A little project I started recently is to remove the pedestal (along with all the steering cables and associated wiring) so I can strip it and re-paint it.
Here's the victorious end to the "Battle of Helm's Deep" with the scruffy old pedestal removed:
(https://dbdesignbureau.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0238%20(1)%20C34%20binnacle%20removed.jpg)
I've also purchased a new pedestal guard kit from Edson (it arrived yesterday after an air-freight delivery from the USA to Melbourne) so that will dress up the cockpit significantly. I'm also restoring the throttle and gear controls to the pedestal, as a previous owner moved them to the lower port side of the rear cockpit, under the engine instruments.
And if you look closely you'll see that the engine instruments have been removed, they are being replaced by a new panel from Catalina Direct. Fun!
I also moved the engine shut-off cable away from the instrument panel to a position just nearby:
(https://dbdesignbureau.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0225%20(1)%20resize%20C34%20engine%20shut-off.jpg)
Nice work, great idea to move the stop cable. Can't wait to see the "after" photos. :D
This will be a nice project to have completed. It may not be as glamourous for the casual observer, but as the direct user, I suspect you will be VERY pleased to know the conditions of all those critical systems in the binacle. I redid the bushings for the throttle and shift cables in my binnacle and the improvement was VAST!! I have also considered the remote shut off relocation out of the inatrument panel. It is a bit clumsy all attached to thw instrument panel and having it a bit away would be great. Keep us updated!
Derek,
Something I wanted to mention. On a previous boat I changed the tiller steering to Edson wheel. I remember that Edson was very specific to use the aluminum mounting bolts that were in the kit. So consider reusing the old mounting bolts or buy from Edson. I know just enough about mixing dissimilar metals to be wary, so take this as just a heads up.
Jim
Quote from: Jim Hardesty on February 13, 2025, 06:05:54 AMconsider reusing the old mounting bolts or buy from Edson.
Noted Jim. In fact the old aluminium bolts are in OK condition, so I'll be reusing them. They are in contact with mild steel underneath (the mounting plate for the idler pulleys is mild steel on my '86 boat) so it's hard to avoid contact between dissimilar metals.
I did consider purchasing a new idler pulley assembly (the new design has an aluminium base plate), but the old one is in OK condition, so it will have surface rust removed and carefully repainted...
Check the bushings on your idler pulleys. They should be upgraded to stainless. There was an issue on older boats.
Craig
Derek : Check the pins for the pulleys to make sure they are not bronze - they should be stainless.
A thought
Derek
And, even when using the recommended bolts, use Tel-Gel or my favorite, SuperLube gel where the heads hit and on the threads. Or, I used butyl 20+ years ago to seal them (which also protected against corrosion.)
Did you mean to post a pic? The OP reads like it but none displays (for me.)
And THANK YOU for idea about the shutoff handle. I will relocate mine. I have a somewhat stiff shutoff (not a stiff cable) on my M-25 and long ago I had well-meaning, over-zealous, "help" actually rip the panel out of the (so-called) mounting holes. If 1 lb. of pull is good, well then 10 lbs. must be better.
The other option I'm considering is a shutoff solenoid from Kubota.
Ken
Quote from: Jim Hardesty on February 13, 2025, 06:05:54 AM,
Something I wanted to mention. On a previous boat I changed the tiller steering to Edson wheel. I remember that Edson was very specific to use the aluminum mounting bolts that were in the kit. So consider reusing the old mounting bolts or buy from Edson. I know just enough about mixing dissimilar metals to be wary, so take this as just a heads up.
Jim
What happened to your pictures? I thought I saw some pictures of your binnacle project when you first put this up. Is it my computer, my old mind or our program?
:donno:
Quote from: KWKloeber on February 18, 2025, 11:21:06 AMAnd THANK YOU for idea about the shutoff handle. I will relocate mine. I have a
Ken... Antoni (aka LogoFreak) is working on an electric solenoid shut off for his M35. He is presently designing a bracket to allow the solenoid to attach. I haven't talked to him recently about it, but perhaps he will chime in next time he is online.
Alex
Kubota already has a bracket and solenoid.
I got a quote many years ago from a Westerbeke engine dealer to supply a bracket and solenoid.
Quote from: waughoo on February 19, 2025, 10:47:10 PMQuote from: KWKloeber on February 18, 2025, 11:21:06 AMAnd THANK YOU for idea about the shutoff handle. I will relocate mine. I have a
Ken... Antoni (aka LogoFreak) is working on an electric solenoid shut off for his M35. He is presently designing a bracket to allow the solenoid to attach. I haven't talked to him recently about it, but perhaps he will chime in next time he is online.
Thanks for the info Ken.
What kind of paint are you using on the binnacle?
Quote from: Phil Spicer on February 19, 2025, 10:44:57 AMWhat happened to your pictures?
Phil, the photos should be back now. They were linked from the Facebook C34 group, but I guess the Facebook image URLs must be dynamic. I've linked them from my own website now, so they should not disappear again!
Ken, in fact, I have already purchased a shut-off solenoid, but being a mechanical engineer, it was quicker to move the handle... I'll have to think about all those electrons later! (plus a way to mount the solenoid).
Here's the binnacle in bare metal after stripping the remains of the paint:
(https://dbdesignbureau.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0304%20resize%20C34%20binnacle%20paint%20stripped.jpg)
Quote from: David Comando on March 10, 2025, 02:37:28 PMWhat kind of paint are you using on the binnacle?
On top of a couple of layers of International Etch Primer on the bare aluminium, I'm applying a locally produced linear polyurethane two-pack white (Norglass Northane).
Here's a look at the refurbished pulley block, with rust removed, and freshly painted with multiple coats of epoxy paint. It received several more coats following the photo. New stainless axles (bushings) have arrived from Edson, and will be installed before this goes back into the boat...
