170 Montauk: Minor Problems inside the console

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Author Topic:   170 Montauk: Minor Problems inside the console

JD Montauk posted 08-31-2003 09:43 PM ET (US)
Hello everyone,
I've spent almost all day installing my new fish finder with sounder, temperature and speed sensors, extra cigarette lighter adaptor and stern cleats. While inside the console and just spending a lot of time in and around the boat, I noticed a few things that needed some attention. I wanted to see if anyone else noticed these things or some other discrepancies in their 170 Montauk.
1. Battery box cover was crooked and was not sitting flat. This was due to the cables holding the lid up on the starboard side of the battery box. I notched the battery box cover to let the cables clear and now the lid fits flat and is much more secure than before.
2. Steering cable is hitting the fishing package tray shelf. The tray shelf is red colored plastic. My steering cable hit enough to cause three screws on the stern end of my fishing package tray to pop out. I was unable to get the screws to hold by tightening. I'll probably need longer and possibly bigger screws since I think the threads in the holes have been pulled out.
3. My battery positive post was starting to corrode after just three trips in the water in the last month. I cleaned both posts and applied grease.
4. Both of the RPS hold down angle brackets was very loose at the deck. I had to turn the screws that go into the deck at least four turns and maybe more. I also noticed other screws loose on the RPS at the bottom sides where the screws go into the angle brackets.
FYI, BW was thoughtful enough to provide us with a string that runs from the console tunnel into the back hollow cavity on the starboard side step at the stern. With the string, you can readily pull new wires and cables from the stern to the console. However, make a note to remember to tie a string onto their string because once you pull the cables up to the console there will be no way to pull that handy dandy string back unless you tied a string of your own onto theirs or pull the cables back out :). Luckily, I didn't make the mistake of forgetting the string I mentioned but I thought I'd mention it to save someone from making the mistake I almost made.
BTW, my fish finder is a SeaFinder 320 by Eagle which is the exact same unit as Lowrance X88. I used a RAM swivel mount to allow for 360° viewing. Magellan Handheld GPS mount is next...and then I'll be looking for a VHF...
Later,
JD Montauk (David)
:D
samwhaler posted 09-02-2003 09:50 PM ET (US)
Dave, Thanks for sharing your findings, that's for sure will save me a lot of time and trouble when I make delivery of my 170. I never bought a new Whaler, but I wander is it always like this? I mean finding these small finishing defects on the newer Whalers? Thanks, Sam
Barney posted 09-05-2003 08:28 PM ET (US)
David, Finally got to look at my 170 after days of rain. My tackle storage has screws with nylock nuts so they can't back out. You're battery installation was screwed up just like mine. I forgot the grease though last time so thanks for reminding me on that. I bought a plastic suction cup cell phone/GPS holder to try as I'm all portable on the electronics including VHF. Something changed during fabrication on the Whaler line it looks like. Thanks Jim
Sam, You sold that nice 13 yet. Looks like Jarhead wants one. Jim
cmarques posted 09-05-2003 11:18 PM ET (US)
Hope you like the Eagle fishfinder. I purchased an Eagle 320df Seacharter which is the same as yours but includes GPS. I've been very happy with it so far. I also have mine mounted on a RAM mount which hangs from the top console rail on my Dauntless 160. If you have the same jumbo sized transducer like mine it leaves a pretty big rooster tail behind the boat. I have to try adjusting around one of these days to see if it will spray less.
AQUANUT posted 09-06-2003 10:53 AM ET (US)
OTHER THAN A FEW BLEMISHES IN NON SKID...MY 04 MONTAUK LOOKS GREAT....DIALED IN....IT WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE END OF JUNE..END OF 03 PRODUCTION YEAR....IT IS AWESOME...SO FAR I HAVE TAKEN THREE OVER THE BOW IN NORTH PACIFIC,,FILLED BOAT WITH 10 INCHES OF 45 DEGREE WATER..IT GAVE ME A GRREAAATTT SENSE OF SECURITY IN ROUGH SEA CONDITIONS.....STABLE EVEN WITH THE ADDED WATER WEIGHT...ALTHOUGH, WHEN I GOT INTO A 50 MPH WIND (COMING AT THE BOW).....I DID CHUNE WALK...WHEW! A LITLLE DICEY....THE 04 115HP 4 STROKE PERFORMS .....UNDER THESE CONDITIONS QUITE WELL....
jimh posted 09-07-2003 09:38 AM ET (US)
[Changed TOPIC: was (something else)--jimh]
jimh posted 09-07-2003 09:39 AM ET (US)
Regarding the battery box cover and interference with the cables entering it:
The old OEM Boston Whaler battery boxes were things of beauty. First of all, they were molded in Desert Tan. They came with a very high quality nylon strap with stainless steel fittings to retain the top. The design of the top was very smart, too. The top had molded in reliefs for the cables to enter, and these were provided on both sides. The spacing was different on one side from the other. If you had a battery with the standard terminals you used the top with one orientation, and if you had a battery with the binding post terminals (which are typically offset toward the center a bit) you put the cover on the other way. This gave you a good fit no matter which style of battery you used.
