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Author Topic:   Montauk 170 do it yourself installs

surfkast posted 11-13-2005 08:31 PM ET (US)
Hi eveyrone, I've had my 2006 Montauk 170 for a few months now and am having a blast fishing, hooping, and cruising off of San Diego. I really enjoy the boat. Now, it's time to add the fun accessories and I have a few questions for you that have done it yourselves or are more electrically knowledgeable. I am installing the following:
Kodiak 14 bait tank - 360 gph rule
Garmin 198C GPS/FF combo
Icom 302 with Shakespeare 5225 8' antenna.
I opened up the switch panel to take a look and it's a little different than the wiring diagram. The "ACC" circuit breaker is rated at 10 amps (5 on the diagram) and the "Stereo" circuit breaker is rated at 15 amps ( 5 on the diagram) and is already pre-wired with red/black and speaker wire. Also, the black return does not go from the 12v lighter back to the negative bus as the diagram says, it looks like it goes back from the running lights switch.
Here's what I was thinking, but let me know if you think I am totallly off track.
Install the bait tank off of the "ACC" switch with positive to the switch and the black going back to the negative bus. (I'd have to piggy back as all the screws are taken)
Install the GPS/FF to the prewired red/black pair hanging off the "ACC" switch.
Install VHF- Now should the VHF go straight to the battery as it has its own fuse, or would it be bad to put it on the "Stereo" switch as well so I can turn everything off at once? I think the 15 amps can handle the GPS and VHF, but what about electrical interference?
Thanks in advance for any input, I would definitely take my time and use good Ancor connectors and heat shrink.
PS-here's a tip if you are shopping electronics, take a printout from the internet to West Marine and they will price match--I saved a bunch on the Garmin.

bigjohn1 posted 11-13-2005 10:47 PM ET (US)
Can't help you with the bait tank but I installed a vhf and a chartplotter last year on my '05 MONTAUK. I ran both straight to the battery for simplicity. I added an inline fuse to the chartplotter and the vhf already had one. No problems at all. I opted to solder all my electrical connections vice simply crimping them to ensure no problems.
Where are you planning on mounting your 8' antenna?
bigjohn1 posted 11-13-2005 10:47 PM ET (US)
Can't help you with the bait tank but I installed a vhf and a chartplotter last year on my '05 MONTAUK. I ran both straight to the battery for simplicity. I added an inline fuse to the chartplotter and the vhf already had one. No problems at all. I opted to solder all my electrical connections vice simply crimping them to ensure no problems.
Where are you planning on mounting your 8' antenna?
surfkast posted 11-14-2005 08:00 PM ET (US)
bigjohn, thanks for the reply. I wired the bait tank to the switch and pulled the wires through the rigging tunnel. No problem there, the string that's in there already is long enough to tie to itself, giving you a nice loop. I used ancor crimp connectors and heat shrink. I'm planning on putting the antenna on the upper starboard console to be out of the way while fishing. I think I'll put the VHF straight to the battery as well.
stompy27 posted 11-14-2005 09:47 PM ET (US)
Hey,
If you wire your VHF and 198C to the same acc switch you may find that while transmitting on 25W(Hi Power) the 198C will disable the sounder and switch to GPS mode only. I had this problem with a Garmin 188. I Wired the VHF directly to the battery and the 188 to the ACC switch. I do not have the Stero switch as my 170 is a 2002 and that was not available at the time. Hope that helps. Where are you going to mount the antenna for the VHF and did you get the internal antenna on the 198?