(https://dbdesignbureau.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0291%20resize%20C34%20rudder%20pulley%20block.jpg)
And to complete the story, here's a view of the same pulley block before it was removed and refinished...
(https://dbdesignbureau.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_6252%20resize%20C34%20rudder%20pulley%20block%20original.jpg)
Quote from: derekb on April 06, 2025, 05:12:13 AMKen, in fact, I have already purchased a shut-off solenoid, but being a mechanical engineer, it was quicker to move the handle... I'll have to think about all those electrons later! (plus a way to mount the solenoid).
Here's the binnacle in bare metal after stripping the remains of the paint:
Wow, nice work. Are you using Imron?
The OEM Kubota solenoid and bracket are designed as a direct fit-up to our engines. Eazy peazy install.
Ken
Guys : Guess I do NOT understand what is wrong with the engine cut off installed where it is ???
Also why go from a simple mechanical shutoff to an electronic shutoff which I believe will have a much higher probably of failure!!!
A few thoughts
Derek,you have taken on one big project. Your work looks great,keep it up. Keep us up to date as you progress. Looking forward to new pictures of all your new goodies.
Quote from: KWKloeber on April 11, 2025, 11:54:06 AMWow, nice work. Are you using Imron?
Ken, no the paint I'm using is a two-part linear polyurethane (Norglass "Northane", which is made here in Australia) - it's similar to Imron, but not the same.
Quote from: Ron Hill on April 14, 2025, 02:49:18 PMGuys : Guess I do NOT understand what is wrong with the engine cut off installed where it is ???
Hi Ron, I'll post more details on my instrument panel upgrade soon, but the hole on the lower edge of the instrument bezel where the shut-off cable was mounted had become elongated and the cable was out of alignment, which meant that the instrument panel clear cover would not fit in place (since it interfered with the operation of the cable), and it was difficult to use. So I had to do something to repair it... I just decided to move it away from the engine instrument panel entirely.
Some before and after photos will show the problem (coming soon).
Derek
An update on this project, the major cosmetic improvement was completed today with the installation of the refurbished binnacle and the new pedestal guard.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54475370380_2002ae8284_b.jpg)
The new pedestal guard came with replacements for the mounting feed (molded plastic on this Mk.I) and the top plate (stainless steel, compared to the original painted item). The base of the pedestal has been sealed with Bed-It butyl tape. The pulleys have not been installed underneath yet.
Together with the refinished pedestal, this all looks great and makes a fantastic cosmetic improvement compared to the previous peeling paint. Excuse the dusty cockpit seats and dirty sole!
Don't look too closely, the compass is offset by 90 degrees. Next I have to replace the steering gear and relocate the throttle and gear control cables.
Are you relocating the throttle and shifter controls onto the pedestal—which is how MKI boats came from factory?
Quote from: Ron Hill on April 14, 2025, 02:49:18 PMGuys : Guess I do NOT understand what is wrong with the engine cut off installed where it is ???
Also why go from a simple mechanical shutoff to an electronic shutoff which I believe will have a much higher probably of failure!!!
A few thoughts
Ron,
Likewise, what's wrong with pushing a preheat button for 15-30 seconds (as it was designed and is done by Kubota) instead of for 5-10 seconds, and doubling the complexity of the preheat system, and over-voltaging the 10-volt glow plugs?
Another thought.
Quote from: Noah on April 25, 2025, 09:07:20 AMAre you relocating the throttle and shifter controls onto the pedestal—which is how MKI boats came from factory?
Hi Noah, yes, that's the plan, return the boat to its factory set-up. You can see the throttle and shifter just below the engine instruments on the port side of the cockpit. This was modified by a previous owner and it's not a good location for those controls.
Excellent! Are you adding a chart plotter or nav instruments to your angle guard? If so it might be somewhat "tricky" with no forward bend/angle in the angle guard.
Quote from: Noah on April 25, 2025, 04:47:46 PMExcellent! Are you adding a chart plotter or nav instruments to your angle guard? If so it might be somewhat "tricky" with no forward bend/angle in the angle guard.
Hi Noah, yes, I'll be re-installing my B&G Vulcan 7" the same as previously shown on this post:
https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,11315.msg90641.html#msg90641
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51900345153_3e0187a323_b.jpg)
The only addition I'll make to this layout is to extend the mounting plate (the white HDPE part) slightly either side of the pedestal guard - on one side I'll mount a charging bracket to hold my radio handset (B&G H60) and on the other side I'll mount a bracket to hold my mobile phone.
I'll also be adding brackets to mount the existing cockpit table (Edson 860-100-125 Universal Clamp-On Table Mounting) once again.
Excellent set up!! If you haven't already, Edson sells a new busing kit for the throttle and shift levers. Mine were cracked and worn such that everything was really wobbly. The simply press out and back in again. It really improved the feel.
derekb— Can you still view your magnetic compass with Vulcan in place? Also, have your checked for magnetic deviation due to proximity of Vulcan plotter and bracket?
Quote from: Noah on April 26, 2025, 10:54:25 AMderekb— Can you still view your magnetic compass with Vulcan in place? Also, have your checked for magnetic deviation due to proximity of Vulcan plotter and bracket?
Noah, the Vulcan doesn't interfere with viewing the compass, as you can see in this sailing photo (with the old pedestal guard):
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51900252976_ced9512d1b_b.jpg)
I might mount the Vulcan slightly higher with this new pedestal guard, as it appears to be taller than the old one I removed.
I couldn't detect any deviation on the magnetic compass with the Vulcan in place compared to when it's removed (I store it inside the cabin), or with it powered up. The Vulcan bracket is plastic and the unit itself contains very little metal.