0:20 Good morning. It's a beautiful morning here and today we're super excited because we are driving from Jupiter to Fort Meyers in Florida, South Florida, beautiful South Florida.
0:32 We're picking up our brand new LTV25 hull that we're going to be building in the next couple of weeks, which is awesome. We're so excited about it and ready to get this boat on the water and get some tuna blood on it. So, here we go.
1:10 All right. So, there she is. LTV25. We're putting twin 200s on this thing and pretty stoked about it. It's beautiful. It's exactly what we wanted: a center console with an open fishing platform in the front, and we are ready to get started with this build.
1:48 All right, it's on the trailer. Ready to take this thing home.
1:57 All right, guys. So, good morning. We are finally starting to work on the boat and doing the installation. As you can see, absolutely nothing is installed on this boat. We got a bare hull from LTV and they did a great job, but now it is up to us to finish this boat.
2:12 We got to get motors on, steering, electronics, wiring—everything is up to us. So, one of the first things we’re going to do is electronics and wiring with the batteries, getting it ready for motor install. We're taking the boat to Palm City Yachts where it's going to get twin 200 Suzukis.
2:42 We're mapping out our console. It's tricky because you don’t want to screw up the holes. That’s why you use blue tape, trace everything, and figure out how it ties together. We're putting a 16-inch Simrad here, a glove box from Boat Outfitters with a lock and seal, a VHF radio, and leaving space for Suzuki gauges beside the steering wheel.
4:01 The cutout for the Simrad is done. These boats are built with thick fiberglass, so you have to be careful drilling. VHF radio will be right here, glove box from Boat Outfitters with stainless steel latches, and a custom switch panel from Boat Outfitters.
5:00 They send a plywood template for cutouts, which makes it easy. We’ll have USB plugs, Fusion radio, all switches, and the LTV logo. The panel has no exposed hardware for a clean look.
6:34 Boom! The Simrad fits perfectly. Now we need to cut for the glove box, VHF, and switch panel with the template.
8:30 Here’s the switch panel from Boat Outfitters with the LTV logo, switches, Fusion radio cutout, USB plugs, and a 12V socket. Nice and thick, no visible screws. The template made it much easier.
9:19 All cutouts are ready. Now we drill mounting screws and secure everything. Tip: go backwards first with the drill to prevent cracking the gel coat.
11:01 The switch panel attaches with studs and nuts in the back—no screws showing. Looks clean and flush. Just don’t overtighten or you’ll crack the acrylic.
11:44 Now securing all dash components: Simrad, VHF, switch panel, and glove box. Always go backwards first when drilling screws. We're mounting the Icon VHF with a flush mount kit and silicone to keep it watertight.
12:39 Installing Fusion speakers: two by the console and two at the rear. Use the Fusion template and painter’s tape to protect surfaces. We’re cutting with a jigsaw.
13:55 Rear speakers installed, wiring routed through the bilge area into the rigging tube to the console.
15:06 Custom fuse panel from Boat Outfitters with both their logo and LTV logo. Simplifies wiring. Each fuse calculated for proper amperage. Using a bus bar for organized distribution.
16:10 Each breaker has labeled positive wires with heat shrink labels. Keeping wires the same length and zip-tied gives a neat, organized panel.
17:20 Installing the fuse panel—LTV’s console is about an inch thick. Drill carefully so screws don’t poke through the other side. Adding silicone for a tight seal.
18:12 Wiring the batteries now. Each switch has its own wire, with jumpers in between. Using proper ring connectors for the studs—important to check size before buying.
19:02 Batteries are wired with jumpers and a six-gauge cable to the bus bar. Adding a fuse for protection. Next, linking all the grounds together and to the negative bus bar, with engines on their own grounds.
20:31 Negative bus bar connected with proper lugs. Battery switches are installed—Boat Outfitters pre-cut holes, making installation simple. Wiring and batteries are ready for motor install.
21:05 Tomorrow we’re dropping off the boat at Palm City Yachts for twin Suzuki 200s. That wraps up this episode. Next time, we’ll cover wiring inside the console and throughout the boat. See you then.