Aliens land in the UK

[Captain Chaos]

Had a very; very brief ;p; telephone conversation with TD this week regarding many things.....but mostly about me pulling me finger out & getting a 200+ for the Phantom.

I remember saying that....being the ole woman i am....I want to make sure the thing looks proper and has all the newer style cowels etc.......the big fella agreed.....things have just got to look good!

I knew Eagle F1 stateside had done retrofit ones for a while......anyone know who does them here?

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F48490/

[Taz]

If its the same bloke he phoned me asking if i wanted a new cowling apparently he makes them from home and rates then well, he said it takes him a week to make one cowling though

[JamesM]

Cye can get repo ones, their made from fibre glass and are actually stronger than the genuine one I believe. He can get it all stickered up how you wan it too!!! Thats what he runs on his boat. Give him call :)

[Captain Chaos]

stickers aint a problem........i got the latest merc logo + nearly done the mariner ones.

i should give cye a call and start a side-line.........if i do enough i might be able to put a squirt into the phantom come the summer

[Tony Davis]

John Lyndsey of Rib Racing fame (lethal viking) had a guy making them in carbon fibre!

[mike k]

Hi Captain Chaos I have a repro Alien hood and could do with a complete set of up to date logo's (I only have the old slyle Merc Logo on the side)
Are you doing them yourself or do you know where I can get some without taking out a second mortgage. cheers:

[Captain Chaos]

got the merc logo......can do whatever colours you like......especially as i've not got close enough to get a good reference.

the prism like part that curves around the side groove will be the hardest part.......i need one to measure up.

CC

[Silversurfer]

Do all the alien cowls fit an XR2? Do u need a fitting kit? Is this included? Does this include the lower part of the cowling?
How much are they from Cyes mate?

Is the world round?

LOL

[Admiral P. Brain]

Captain
have you actually launched yet?
if not, when did you put the order in on your phantom?
hope this question doesnt upset you!! I just thought it was finished??

[Louise]

Awww! Don't upset him on his birthday, Admiral! I reckon we'd have heard about it (ad nauseum :D ) if the Phantom had hit the water!

[Carl]

mebbee hes getting his hair done for his party tonite

[Admiral P. Brain]

whoops dont mean to upset him.... just thought he already had an engine and had launched on a previous thread.... remember i have the brain the size of a pea!!!!

[glen76]

Originally posted by Tony Davis
John Lyndsey of Rib Racing fame (lethal viking) had a guy making them in carbon fibre!

i think little john gets the non cf ones for about £300-£400 all stickered up and includes the bit that looks like a dinner tray too.. i can ask where if u want. look good they do

[Silversurfer]

Hmm £300 pounds sounds good could you ask? Does this include everything? Is it an easy fit?

[Captain Chaos]

Originally posted by Admiral P. Brain
Captain
have you actually launched yet?
if not, when did you put the order in on your phantom?
hope this question doesnt upset you!! I just thought it was finished??

Admiral.....I've had to overcome several barriers to achieve perfection!

a servere bout of Lazyitus being the main one!

[Admiral P. Brain]

gotta keep focused...... it will be worth it when you finally nail that hammer!!!

[Hydrostream]

I could make these for a lot less than £550, not sure on a price yet, would need to cost materials and hardware. Would anyone be interested?

I'd need to have an idea of numbers, I think I could do these cheap enough though, even cheaper without hardware like buckles, etc.

This one...

[Captain Chaos]

I'm sure there would be alot of interest......but you got to spread the word.

i saw some retro ones on a Ring 20, easter gone....they were flimsy shite....but where aesthetically very good.

[Cyco]

Any good quality copy cowling for under £500 is cheap.
Things to consider tho; is it supplied with the inner cowling that directs the air flow towards the front, and the water to the back drain holes.
Does it have the extra piece on the front of the cowling that carries the M (mercury) logo.
Does it have the pin location insert with the metal top plate.

You wil also have to get a modified cowling support brkt.
I can supply these new with your boat number or name lazer cut into them.

You then need a lock down catch for the front of the cowling Stainless steel not rubber (they don't last), and then a set of stickers from the Capt.

All this need to be considered prior to buying one as it all adds up.
The cowlings that I can get are not cheap.
If you want a resonably priced one try raffshore see pic.

