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Author Topic:   Conquest 305 Transom Thickness

SouthFla posted 02-21-2010 02:24 PM ET (US)
Tell me the approximate thickness of the transom [of a Boston Whaler 305 CONQUEST]. I'm installing some [unclear, possibly meant "under water"] lights and need to know how long of a drill bit I'll need to get all of the way through the transom near the motors and into the bilge area above the keel . Thanks!
jollyrog305 posted 02-21-2010 08:02 PM ET (US)
[The thickness of the transom on a Boston Whaler 305 CONQUEST is] 2.5-inches [of reinforcement plywood] plus fiberglass and gel coat. Just a guestimate based on the 2005 wood drawing. Design and dimension haven’t really changed, so it may be a good starting point.
SouthFla posted 02-22-2010 08:27 AM ET (US)
Awesome pdf, thanks for that! Just what I needed, happy boating :-)
John
jollyrog305 posted 02-22-2010 09:14 AM ET (US)
Please post picture links when done. I would enjoy seeing the results.
Chuck Tribolet posted 02-23-2010 10:03 PM ET (US)
Why do you need underwater lights?

Chuck
jimh posted 02-24-2010 09:12 AM ET (US)
Chuck--I believe the allure of having underwater lights is their cool-factor. The cool-factor is so high that installation of underwater lighting is worth the risk of drilling several large holes below the waterline in the transom of the boat. Even though drilling large holes in the transom below the waterline will weaken the structure of the transom and create opportunity for ingress of water to the transom and to the Unibond hull structure, these risks are outweighed by the cool-factor of underwater lights.
Jefecinco posted 02-24-2010 09:44 AM ET (US)
I remember a similar discussion several months ago. When queried as to the use of the proposed underwater lights the OP responded that they will attract bait fish useful for night fishing.
It was suggested that a waterproof flashlight suspended behind the boat may hold an equal attraction for bait fish at far less cost and inconvenience. As often happens the discussion went on for a while but the OP had nothing to add.
It is absolutely the cool factor as stated.
Butch
SouthFla posted 02-24-2010 10:47 AM ET (US)
NEED them? No one says you need them. Heck, I don't NEED a boat. But I WANT one...As far as having UnderWater lights:
(1) The look cool as all get out;
(2) It's GREAT for fishing at night, not just for bait attracting which is excellent but just for being able to see below the surface when doing so;
(3) It's GREAT when diving at night, always knowing where your boat is while underwater. A HUGE comfort factor in that inky-blackness;
(4) Did I mention they look cool?!? :-)
Seriously tho, the costs are no different than upgrading anything else on the boat, and the risks of drilling (3) 1/4" holes below the waterline to route the wiring are minimal to non-existant as long as you follow accepted practices and recomendations for doing so.
This will complete my "upgrade" list on my 2005 Conquest 305 which has included:
(1) replacing helm halogen light w/red & white LED light;
(2) Replacing halogen spreaders with LED Spreader lights;
(3) Replacing Interior lights with LEDs;
(4) Installing 2nd (backup) 2000gph Bilge Pump and thru-hull;
(5) Replacing worthless courtesy lamps under gunwale with LED rope lighting;
(6) Constructing a retractable Cockpit Shade system;
(7) Installing Flat panel and DVD player in cabin (GREAT for watching "JAWS" when out in the middle of the ocean all night drift fishing :-D );
(8) Constructing a floating wood floor for head to match the cabin wood flooring.
Yeah, I like to tinker :-)
contender posted 02-24-2010 01:11 PM ET (US)
What about going through the bottom of the boat, Is there wood in the bottom of a 305?. This way if the light leaked a little in the bottom of the boat there would be no wood to get wet and rot. Just another thought...
contender posted 02-24-2010 01:13 PM ET (US)
You can back up the lights with starboard for support on the inside bottom....
burning_hXc_soul posted 02-24-2010 01:42 PM ET (US)
Make a 4x4 foot square frame out of 1" or so pvc pipe, attach waterproof led rope lights to it with zip ties, waterproof the wiring and connections and run the wiring itself inside of the pvc pipe. Then run the wire to battery clips. just use 550 parachute cord/rope to pull it back up on the boat and not by the wires. I use 2x 5 pound weights to get it to sink to the bottom. So far no failures with this for bow-fishing and no holes in the boat!
tesija posted 03-01-2010 05:05 PM ET (US)
Attach the underwater lights to your trim tabs-I've seen brackets for mounting them on top of the tabs, with wires running ABOVE the waterline. That way, there's no drilling through the hull and they're adjustable my moving the tabs up and down-way cool.
sosmerc posted 03-01-2010 06:22 PM ET (US)
That's cool thinking.....I hope Bennett and Lenco are listening...built-in lights and wiring on the Lencos would be especially nice! :)