Fred
surfkast posted 11-14-2005 11:48 PM ET (US)
Fred, thanks for the info. The 198c came with an external antenna only. I am planning to put it on the center grabrail. I've seen them on the console, but I need what little space is there. Antenna on starboard console. Not sure if I need a spacer with starboard or something to stick out a little, will have to see. Yes, VHF straight to battery seems to be the consensus.
jimh posted 11-14-2005 11:53 PM ET (US)
If you wire the radio directly to the battery, just remember to always turn it off. If you don't you could have a dead or low battery next trip.
bigjohn1 posted 11-15-2005 07:20 AM ET (US)
So true...matter of fact, I have a personal, unwritten rule in my boat which dictates that once we arrive at the dock and are tying up, all talking ceases. I love to yack out on the water but this helps me concentrate and remember to turn off both the vhf and gps (along with raising the engine).
bigjohn1 posted 11-15-2005 07:25 AM ET (US)
Surfcast: one more thing, do you now have or do you plan to add a bimini to your boat? Will you be using it to fish quite a bit or just joy ride? The reason I ask is that I use my 170 mainly for fishing but always use the bimini. Like you, I opted for the 8' 5225 antenna but I found the only place I could mount a long antenna (and have it out of the way) was way up forward on the starboard side grab rail. Food for thought if you plan to fish and/or use a bimini.
Whaler_Jack posted 11-15-2005 08:57 AM ET (US)
Surfkast and BigJohn, I too have been thinking about the mounting and was thinking I about installing (2) clamp on brackets ..1 on the center console grab rail and the other on the top corner of the bimini frame. I use the bimini a lot also but there are many time I might not use it. Using the outside grab rail will have a cable running across the deck! Any thoughts???
whale tauk posted 11-15-2005 11:16 AM ET (US)
Surfkast, I initially wired my vhf and gps to the battery as well, but then decided to take jimh's advice and after putting in a second battery and 13 gallon bait tank, I put in a one-two-both-off switch.
Since you're in San Diego, feel free to come and see my 170.
whale tauk
surfkast posted 11-15-2005 11:17 AM ET (US)
BigJohn, great tip on coming into the dock. There's so many things that can go wrong there. I currently use the boat mainly for fishing and do not have a bimini. I think they tend to get in the way, but that's good to know if I ever want to add one later, I'd have to put it on the grab rail. Regarding the outer grab rails, I personally don't like any cables going across the deck, so my VHF will be on the side of the console. That would have been cool if they put a rigging tunnel to the bow for an atenna mount up there. The top grab rail will have the little mushroom antenna from the Garmin gps. Too bad the 198c didn't come with an internal antenna. My console seems to get more and more crowded all the time.
bigjohn1 posted 11-16-2005 07:41 AM ET (US)
Jack, a hardcore fisherman using a Montauk has few options on where to mount the antenna as you already know. Regarding my mounting it on the forward rail, it totally stinks that I must run a cable across the deck. I covered the area where the coax cable crosses the deck by installing the cable inside one of those rubber "ramp" contraptions (like when an extension cord is run across a foot traffic area). I glued it down with marine silicone. I don't really like it that way but I think I have few other options. I have to use my bimini and I need an 8' antenna since I go 20+ miles out quite a bit. I also have to keep the entire aft end of the boat clear for fish fighting. If there is a better option for me, I surely wish I could figure it out - but alas, I am stumped.
Whaler_Jack posted 11-16-2005 09:54 AM ET (US)
BigJohn, I also use my bimini a lot. It's HOT in Texas! What I was thinking is to run the cable from the reciever up the bimini center straps (attached to the center console) and inside the fabric and along the bimini frame to just where the fabric ends as it curves downward and attach a clamp-on bracket there. This would give you a higher antenna (8'+) and remain up and out of the way. Of course when you stow the bimini you would need to unfasten the cable from the reciever and lower the antenna or whoops. The other queston would be is that sturdy enough???

Another subject but, what type seas condition are you comfortable with in the 170? I'm primarily am a bay fisherman but am slowly starting to venture up to 10 mile offshore with 1-2' seas. The fishing out there is great...while the bay can produce little at times. I want to go 20-30 mile or more out. I'm on the Gulf Coast. Sounds like most of "ya'll" are on the West Coast Jack
Diver Dan posted 11-16-2005 10:04 AM ET (US)
On my 1993 Montauk, mounted both the radio and loran antenna, one on each side to the side rails as far aft as possible, just forward of where they start to curve, using ss antenna mounts. Ran the wires along the splash well bulkhead attaching the wires using square plastic mounts with adhesive backing and securing with appropriate size wire tires (u can find the plastic mountings in West Marine catalog), then running the wires thru the tunnel to the inside the console, For me this configuration alows a "balanced" look to the installation (one antenna on each side) and permits the use of the bimini with no intereference to the antennas. Just a thought.