Capt I have a pic of the latest mercury logo if you need it.

Cyco

[Cyco]

Raffshore cowling

[mike k]

Hi Cyco, can you supply the inner cowl thar directs the airflow ?

[Cyco]

Inner cowl
Yes I can supply the inner cowl.
I need to get an upto date price for you!

Cyco

[Silversurfer]

Cyco / Hydro stream I am interested. Spoke to the guy selling them on boats and outboards. However he said you ned to remove the powerhead to chnage the tray. Is this the case with all of the new cowling? Not sure that this is something I would want to attempt with my limited knowledge!!!!!

[Cyco]

Yes you will need to remove the powerhead on all models to fit any new style cowling and base pan.

To do this you will need a mercury engine lifting eye, two new base gaskets, and an engine lift.
It's worth considering that some of the studs in the power head may be seized, this could mean extra time is needed to remove them.
Who is close to you that can do this?
Always get a price first, tie them down to a finished price then any problems will be up to them and not extra.

Cyco

[Silversurfer]

Not sure that there is anyone close to me able to do it. Its all Jet skis round by us had to drive to southampton for the trim pump! Howver my tray is looking awfully rusty so maybe its time to replace it.

[Hydrostream]

Cyco, sorry not trying to say, " hey I can do them cheaper then him", kinda thing! That looks like nice work on that cowl above, do you make these?

Like I said before, I could supply them part finnished without the hardware and people could finnish them! I am going to make a mold anyway as I want to make one in metalflake to match my boat. :rolleyes:

Silversurfer, not having to pull the powerhead is one of the things I wanted to experiment with. Not sure how yet, need to have a better look but I think it might attach in a similar way to the clamshell cowling.

Alan

[Jon Fuller]

That 2.5 efi in your first post Matt (new boxed in NY), the lower unit looks to be a smaller diameter than 'normal', or is it an optical illusion?

[Captain Chaos]

I've seen all of the above (what the fcuk do you think i've been doing??)

300's all seem cheap but i thought we agreed; overly thirsty.

2.5 efi, nice thought....17K are you on drugs? (dont answer that)

Jay Smith motor - seems its not built by him whoever he is anyway!??

the 225 negotiations coming along nicely.......need to iron out some VAT & Duty issues + abit of tech info from Matt/ JF/ Cyco wouldbe appreciated.

BTW isnt the pic by Fuller the latest merc graphics or have i been wasting many hours infonr of my PC??

I've also copied these:

[JamesM]

A 2.5 EFI 260 or 280 is a 100 hour motor don't forget.

[Captain Chaos]

sorry....these

[Hydrostream]

I just bought a set of molds to build alien style cowls, if anyone is looking for a cowl I can build them in any colour you want and supply them as moldings only for a modest amount.

I will be able to supply them completed also in a while, after I find a source for all the hardware, ss pans etc! And finalise a price!

Alan

http://img74.exs.cx/img74/4919/copyofnew14re.jpg

[Gav]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Hydrostream
[B]I just bought a set of molds to build alien style cowls, if anyone is looking for a cowl I can build them in any colour you want and supply them as moldings only for a modest amount.

Would one of these fit a 200 mariner?:confused:

[Captain Chaos]

Every aftermarket alien cowl should fit 2.0,2.4,2.5L V6 mercs but not the 3.0L as they are much bigger.

Apparantly the only thing that changes is the s/s or kevlar bottom trays that (I think) are bolted in-place underneath the powerhead and then get riveted to the bottom cowl.

I noticed theres no skirt mould in that picture!

[Gav]

i want one:D

or i might design my own:eek:

[Hydrostream]

Fit 2.0, 2.4, 2.5 engines

[Gav]

pm me a price for one set , untrimmed etc.

cheers
Gav

[Hydrostream]

Originally posted by Captain Chaos

I noticed theres no skirt mould in that picture!

Captain, no sorry no bottom skirt, but I'm working on it should have these soon and some other things I'm working on too!:)

Alan

[Gav]

thanx for pm.
what materials/layup are they?
are they gelcoat finish or need spraying?

:cheers:

[Captain Chaos]

I often wonderd how good the pigment would be for the mariners.