You might look at the battery box in the 170 MONTAUK to see if it offers that option.
InHerNet posted 09-08-2003 07:50 AM ET (US)
The string is long enough to be tied back to it self on my boat. I pulled wires both ways from the console and the access panel. I would recommend another person to help guide the wire so as not to put to much strain on the string or its tie. Also use some grease to help the wires slide buy the other wires and cables.
Don
trask posted 10-15-2003 12:44 PM ET (US)
Does Whaler read this bbs? If so, why don't they correct all these nagging problems before shipping a new boat? This is crap that they charge like no tomorrow for a supposedly superior product and then slipshod the quality control. Totally unacceptable. If I wanted Bayliner quality, I'd have bought a Bayliner.
13DAUNTLESS posted 10-15-2003 04:17 PM ET (US)
What Trask meant to say was if you want slipshod quality then you should buy a Regulator!
trask posted 10-15-2003 07:00 PM ET (US)
No, what I meant to say is, "why doesn't Whaler send them out the door finished?" If I want to correct rigging mistakes from the factory I'll buy a Bayliner.
Knot at Work posted 10-16-2003 08:45 AM ET (US)
You talk about Bayliner and Regulator So much,,, so go to their website..
jstachowiak posted 10-16-2003 09:41 AM ET (US)
For stripped out screws, use the same screws but insert one of those plastic hollow wall type anchors that expands when you screw the screw in. Us silicone caulk or 3M 5200 to lock the screws in.
Boeing T-9 spray works best on electrical connections like battery terminals. It drys to a wax like finish, and penetrates while liquid.
Swellmonster posted 10-16-2003 10:12 AM ET (US)
When I used the factory pull string, I pulled a fresh string with the next set of wires/cables and left it in there for future use.

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Author	Topic: 170 Montauk: Minor Problems inside the console
JD Montauk	posted 08-31-2003 09:43 PM ET (US) Hello everyone, I've spent almost all day installing my new fish finder with sounder, temperature and speed sensors, extra cigarette lighter adaptor and stern cleats. While inside the console and just spending a lot of time in and around the boat, I noticed a few things that needed some attention. I wanted to see if anyone else noticed these things or some other discrepancies in their 170 Montauk. 1. Battery box cover was crooked and was not sitting flat. This was due to the cables holding the lid up on the starboard side of the battery box. I notched the battery box cover to let the cables clear and now the lid fits flat and is much more secure than before. 2. Steering cable is hitting the fishing package tray shelf. The tray shelf is red colored plastic. My steering cable hit enough to cause three screws on the stern end of my fishing package tray to pop out. I was unable to get the screws to hold by tightening. I'll probably need longer and possibly bigger screws since I think the threads in the holes have been pulled out. 3. My battery positive post was starting to corrode after just three trips in the water in the last month. I cleaned both posts and applied grease. 4. Both of the RPS hold down angle brackets was very loose at the deck. I had to turn the screws that go into the deck at least four turns and maybe more. I also noticed other screws loose on the RPS at the bottom sides where the screws go into the angle brackets. FYI, BW was thoughtful enough to provide us with a string that runs from the console tunnel into the back hollow cavity on the starboard side step at the stern. With the string, you can readily pull new wires and cables from the stern to the console. However, make a note to remember to tie a string onto their string because once you pull the cables up to the console there will be no way to pull that handy dandy string back unless you tied a string of your own onto theirs or pull the cables back out :). Luckily, I didn't make the mistake of forgetting the string I mentioned but I thought I'd mention it to save someone from making the mistake I almost made. BTW, my fish finder is a SeaFinder 320 by Eagle which is the exact same unit as Lowrance X88. I used a RAM swivel mount to allow for 360° viewing. Magellan Handheld GPS mount is next...and then I'll be looking for a VHF... Later, JD Montauk (David) :D
samwhaler	posted 09-02-2003 09:50 PM ET (US) Dave, Thanks for sharing your findings, that's for sure will save me a lot of time and trouble when I make delivery of my 170. I never bought a new Whaler, but I wander is it always like this? I mean finding these small finishing defects on the newer Whalers? Thanks, Sam
Barney	posted 09-05-2003 08:28 PM ET (US) David, Finally got to look at my 170 after days of rain. My tackle storage has screws with nylock nuts so they can't back out. You're battery installation was screwed up just like mine. I forgot the grease though last time so thanks for reminding me on that. I bought a plastic suction cup cell phone/GPS holder to try as I'm all portable on the electronics including VHF. Something changed during fabrication on the Whaler line it looks like. Thanks Jim Sam, You sold that nice 13 yet. Looks like Jarhead wants one. Jim
cmarques	posted 09-05-2003 11:18 PM ET (US) Hope you like the Eagle fishfinder. I purchased an Eagle 320df Seacharter which is the same as yours but includes GPS. I've been very happy with it so far. I also have mine mounted on a RAM mount which hangs from the top console rail on my Dauntless 160. If you have the same jumbo sized transducer like mine it leaves a pretty big rooster tail behind the boat. I have to try adjusting around one of these days to see if it will spray less.
