1976 18' almost done
 

A few more things to do and she is finished

I really like your rig, nicely done. Love the 18's.

Manning...looks great...nice and clean..
Questions?
What is the round stainless hole bracket behind the bow light??? a removable accessory holder of some kind???
Also, are you going to put on a bow rail.?..I was thinking I should put a bow rail on mine for safety but yours looks so sleek and clean without!
Is the tubing around the windshield a stock item too??
Also...what type of fuel vent did you use as well as fuel fill??
Thanks for sharing pictures...but we need more!!!!!
Fred

The 1973 23' CC that I used to have had the same socket on the bow,It was used for an anchor light.

Fred,

The round peice behind the bow light is the original anchor light bracket. I had it re-wired as I have the original light which is pretty neat. I have attached pictures of the fill and vent. I got the fill at West Marine but the vent was ordered by the mechanic, it's a fush mount model. The fill didn't fit exactly right as part of the mounting holes, which I should have had patched, stuck out from the new one. The SS railing on the console is original, we just cleaned it up a little. When the boat is done I will try and measure the windshield for you. I also attached a picture of the wiring and boot under the console.
Manning

Frd

Here is where he mounted the Perko, again on a raised piece of composite (he did not mount the onboard charger which is upside down, why?).
Then the fuel/cable set up. There is plug for the charger in the foreground and the plug in back is for the troll motor mounted on the motor (good for speck fishing).

We need the new motor decals, the registration numbers and the transom splashwell. I had the original painted but I am thinking of making a fold down one that takes up less space out of starboard. I kept the low profile bow rails but probabaly will not put them back on.

Manning

Picture of boat with bow rail and the other is the transom splaswell cover. I think I will keep them but not put them on for now.

looks good i also had the splashwell in my boat but opted not to use it if you go to page 8 of the photos you will see my resto job

Manning...great pictures...helps me out considerably...makes me realize how many original parts etc I am missing!!!
Rickg...great photobucket pics ..I remembering looking at them when I had just purchased my Tsunami. I need to drop by and check your 18 out!
-Fred

Gosh darnit...I wish I had more time and money! It looks awsome! Great job.

Manning-
More questions--
Where did you get your nice steering wheel and throttle/shift cables?
Also what length did you use for throttle shift cables?
Thanks for all info!!
-Fred

Forgot to ask....Also is the steering wheel 13" or 15" diameter
Thanks again for all your help
When is boat coming home to you?
-Fred

Response to Fred
 

Fred

The steering wheel is a 13". I have the original 15" but it was too big for my liking. The cables were ordered by the mechanic. I had brought him the old cables so he could measure them but he said he would measure them himself and get the exact size he wanted. I will ask him the lenghts and get back to you. In 2004 I replaced them and they were too long for my liking. I think he can order them to specific lenghts. This guy is very meticulous about everything he does.

The boat is in town in a warehouse but I am waiting for the weather to get right so I can take it back to the fiberglass guy. When we took the bow rail off I asked him to patch the holes but we all missed it until it was going back together.

You probably already know this but if you pull the console leave the 4 corner holes so you can it back in the original spot. Fill the others and redrill afterward.

One thing we did was patch the original hole where the cabling comes out in the transom and cut a new one higher. I have been fishing this boat for 31 years and there is some truth to the boat being "wet" in the back. The water get in from 3 places; either the inspection plate at the transom or it seeps under the splash well and goes into the rear well on the floor or it goes in near the cabling. My2 cents, take care. Manning

Fred, i forgot to tell you I took the new windshield off so the fiberglass guy could patch some holes on the console. I will measure it this weekend. I think UPD Plastics has a form you have to fill out to order one if they don't have the mold so I will try and use that. You might want to take a peek at it on their website. All that said I would use their product. Even my mechaic was impressed with the fit and quality. Thanks, Manning

Manning,
Great..I will wait on cable info........
Thanks for all of the great info./advice. I really appreciate it and I am sure others do as well.
I will def. keep that in mind regarding the console screws! UPD will more than likely me my route too!
Wow!! 31 years......Hope my son keeps his boat 30 plus years as well...I will hopefully be around too..!!
-Fred

Great looking rig!

my 20 has that same bow fitting you say id for the oem anchor light, I wonder why they would install a anchor light on the bow or did you guys meen a bow light?
http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/y...t/photo-11.jpg

Anchor Light is for safety
 

Being from Louisiana I would think it was placed there because we put the drink box in front of the console and the fish box behind the console. Sometimes we fish at night and we don't want to trip going for a beverage.
My 2 cents

T-MAN Back in Business
 

A couple of pictures from this weekend. Will bring better camera next weekend.

Hey...the third picture is really sweet!! You have to be proud!! Looks great :)

That's a sweet lookin little rig.
Dave

She looks young again Manning, can't wait to get mine ! how thick is the starboard you used for the splash well ? can you tilt the motor all the way up with the hinged upper portion of the splash well folded down ?

Manning very very nice....I will mail you an Ole Miss shirt (my alma mater)...dont want that Southern Miss shirt to cramp your style ...especially while you are on your Seacraft:D.. just kidding..
Question--What are you planning for seats....are you going with a cooler seat, leaning post or capt. chairs??
Those Mercury Decals look sharp!
-Fred

Looks great. BTW, thanks for eliminating my sleep tonight! :) One day, one day.......

Boat seating
 

Fred

Going to use a 94 quart Igloo Marine. Ordered Yeti chocks which came in today. 60% the price of the new rubber Igloo ones and better design. Even ordered a Igloo seat cushion....haven't had a cushion in the boat since the '80's....the women should be excited!

I was thinking of a leaning post but doesn't work cause I like fish box in back and it takes up too much room.

Manning

"the women should be excited!"

Now if you want to REALLY go over the edge into the dark abyss of making women excited........


http://www.cabelas.com/showers-toilets-accessories-luggable-loo-bucket-lid-toilet-seat-1.shtml?WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z _mc_id1=713828&rid=40&mr:trackingCode=4B16DE51-F5D2-DF11-82EF-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad= 5855053104&mr:keyword={keyword}

Yowza......not too sure about that link!! Try this one.

http://compare.ebay.com/like/280593614695

Manning...good idea with cooler seat..I am going that route too!

Don..that is a nice accessory...might spoil the women though!

-Fred

Manning,
That's a sweet rig you've got there. Perfect for fishing trout and reds in the bay. It looks like you are docked at the Point in some of your pictures. My family has a camp out there and I've got a 20' seacraft. I might stop by one day and introduce myself. I would like to check out your boat especially the windshield. I think we have the same consoles. I need to have a windshield made and the stainless pipe frame that surrounds it. Thanks -Will