[Gav]

i want black anyway loz, with custom mariner graphics:up:

[Captain Chaos]

I'll add it to me list:drain:

[Hydrostream]

Gav, I haven't built any yet so will have to see but probably build with csm and poly resin and maybe som coremat on large flats for some rigidity if it needs it. I'll mold them in black gelcoat can be sanded down on the seam (2 pce mold) and pollished or you can spray it if ya like!

[roofer]

looks like there's some interest in these so i'll bring it back to top.

[Gav]

Good idea roofer, when do we expect to have the first set off then Hydro?

[Taz]

Yeah ill have one when you start making

[Hydrostream]

I'm still waiting on the mold from the US so as soon as it arrives about 2/3 days to first one popped after the mold is cleaned/ prepped etc.

I'll let you guys know as soon as I get the mold.

Gav, you'll be here for the boat show and collect it then, right?

Thanks, Alan

[Gav]

Alan,

Just been chatting to a buddy who knows of a newer engine so i might hang fire and see what this one is like first:up:

I'll give you a shout nearer the time.:cheers:

[Hydrostream]

No prob dude.

[mike k]

One thing to be aware of when fitting the aliien hoods is that they are longer than a standard hood so extend further into the engine well. On the Signature unless you run with the engine up a couple of holes you cant tilt it very far.

[Jon]

Well,

I have tried to understand this, honestly i have, but just dont get it.

Why oh Why would anyone want to go to the trouble and expense of fitting a different cowling to their outboard motor?

What difference does it make to the boats performance, handling or rough water capability?

Sounds like a case of dressing mutton up to look like lamb!!

I could be wrong though, so perhaps someone could enlighten me please.

[Cyco]

Do you not take pride in how your equipment looks?
Why pay for a new motor when you can simply dress up your old one.
It is also worth considering that some of the interested people may have damaged existing cowlings, and an aftermarket cowling is certainly cheaper the an old style genuine Mercury.
I know which I think looks better.

[Jon]

Originally posted by Matt
Why would you want to take the silent thunder platfrom off the back of yer formula? What difference does it make to the boats performance, handling or rough water capability? :D

Cos its well known that the wood used in their construction rots out causing the grp moulding to crack. By removing the silent thunder platform i can have it repaired to avoid very costly repairs at a later date.

As to the difference it would make to the boats performance, well as it weighs around 400lbs and is hanging off the rear end, i would guess that the boat would plane quicker as well as gain 2-3mph on top end. This is due to less weight and an engine that can breathe easier without restrictions.

Good god your a nobba Matt!!!

[Cyco]

Less weight of the rear end = more speed???
Is that not where you need the weight.
I know your saying that you are removing that weight but 2-3 mph.
400lbs is that a joke or does it actually weigh that, what did you use a crane to get it off.

Cyco

[Hydrostream]

Originally posted by R-Don
Well,

I have tried to understand this, honestly i have, but just dont get it.

Why oh Why would anyone want to go to the trouble and expense of fitting a different cowling to their outboard motor?

What difference does it make to the boats performance, handling or rough water capability?

Sounds like a case of dressing mutton up to look like lamb!!

I could be wrong though, so perhaps someone could enlighten me please.


Because clamshell cowlings are shite!

Also if you're going to go to a lot of effort and expense to modify the internals, why not go the whole hog and do the exterior too!

[Jon]

Originally posted by Cyco
Less weight of the rear end = more speed???
Is that not where you need the weight.
I know your saying that you are removing that weight but 2-3 mph.
400lbs is that a joke or does it actually weigh that, what did you use a crane to get it off.

Cyco

Why dont you try reading my post thoroughly before you reply! :asshole:

[Jon]

Cheers Hydrostream,

Thanks for the explanation. I now understand why people with outboards would want the "Bling" replacement ones.:D

I agree that the clamshell ones are a pain in the ass, didnt realise that the alien ones are one piece.

[Cyco]

I MUST BE MISSING SOMETHING HERE. EXPLAIN
NOT QUITE SURE ABOUT BEING AN ASSHOLE :flame:

[Jon]

Cyco,

I explained quite clearly in a previous post that removing my swim platform would help the boat to plane quicker, reduce the weight on the rear (over the prop) by 400lb as well as enabling the engine to breathe better (without restriction). Other Formula owners in the states have seen improvements of 2 to 3mph increase in top end.