bigjohn1 posted 11-17-2005 07:08 AM ET (US)
Jack - I think the bimini frame would support a 4' antenna but an 8-footer would be pushing it....just too much leverage developed in that long "stick" up there. I would imagine windy days would present an even more "dicey" situation where you have the force of the wind AND the leverage of that antenna working against the strength of the bimini frame...its not something I am willing to try. If I am not mistaken though, C.W. member Moe uses his bimini frame for a shorter antenna.
As to "comfort" and the 170, I think it boils down to what your body can take and how rough the waters are on a typical day in your locale. Here in Guam, we don't have especially "big" sea conditions to deal with out to about 20 miles. Its more about wind strength and how much wind-blown chop you will get. My personal limit is winds blowing at 15 and gusting to 20 (2-4' seas are typical here). These were the conditions last weekend when we took her out but I paid dearly and my back was killing me when I got home.
Mudkap1 posted 11-17-2005 08:34 AM ET (US)
Bigjon1,
I have recently purchased a 170 Montauk 2006. I am now enjoying fishing and crusing around the Chesapeake bay! My question is that I want to purchase the factory bimini but I fish alot and I'm concerned if the bimini will interfere with rods in the mounted rod holders behind the cooler seat while open? Any thoughts. Thanks.
Mike
bigjohn1 posted 11-18-2005 08:03 AM ET (US)
Yes Mike, the bimini WILL interfere with rods stowed in the factory holders. You can easily get around that by buying rail-mounted rod holders from Cabelas or many other sources. I use the factory holders to stow my rods while trailering (my bimini is always down when trailering). Once at the ramp, I transfer my rods to the rail-mount hoders, put up the bimini, and only use the factory holders to hold my fish gaffs. Hope this helps.

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Author	Topic: Montauk 170 do it yourself installs
surfkast	posted 11-13-2005 08:31 PM ET (US) Hi eveyrone, I've had my 2006 Montauk 170 for a few months now and am having a blast fishing, hooping, and cruising off of San Diego. I really enjoy the boat. Now, it's time to add the fun accessories and I have a few questions for you that have done it yourselves or are more electrically knowledgeable. I am installing the following: Kodiak 14 bait tank - 360 gph rule Garmin 198C GPS/FF combo Icom 302 with Shakespeare 5225 8' antenna. I opened up the switch panel to take a look and it's a little different than the wiring diagram. The "ACC" circuit breaker is rated at 10 amps (5 on the diagram) and the "Stereo" circuit breaker is rated at 15 amps ( 5 on the diagram) and is already pre-wired with red/black and speaker wire. Also, the black return does not go from the 12v lighter back to the negative bus as the diagram says, it looks like it goes back from the running lights switch. Here's what I was thinking, but let me know if you think I am totallly off track. Install the bait tank off of the "ACC" switch with positive to the switch and the black going back to the negative bus. (I'd have to piggy back as all the screws are taken) Install the GPS/FF to the prewired red/black pair hanging off the "ACC" switch. Install VHF- Now should the VHF go straight to the battery as it has its own fuse, or would it be bad to put it on the "Stereo" switch as well so I can turn everything off at once? I think the 15 amps can handle the GPS and VHF, but what about electrical interference? Thanks in advance for any input, I would definitely take my time and use good Ancor connectors and heat shrink. PS-here's a tip if you are shopping electronics, take a printout from the internet to West Marine and they will price match--I saved a bunch on the Garmin.
bigjohn1	posted 11-13-2005 10:47 PM ET (US) Can't help you with the bait tank but I installed a vhf and a chartplotter last year on my '05 MONTAUK. I ran both straight to the battery for simplicity. I added an inline fuse to the chartplotter and the vhf already had one. No problems at all. I opted to solder all my electrical connections vice simply crimping them to ensure no problems. Where are you planning on mounting your 8' antenna?
