Hey everyone,
I am getting ready to start rigging my new 2018 Caracal and I have a few questions. I thought I would ask on here before email the folks at Basscat directly. I am not new to boat rigging, just a very meticulous perfectionist who wants to do it right the first time. I want to take advantage of any/all opportunities that I have to prevent problems out on the water that could have been avoided by human error.
Already installed on my boat from Basscat:
- 36V Ultrex w/heading sensing GPS puck
- 4 bank Minnkota charger by Basscat.
I am installing the following:
- 3 – 10″ Helix G3Ns
- 2 at the bow (DI & GPS)
- 1 in the console (SI)
- 360 transducer on the Ultrex
- 2 – heading sensing GPS pucks (1 at the bow and 1 at the transom)
- Humminbird ethernet hub
- 2 – 8′ Powerpole Blades
I am planning on putting a Blue Sea Systems power distribution fuse block under the console and feeding it power from the cranking battery in the rear. All of my electronics will have fused power from there. I want to ensure that I do not have any trolling motor power interference in any of my electronics. If I am not mistaking, the trolling motor battery cables are run down the center of the boat which will allow me to run all of the electronics power up the starboard side of the boat (from the console to the bow).
Not being familiar with all of the sub-deck wire tubes and routing options/recommendations, does anyone know if a “floor plan” or “blueprint” exists of this for the Caracal? If it does, can someone share this with me?
I have the twin 26-gallon saddle tanks and am planning to install the Powerpole pumps in the rear port side compartment under the pullout tray (seems to be where Basscat installs them from the factory). I run a decent amount of big water (living in Michigan chasing smallies) so I was wondering if it is advised to add some sort of caulk or adhesive to my fasteners that are being used to secure the pump brackets into the fiberglass? I know to pre-drill the holes, but I just want to prevent fasteners from coming out (although I’d like to be able to take them out if I ever needed to).
I have heard that if you had to drill through holes through the gel coat finish that it is advised to chamfer the hole on the epoxy side to prevent or reduce cracking. Is this true?
Last thing (I think), any tips or best practices for cutting out a giant hole in the console to flush mount a graph? I was planning to lay down painter tape where I am cutting to prevent splintering and/nicking the gel coat. Do you guys use caulk or some kind of sealant around the graph before screwing it in? Gasket?
Thanks,
Greg
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