It takes two men to lift it off the back of the boat.

Is that clear?

[Cyco]

CLEAR NOW THANKS.
I DID'NT KNOW IF YOU WERE JOKING OR NOT ABOUT THAT WEIGHT.

NOT LIKE YOU NEED THE SWIM PLATFORM THAT OFTEN IN THIS COUNTRY.

[Jon]

To clarify things further,

The swim platform was an extra on the Formula's at a rediculous price. This is because it contains a patented silencer system to reduce the noise of the engine to permissible levels in order to comply with various state legislations.

Because it was an after thought, it has been over engineered in terms of weight.

However these swim platforms have seals where they join the transom of the boat making them watertight. In time, the seals leak, indicated by exhaust gasses leaking around the side of the join. Usually seen as bubbles in the water.

Once these seals leak, water is able to get at the timbers used in the platforms construction as well as gaining access to the through hull exhaust tips and causing expensive damage.

[Jon]

Originally posted by Cyco
I MUST BE MISSING SOMETHING HERE. EXPLAIN
NOT QUITE SURE ABOUT BEING AN ASSHOLE :flame:

Sorry Cyco,

Didnt mean to offend you pal.:cheers:

[Cyco]

Decided to go with R Don on this one.
I have to agree the clam shell cowling does look the Bollocks afterall.
:cheers:

[Burty]

Nice dude.:D JBD's been busy in photoshop again then:D

[roofer]

hydro is that your ad on boatsandoutboards for cowl ?

[Hydrostream]

Roofer, yeah I have an ad on boats and outboards for cowls. Ignore the price though, if anyone here is looking for one we can work a deal. I'm not trying to make a fortune on these, just want to offset the cost a bit!

I'm having major trouble shipping these, was talking to the guy i bought them from today. He can't get anyone to ship them at a sane price, he's even split them into 3 boxes, 1 for each side of the top and 1 for the tray & face plate!

It look's like they are comming air freight and for the cost of the freight I could buy 2 cowls!!!
I hope to have them soon and will let you guys know when they arrive!

Thanks, Alan

[roofer]

alan i'll have one, any idea of timescale till delivery ?

[Gav]

hydro.
are YOU making these yourself?

[Jon Fuller]

hydro, talk to td, if he buys the Spectre 30 he wants, mebbe he could pop the moulds in the boat cockpit when it comes over.

[Hydrostream]

Roofer: not sure yet. As soon as it ships I'll know better. After I get the molds here, give me about a week to get one or two together!

Gav: yes I am making them myself. I bought the mold because I want to build a metalflake cowl to match my boat with all the merc logos done in red flake :)

I MIGHT be able to save you guy's on shipping a bit if my work needs to collect a boat from the UK and a van is going to collect it. But that could be anytime!
Too bad I didn't have it already as we are collecting/ collected 3 or 4 boats from London this week for our boatshow.

[Hydrostream]

Jonny, thanks for that I'll def. keep that in mind.

I got all the weights and box sizes today, I'm going to have a look at DHL and FedEx, etc now and see what I can do!

Where is the spectre?
Florida by any chance?

Thanks for that, Alan

[Gav]

Hydro,

Have you done much with metalic jewels? Have you played with the pearlescent pig powders?

[Gav]

Just a thought but surely someone on here has a set of alien cowls that a set of moulds could be taken off??:confused:
Then replaced with a new set out of those moulds? Anybody?:brain:

[roofer]

alan try fed ex , hutchy ordered some bits last saturday and they arrived today .

[Hydrostream]

Roofer, just been on their site for the last half hour trying to figure out how to navigate it, user friendly wasn't in their head anyway! What a head fk

Anyway, the boxes are to big to send fedex express and too small to send fedex freight. Looked at DHL and it was even worse so didn't bother.

Went onto USPS and got a quote for 4/5 days at a reasonable price. So I'll email him tonight and tell him I'm cool with that price and get it sorted, all going well, should be here next week some time.
Then come the taxes and extra charges ....

Gav, I've heard of the pearlescent's but never used them, I don't know what metalic jewels are! What are they and have you used them?
I was thinking of reclearing my boat with clear gel and maybe tinting it a little with pearlescent or doing some flame work with them. Have you used these, how did it work out?