bigjohn1	posted 11-13-2005 10:47 PM ET (US) Can't help you with the bait tank but I installed a vhf and a chartplotter last year on my '05 MONTAUK. I ran both straight to the battery for simplicity. I added an inline fuse to the chartplotter and the vhf already had one. No problems at all. I opted to solder all my electrical connections vice simply crimping them to ensure no problems. Where are you planning on mounting your 8' antenna?
surfkast	posted 11-14-2005 08:00 PM ET (US) bigjohn, thanks for the reply. I wired the bait tank to the switch and pulled the wires through the rigging tunnel. No problem there, the string that's in there already is long enough to tie to itself, giving you a nice loop. I used ancor crimp connectors and heat shrink. I'm planning on putting the antenna on the upper starboard console to be out of the way while fishing. I think I'll put the VHF straight to the battery as well.
stompy27	posted 11-14-2005 09:47 PM ET (US) Hey, If you wire your VHF and 198C to the same acc switch you may find that while transmitting on 25W(Hi Power) the 198C will disable the sounder and switch to GPS mode only. I had this problem with a Garmin 188. I Wired the VHF directly to the battery and the 188 to the ACC switch. I do not have the Stero switch as my 170 is a 2002 and that was not available at the time. Hope that helps. Where are you going to mount the antenna for the VHF and did you get the internal antenna on the 198? Fred
surfkast	posted 11-14-2005 11:48 PM ET (US) Fred, thanks for the info. The 198c came with an external antenna only. I am planning to put it on the center grabrail. I've seen them on the console, but I need what little space is there. Antenna on starboard console. Not sure if I need a spacer with starboard or something to stick out a little, will have to see. Yes, VHF straight to battery seems to be the consensus.
jimh	posted 11-14-2005 11:53 PM ET (US) If you wire the radio directly to the battery, just remember to always turn it off. If you don't you could have a dead or low battery next trip.
bigjohn1	posted 11-15-2005 07:20 AM ET (US) So true...matter of fact, I have a personal, unwritten rule in my boat which dictates that once we arrive at the dock and are tying up, all talking ceases. I love to yack out on the water but this helps me concentrate and remember to turn off both the vhf and gps (along with raising the engine).
bigjohn1	posted 11-15-2005 07:25 AM ET (US) Surfcast: one more thing, do you now have or do you plan to add a bimini to your boat? Will you be using it to fish quite a bit or just joy ride? The reason I ask is that I use my 170 mainly for fishing but always use the bimini. Like you, I opted for the 8' 5225 antenna but I found the only place I could mount a long antenna (and have it out of the way) was way up forward on the starboard side grab rail. Food for thought if you plan to fish and/or use a bimini.
Whaler_Jack	posted 11-15-2005 08:57 AM ET (US) Surfkast and BigJohn, I too have been thinking about the mounting and was thinking I about installing (2) clamp on brackets ..1 on the center console grab rail and the other on the top corner of the bimini frame. I use the bimini a lot also but there are many time I might not use it. Using the outside grab rail will have a cable running across the deck! Any thoughts???
whale tauk	posted 11-15-2005 11:16 AM ET (US) Surfkast, I initially wired my vhf and gps to the battery as well, but then decided to take jimh's advice and after putting in a second battery and 13 gallon bait tank, I put in a one-two-both-off switch. Since you're in San Diego, feel free to come and see my 170. whale tauk
surfkast	posted 11-15-2005 11:17 AM ET (US) BigJohn, great tip on coming into the dock. There's so many things that can go wrong there. I currently use the boat mainly for fishing and do not have a bimini. I think they tend to get in the way, but that's good to know if I ever want to add one later, I'd have to put it on the grab rail. Regarding the outer grab rails, I personally don't like any cables going across the deck, so my VHF will be on the side of the console. That would have been cool if they put a rigging tunnel to the bow for an atenna mount up there. The top grab rail will have the little mushroom antenna from the Garmin gps. Too bad the 198c didn't come with an internal antenna. My console seems to get more and more crowded all the time.