AQUANUT	posted 09-06-2003 10:53 AM ET (US) OTHER THAN A FEW BLEMISHES IN NON SKID...MY 04 MONTAUK LOOKS GREAT....DIALED IN....IT WAS MANUFACTURED AT THE END OF JUNE..END OF 03 PRODUCTION YEAR....IT IS AWESOME...SO FAR I HAVE TAKEN THREE OVER THE BOW IN NORTH PACIFIC,,FILLED BOAT WITH 10 INCHES OF 45 DEGREE WATER..IT GAVE ME A GRREAAATTT SENSE OF SECURITY IN ROUGH SEA CONDITIONS.....STABLE EVEN WITH THE ADDED WATER WEIGHT...ALTHOUGH, WHEN I GOT INTO A 50 MPH WIND (COMING AT THE BOW).....I DID CHUNE WALK...WHEW! A LITLLE DICEY....THE 04 115HP 4 STROKE PERFORMS .....UNDER THESE CONDITIONS QUITE WELL....
jimh	posted 09-07-2003 09:38 AM ET (US) [Changed TOPIC: was (something else)--jimh]
jimh	posted 09-07-2003 09:39 AM ET (US) Regarding the battery box cover and interference with the cables entering it: The old OEM Boston Whaler battery boxes were things of beauty. First of all, they were molded in Desert Tan. They came with a very high quality nylon strap with stainless steel fittings to retain the top. The design of the top was very smart, too. The top had molded in reliefs for the cables to enter, and these were provided on both sides. The spacing was different on one side from the other. If you had a battery with the standard terminals you used the top with one orientation, and if you had a battery with the binding post terminals (which are typically offset toward the center a bit) you put the cover on the other way. This gave you a good fit no matter which style of battery you used. You might look at the battery box in the 170 MONTAUK to see if it offers that option.
InHerNet	posted 09-08-2003 07:50 AM ET (US) The string is long enough to be tied back to it self on my boat. I pulled wires both ways from the console and the access panel. I would recommend another person to help guide the wire so as not to put to much strain on the string or its tie. Also use some grease to help the wires slide buy the other wires and cables. Don
trask	posted 10-15-2003 12:44 PM ET (US) Does Whaler read this bbs? If so, why don't they correct all these nagging problems before shipping a new boat? This is crap that they charge like no tomorrow for a supposedly superior product and then slipshod the quality control. Totally unacceptable. If I wanted Bayliner quality, I'd have bought a Bayliner.
13DAUNTLESS	posted 10-15-2003 04:17 PM ET (US) What Trask meant to say was if you want slipshod quality then you should buy a Regulator!
trask	posted 10-15-2003 07:00 PM ET (US) No, what I meant to say is, "why doesn't Whaler send them out the door finished?" If I want to correct rigging mistakes from the factory I'll buy a Bayliner.
Knot at Work	posted 10-16-2003 08:45 AM ET (US) You talk about Bayliner and Regulator So much,,, so go to their website..
jstachowiak	posted 10-16-2003 09:41 AM ET (US) For stripped out screws, use the same screws but insert one of those plastic hollow wall type anchors that expands when you screw the screw in. Us silicone caulk or 3M 5200 to lock the screws in. Boeing T-9 spray works best on electrical connections like battery terminals. It drys to a wax like finish, and penetrates while liquid.
Swellmonster	posted 10-16-2003 10:12 AM ET (US) When I used the factory pull string, I pulled a fresh string with the next set of wires/cables and left it in there for future use.