[Jon]

Originally posted by Gav
Just a thought but surely someone on here has a set of alien cowls that a set of moulds could be taken off??:confused:
Then replaced with a new set out of those moulds? Anybody?:brain:

Is that not "Splashing"?

[Gav]

Originally posted by Hydrostream


Gav, I've heard of the pearlescent's but never used them, I don't know what metalic jewels are! What are they and have you used them?
I was thinking of reclearing my boat with clear gel and maybe tinting it a little with pearlescent or doing some flame work with them. Have you used these, how did it work out?

The pearlescent is a shit to use but gives excellent result!

Metalic jewels are the metalic flakes to put into stonecast gelcoat to produce a metalic finish in grp, were you going to spray your cowl then? I use these a lot for a regular job we have.............very effective especially i you put a couple of layers of cear stonecast first! I'll dig out a pic and post it......

[Gav]

Originally posted by R-Don
Is that not "Splashing"?

And your point is?:pirate:

[BREN]

Originally posted by R-Don
Is that not "Splashing"?

yeah splashing idea gav :drain:

[BREN]

i once sprayed a escort rs turbo in pearlescent the finish has to be really even and the prep 100%but worth it what a great effect.

[Hydrostream]

Never heard them called metalic jewals before, just metalflake. My whole boat is layed up in metalflake, even the bottom. I want to try and restore it back to how it should look, theres quite a few scratces on it and it's gotten a bit dull.
Also I've cut most of the rear deck and splashwell off to replace the transom and they're not going back on so I'll have to fab a new rear for the boat so I'm sure I'll get a good feel for flake.

And yes I will be spraying the gel flake onto the boat and into the mold.

I still can't decide if I want to go to all the trouble to restore the flake or do something like this....

But the Bling value of the flake is PRICELESS!!!

[BREN]

i sprayed my first boat's deck in metalflake.over a solid yellow basecoat.i never had a agitator gun so i put a ball bearing in the suction feed gun.mixed the metal flake in the clear was a ******to get even but got there in the end,then finished in clear flatted and polished great job but needed sunglasses because it ******blinded me when the sun hit it.

[Hydrostream]

Nice! Got any pics Bren

[BREN]

i only got a couple but can't really make the metal flake out on them.it was different cloured metal flakes on a solid yellow base coat on the deck and mettalic blue base coat and clear on the hull all in 2k it looked really well but had a crap 25hp evinrude with a crank on its way out.i more or less rebuilt that boat new floor ,gel cracks repaired,re glassed bottom of hull after i accidentaly went through it with the angle grinder,got rid of that boat got a fletcher with no engine so got rid of that,got a ring 16 with mariner 75hp that was a totally orginal boat it was great,got rid of that and got my present ring 21 with efi bridgeport,all white when i got it with some repairs to gell cracks on deck,done badly.so ended up doing the prep and spraying the cockpit in silver basecoat and clear,and the deck red. again all done in 2k

[Gav]

Originally posted by BREN
i only got a couple but can't really make the metal flake out on them.it was different cloured metal flakes on a solid yellow base coat on the deck and mettalic blue base coat and clear on the hull all in 2k it looked really well but had a crap 25hp evinrude with a crank on its way out.i more or less rebuilt that boat new floor ,gel cracks repaired,re glassed bottom of hull after i accidentaly went through it with the angle grinder,got rid of that boat got a fletcher with no engine so got rid of that,got a ring 16 with mariner 75hp that was a totally orginal boat it was great,got rid of that and got my present ring 21 with efi bridgeport,all white when i got it with some repairs to gell cracks on deck,done badly.so ended up doing the prep and spraying the cockpit in silver basecoat and clear,and the deck red. again all done in 2k


You must have shares in 3M by now!!!!:drain: :drain:

[BREN]

:D

[Hydrostream]

Are on the way, Air Freight!!! Could be here by the end of the week! Also I've been sourcing the hardware for completed cowlings, found a source for the tiedowns and another for the beading.

Alan

[mike k]

Hydro what tiedowns are you using ?

[Hydrostream]

SS and rubber ones, the same as on the merc bridgeport cowlings.

[WAVEJUMPER]

Havent really been following this thread but spotted this on B&O if its of use to anyone:

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F52524/

[roofer]

i think you will find thats hydro's ad .