Route harness and hoses through Transom

[joe7670]

I'm getting ready to route my harness and hoses through the transom. Engine is on a bracket with 24' setback. I bought a fitting that goes into the transom onto which a plastic harness cover screws into(don't know what that harness cover is really called but local supplier recommended it).

I was told that the plastic harness cover goes right into the motor.

Question is should I be routing the hydraulic steering hoses through another hole in the transom or everything through the same hole?
Same hole would require that I poke a hole in that plastic harness cover. Any issues with making that hole?

Also, should the primer bulb be placed after the transom and close to the motor or in the transom?

[RidgeRunner]

I like the plastic tube that resembles the plastic vacuum hose. I think it is what you have. Is the NEW Opti digital throttle & shift?
If not the rigging tube might be too full for the hydraulic hoses to pass thru.
I recently purchased a Sea Star hydraulic steering unit. The hose was expensive but it came to the length I ordered and has a fancy black anodized fitting for bulkhead mounting. I have also used the thru transom style that uses a piece of brass to pass thru the transom. It requires two smaller lengths of hose to reach to cylinder.

Bulkhead fitting built onto hose.
(http://www.go2marine.com/category.do?no=13893&mfrno=253)http://ww2.seastarsteering.com/PDFs/971715-E.pdf

Thru transom:
http://ww2.seastarsteering.com/FITTINGS/fittings.htm

[joe7670]

Don't have digital throttle and shift.

The vacuum type hose is exactly what I have. It's sweet as it screws right into the transom fitting.

I was expecting to route one complete hose all the way through and really like the idea of that hose with the bulkhead fitting.

Let me see with my vendor tomorrow to see what can be done as I didn't realize there were all these options for making it through the transom.

[reelapeelin]

You can go to Lowes or Home Depot and get 2" replacement Shop Vac hose for that...have had it on mine since 2004 and works/looks GREAT...got the idea from Maco Joe...he used it on his bracket/OB w/good result...:party:

[willy]

All the new boats for years run everything thu the same hose so I don't see why yo would not be able to

[csvencer]

I did mine about 6 months ago and got everything minus the steering cable into a mesh, finger trap like tube, that I got off of McmasterCarr. If I did it again I would spend the money on a setup like this...
http://www.outdoorsuperstore.com/product.asp?T%2E+H%2E++MARINE=THMA+RIGGING+FLANGE+ W%2FFUEL+HOSE&prod=530173

It gives you clean access to the primer bulb and wraps everything else up.

-Svence

[RidgeRunner]

All the new boats for years run everything thu the same hose so I don't see why yo would not be able to

My Whaler has an Opti that does not have everything run thru the same hose. Most boats with hydraulic steering do not rig the hydraulic hoses thru the rigging tube. The Opti has a remote oil tank that requires a molded oil line that is as big as some of the old harnesses. I think the following will be enough to run thru there: oil line, power and ground cables, an extra harness for the Smartcraft guages, thottle and shift cables, water pressure hose and motor harness.
As I understand it Joe was asking for opinions about adding the two hydraulic steering lines to the same rigging tube. It may be possible to shoehorn them in but then you would have to cut holes in the rigging tube as the two hydraulic hoses don't go into the cowl like the others, they lead to the cylinder that mounts to the front of the motor.
My .02

csvencer - Never saw that one before, very cool.
I was going to suggest the primer be inside the boat out of the sun, that way the fuel lines never get baked, it will all be concealed below deck or inside the rigging tube.

Either way, Joe tell us more of the freshly rigged Opti please...

[joe7670]

Like that contraption, but gonna stick with clean hose with all but steering in it andfuel bulb inside boat.

Having my source check on the bulkhead options for my steering hoses.

Will report back prob. next week with results.

[csvencer]

For the hydraulic hoses I usually just see another rigging tube over about a foot with an open end.

Like...
http://img.alibaba.com/photo/100647611/2005_Hydra_Sports_230_Wa_Lightning_Boat.jpg

-Svence

[spareparts]

I hate the rigging tubes, if you ever have to service any thing inside of it(and you will), its a PITA. I've found pinched fuel lines(the mystery fuel probelm) and battery cables that were rotted in half(ahrd starting with a new battery), all hidden by the rigging tube. Found countless bad controll cables and cut electrical harnesses, all hidden inside the tube.They aren't too bad when you do them yourself(still a pita), but the boat manufactures usually tie wrap everything about 6" apart so you have to remove the entire tube to service any one item. They look nice though. I've been getting the local canvas shop to make up a sleeve out of Subrella with a zipper that runs the length, after you get all your rigging together, you zip it up, if you ever need to service or replace anything, just unzip it. A hose clamp or some snaps will hold it on the bulkhead mounts and the engine side. It looks pretty good, can be color matched to your canvas(if you want) adn won't hold water.

[csvencer]

I hate the rigging tubes, if you ever have to service any thing inside of it(and you will), its a PITA. I've found pinched fuel lines(the mystery fuel probelm) and battery cables that were rotted in half(ahrd starting with a new battery), all hidden by the rigging tube. Found countless bad controll cables and cut electrical harnesses, all hidden inside the tube.They aren't too bad when you do them yourself(still a pita), but the boat manufactures usually tie wrap everything about 6" apart so you have to remove the entire tube to service any one item. They look nice though. I've been getting the local canvas shop to make up a sleeve out of Subrella with a zipper that runs the length, after you get all your rigging together, you zip it up, if you ever need to service or replace anything, just unzip it. A hose clamp or some snaps will hold it on the bulkhead mounts and the engine side. It looks pretty good, can be color matched to your canvas(if you want) adn won't hold water.


Like this.

http://www.thmarine.com/producta4f1.html

-Svence

[spareparts]

exactly

[macojoe]

were you buy those?? That guy will not sell to people

[spareparts]

T&H should be available thru most bass boat suplier outlets, check with bass pro. I get the local canvas guy to make mine, usually has enough scrap laying around for the material, make sure they use a high quality plastic zipper or you'll be cutting the sleeve off with sicsors.

[Bygracealone]

I had kept my fuel line separate from all the electrical wires... just seems safer that way.