobs fit/look :

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/attac...9831069236-jpg

And as you can see, Handi is trolling cranks ... so the knobs can & will tighten down and hold, even under the force of this type of trolling. Just be sure to use the lock washers (that come with the bolts in the Hi-Tek holders) with your knobs.

... cp :kewl

I have a 175 stinger. How is the ram mount on the side of the dash holding up ? Did you use anything under the dash to help support it ? I'm wanting to add a 999 to my rig but worried about dash cracking

Gobob, if you have concerns about strength and want to add some strength, scrounge up a piece of 1/4" aluminum or 1/2" plexiglas. Cut it to fit under where it will go and butter it up with some good silicone, both surfaces already clean. Predrilling will help also. I've done several over the past metal boats I've had and by making the backing larger than needed I've had no issues. The silicone stops any vibration and you'll never have to replace it if you change your mind.

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HMMMMM???? Wonder where the PVC idea came from. LOL. Nice boat and you are not the first one to put the rod holder in the way of the TM. My buddy did it this summer on a brand new 21 ft. Nautistar. He was not happy, but he is living with it instead of drilling more holes. :banghead

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Originally Posted by Gobob

I have a 175 stinger. How is the ram mount on the side of the dash holding up ? Did you use anything under the dash to help support it ? I'm wanting to add a 999 to my rig but worried about dash cracking

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just fine. have flat washers on back side. dash is actually about 1/4" thick.

danny.

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Originally Posted by SeaRay

HMMMMM???? Wonder where the PVC idea came from. LOL. Nice boat and you are not the first one to put the rod holder in the way of the TM. My buddy did it this summer on a brand new 21 ft. Nautistar. He was not happy, but he is living with it instead of drilling more holes. :banghead

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All my "best ideas" come from other CDC members. i have seen some really amazing work and ideas here.

danny

Very nice boat, congrats

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Originally Posted by fishfried

just fine. have flat washers on back side. dash is actually about 1/4" thick.

danny.

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Thanks Buddy

I have the same boat, non dual console, just got it. Did you do anything to the rod lockers. I'm thinking about installing some sort of a rod organizer in but not sure. Also how did the strenmate hold up?

fishfried, your boat looks great, i have everything mounted and was able to use it at my first CDC fall camp, i meant to take some pics and post the finished look but being north i winterized the boat and put her away but come spring i will have the pics posted. I'm here in Hot Springs now and planning on doing some crappie fishing rain or shine.

You and your family have a Merry Xmas !

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Originally Posted by Bittle

I have the same boat, non dual console, just got it. Did you do anything to the rod lockers. I'm thinking about installing some sort of a rod organizer in but not sure. Also how did the strenmate hold up?

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I have done nothing with rod lockers. My poles are all two piece and so have not looked into this. Looks like a lot of room up front to do something.

So far so good on the SternMate. No holes in transom and have been above to make adjustments with ease. Someone else stated they have had one for three years with no issues.

-danny

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Originally Posted by pesce

fishfried, your boat looks great, i have everything mounted and was able to use it at my first CDC fall camp, i meant to take some pics and post the finished look but being north i winterized the boat and put her away but come spring i will have the pics posted. I'm here in Hot Springs now and planning on doing some crappie fishing rain or shine.

You and your family have a Merry Xmas !

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Can't wait to see pics. I really enjoy working on my boat. Easton (my grandson) sure loves that black boat too, especially when I put his pirate flag on it.

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.

-danny

Did you just heat the stickers with a hair dryer to remove? And did you have any sticky left on the boat? If so what did you do/use to remove it?
Thanks