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Author	Topic: Conquest 305 Transom Thickness
SouthFla	posted 02-21-2010 02:24 PM ET (US) Tell me the approximate thickness of the transom [of a Boston Whaler 305 CONQUEST]. I'm installing some [unclear, possibly meant "under water"] lights and need to know how long of a drill bit I'll need to get all of the way through the transom near the motors and into the bilge area above the keel . Thanks!
jollyrog305	posted 02-21-2010 08:02 PM ET (US) [The thickness of the transom on a Boston Whaler 305 CONQUEST is] 2.5-inches [of reinforcement plywood] plus fiberglass and gel coat. Just a guestimate based on the 2005 wood drawing. Design and dimension haven’t really changed, so it may be a good starting point.
SouthFla	posted 02-22-2010 08:27 AM ET (US) Awesome pdf, thanks for that! Just what I needed, happy boating :-) John
jollyrog305	posted 02-22-2010 09:14 AM ET (US) Please post picture links when done. I would enjoy seeing the results.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 02-23-2010 10:03 PM ET (US) Why do you need underwater lights? Chuck
jimh	posted 02-24-2010 09:12 AM ET (US) Chuck--I believe the allure of having underwater lights is their cool-factor. The cool-factor is so high that installation of underwater lighting is worth the risk of drilling several large holes below the waterline in the transom of the boat. Even though drilling large holes in the transom below the waterline will weaken the structure of the transom and create opportunity for ingress of water to the transom and to the Unibond hull structure, these risks are outweighed by the cool-factor of underwater lights.
Jefecinco	posted 02-24-2010 09:44 AM ET (US) I remember a similar discussion several months ago. When queried as to the use of the proposed underwater lights the OP responded that they will attract bait fish useful for night fishing. It was suggested that a waterproof flashlight suspended behind the boat may hold an equal attraction for bait fish at far less cost and inconvenience. As often happens the discussion went on for a while but the OP had nothing to add. It is absolutely the cool factor as stated. Butch
SouthFla	posted 02-24-2010 10:47 AM ET (US) NEED them? No one says you need them. Heck, I don't NEED a boat. But I WANT one...As far as having UnderWater lights: (1) The look cool as all get out; (2) It's GREAT for fishing at night, not just for bait attracting which is excellent but just for being able to see below the surface when doing so; (3) It's GREAT when diving at night, always knowing where your boat is while underwater. A HUGE comfort factor in that inky-blackness; (4) Did I mention they look cool?!? :-) Seriously tho, the costs are no different than upgrading anything else on the boat, and the risks of drilling (3) 1/4" holes below the waterline to route the wiring are minimal to non-existant as long as you follow accepted practices and recomendations for doing so. This will complete my "upgrade" list on my 2005 Conquest 305 which has included: (1) replacing helm halogen light w/red & white LED light; (2) Replacing halogen spreaders with LED Spreader lights; (3) Replacing Interior lights with LEDs; (4) Installing 2nd (backup) 2000gph Bilge Pump and thru-hull; (5) Replacing worthless courtesy lamps under gunwale with LED rope lighting; (6) Constructing a retractable Cockpit Shade system; (7) Installing Flat panel and DVD player in cabin (GREAT for watching "JAWS" when out in the middle of the ocean all night drift fishing :-D ); (8) Constructing a floating wood floor for head to match the cabin wood flooring. Yeah, I like to tinker :-)
contender	posted 02-24-2010 01:11 PM ET (US) What about going through the bottom of the boat, Is there wood in the bottom of a 305?. This way if the light leaked a little in the bottom of the boat there would be no wood to get wet and rot. Just another thought...
contender	posted 02-24-2010 01:13 PM ET (US) You can back up the lights with starboard for support on the inside bottom....
burning_hXc_soul	posted 02-24-2010 01:42 PM ET (US) Make a 4x4 foot square frame out of 1" or so pvc pipe, attach waterproof led rope lights to it with zip ties, waterproof the wiring and connections and run the wiring itself inside of the pvc pipe. Then run the wire to battery clips. just use 550 parachute cord/rope to pull it back up on the boat and not by the wires. I use 2x 5 pound weights to get it to sink to the bottom. So far no failures with this for bow-fishing and no holes in the boat!
tesija	posted 03-01-2010 05:05 PM ET (US) Attach the underwater lights to your trim tabs-I've seen brackets for mounting them on top of the tabs, with wires running ABOVE the waterline. That way, there's no drilling through the hull and they're adjustable my moving the tabs up and down-way cool.
sosmerc	posted 03-01-2010 06:22 PM ET (US) That's cool thinking.....I hope Bennett and Lenco are listening...built-in lights and wiring on the Lencos would be especially nice! :)