To all 260 owners

[LKYusnret]

You might want to look at some of the things I've done on my 260. This might give you some ideas. Search in the Photo Forum under 260 and Baums Rush. Hope you find something interesting or send me a reply with any questions. I would like to hear of what you have done to yours. John USNret (LKYusnret2@aol.com)PS spelling doesn't count

 

[Rich]

Nothing there....

John,Unless I am missing something there is nothing posted on any of the 4 postings you entered on the 17th. You might want to double check, but as I said it might just be me and my lack of navigational skill's.

 

[Rich]

Nice Job

I was not in the photo forum... sorry.

 

[LKYusnret]

Try this search

select formsselect Hunter Forumselect Photo/Project Forumsearch by model260 selectopen Baums RushHope this worksJohn USNret

 

[Dave C20469]

Thanks John

Good Lord Man, you have managed to pack 32 feet of boat into a 260! Very well done and I appreciate you sharing the pictures. While I have a 26, I can sure use some of these ideas.I'd love to see a detailed, step-by-step on how you did the companionway doors. How do you secure them when they are open?Dave Crowleys/v Wind Dreamer

 

[Salty Dog]

Way To Go Shipmate

You have done an outstanding job. Do you have your own web site so that we can see more?

 

[LKYusnret]

Salty Dog

No , but I'm working on one(web site) The wife and I are retiring this Jan 2007 and plan on doing the GREAT LOOP (that around the eastern half of US) all by water. We plan on taking 12-14 months it's 6,700 nm. After that trip we are now in the proccess of buying a 42ft Valiant and sail around the world, we figure on taking about 14 years to do that, then we'll see. If you see anything that you want to know more about, projects just give me the word.

 

[LKYusnret]

Dave...

The companionway door ok, let me try to walk you thru. I removed the white plastic strip that holds the slats in place. This will give you about an inch of lip on both sides of the door frame, this is the building block for the whole thing. I glued in and screwed in a varnished 1 inch by 1/2 in strip of red oak to make the frame, not both side are NOT parallel. than I used the cheap panneling to make a one peice sheet to go from door frame to door frame. Also note that there is an angle forward from the veterical plain. I then took my cheap pannel to mark and cut out a sheet of marine plywood to give a polygon sided sheet that goes between the frame and is even with the top and bottom of the passesageway. Then you decide on how you want to cut up the sheet to make it fold. as far as hinges you will need 8 seperate sets, I used hinges from West Marine that the pins are spring loaded to brake the hing so I can remove the indivisual slats of the doors. When open the doors stay open because of the inward angle of the companion door frame. If you want you can search out my other pictures in the photo forum and it will show you closer pictures..... OH ya after getting the door put together I had some strips of hard wood that I used to cover the cuts in the door that allow it to fold. Hope that give you an idea. The project took me a couple of weekends but I was starting with just an idea in my head. You have a picture to go by and you can modify as you build. John USNret. I spent 6.5 years below the water and didn't get any spelling test.

 

[George H260]

H260 Mods

John, I'm looking at autopilots. What did you buy and do you have any installation tips?

 

[LKYusnret]

George

Autopilot, I installed a Raymarine ST4000 mark II, easy installation if you have the wheel but I've seen it used with a tiller. Installation hint: the only problems is with getting routing the power to the control unit, and Flex gate cable from below decks and routing the motor control wire to the DC motor on the steering stand. I just takes a plumers snake. If you look where I put the controll head on the STBD side you can make a little hole in the floatation foam down to the area in back of the false bulkhead, once that happens the rest is a pieace of cake. I also bought the RF remote and that works ok. I have used the autopilot in my trip from Miami to the Bahamas and it worked just great. Once you get used to it, life is good. My wife like to go sailing but not to crazy about the sail handling so after setting the course I can then play with sail control lines, spinaker, reef, etc. OH ya, make the power to the unit a decatated line or you might have problems with noise distribing the unit. Keep thing that make RF (radio freqency) noise away from control head, like VHF, inverter (I made a Fariday cage around inverter) so it wouldn't be a problem because of the very short distance between inverter and control head. I still haven't got the Garmin GPS and autopilot talking to each other, I did get the GPS talking to the VHF. I'll have to work on that. Hope that helps John USNret

 

[Salty Dog]

Bubble Head

So John, you were a bubble head?

 

[LKYusnret]

salty DOG

Yes I am or was or shall ever be a bubble head.I had to do something for 24 years, 18 patrols was enough for me. Now work as an electrical engineer for Volvo Trucks, that is untill this Jan. when i retire for GOOD!!!!!!!John USNret

 

[Salty Dog]

AirDale Here

Congratulations to you Shipmate. I spent 22 years in the aviation side. My fun meter got pegged so I now work for the Govt. Don't plan on retirng just yet. Having too much fun.