bigjohn1	posted 11-16-2005 07:41 AM ET (US) Jack, a hardcore fisherman using a Montauk has few options on where to mount the antenna as you already know. Regarding my mounting it on the forward rail, it totally stinks that I must run a cable across the deck. I covered the area where the coax cable crosses the deck by installing the cable inside one of those rubber "ramp" contraptions (like when an extension cord is run across a foot traffic area). I glued it down with marine silicone. I don't really like it that way but I think I have few other options. I have to use my bimini and I need an 8' antenna since I go 20+ miles out quite a bit. I also have to keep the entire aft end of the boat clear for fish fighting. If there is a better option for me, I surely wish I could figure it out - but alas, I am stumped.
Whaler_Jack	posted 11-16-2005 09:54 AM ET (US) BigJohn, I also use my bimini a lot. It's HOT in Texas! What I was thinking is to run the cable from the reciever up the bimini center straps (attached to the center console) and inside the fabric and along the bimini frame to just where the fabric ends as it curves downward and attach a clamp-on bracket there. This would give you a higher antenna (8'+) and remain up and out of the way. Of course when you stow the bimini you would need to unfasten the cable from the reciever and lower the antenna or whoops. The other queston would be is that sturdy enough??? Another subject but, what type seas condition are you comfortable with in the 170? I'm primarily am a bay fisherman but am slowly starting to venture up to 10 mile offshore with 1-2' seas. The fishing out there is great...while the bay can produce little at times. I want to go 20-30 mile or more out. I'm on the Gulf Coast. Sounds like most of "ya'll" are on the West Coast Jack
Diver Dan	posted 11-16-2005 10:04 AM ET (US) On my 1993 Montauk, mounted both the radio and loran antenna, one on each side to the side rails as far aft as possible, just forward of where they start to curve, using ss antenna mounts. Ran the wires along the splash well bulkhead attaching the wires using square plastic mounts with adhesive backing and securing with appropriate size wire tires (u can find the plastic mountings in West Marine catalog), then running the wires thru the tunnel to the inside the console, For me this configuration alows a "balanced" look to the installation (one antenna on each side) and permits the use of the bimini with no intereference to the antennas. Just a thought.
bigjohn1	posted 11-17-2005 07:08 AM ET (US) Jack - I think the bimini frame would support a 4' antenna but an 8-footer would be pushing it....just too much leverage developed in that long "stick" up there. I would imagine windy days would present an even more "dicey" situation where you have the force of the wind AND the leverage of that antenna working against the strength of the bimini frame...its not something I am willing to try. If I am not mistaken though, C.W. member Moe uses his bimini frame for a shorter antenna. As to "comfort" and the 170, I think it boils down to what your body can take and how rough the waters are on a typical day in your locale. Here in Guam, we don't have especially "big" sea conditions to deal with out to about 20 miles. Its more about wind strength and how much wind-blown chop you will get. My personal limit is winds blowing at 15 and gusting to 20 (2-4' seas are typical here). These were the conditions last weekend when we took her out but I paid dearly and my back was killing me when I got home.
Mudkap1	posted 11-17-2005 08:34 AM ET (US) Bigjon1, I have recently purchased a 170 Montauk 2006. I am now enjoying fishing and crusing around the Chesapeake bay! My question is that I want to purchase the factory bimini but I fish alot and I'm concerned if the bimini will interfere with rods in the mounted rod holders behind the cooler seat while open? Any thoughts. Thanks. Mike
bigjohn1	posted 11-18-2005 08:03 AM ET (US) Yes Mike, the bimini WILL interfere with rods stowed in the factory holders. You can easily get around that by buying rail-mounted rod holders from Cabelas or many other sources. I use the factory holders to stow my rods while trailering (my bimini is always down when trailering). Once at the ramp, I transfer my rods to the rail-mount hoders, put up the bimini, and only use the factory holders to hold my fish gaffs. Hope this helps.