Re: jumping in
Thanks for the props guys. I went to look at her on a whim and after riding on my friend's sf a few times. The boat looked so damn nice in the driveway and the guy who had her was such a standup guy, I couldn't resist. She fished Montauk for a long time-the guy I bought her from got her from his father in law, who had the boat for something like twenty years. He did a repower with a 5.7 Mercruiser about five years ago and that's when that pretty paint went on, I believe. The boat cruises at about thirty mph at 3000 rpms. I put a monitor in this winter so I can find the sweet spot because I think this motor has a little more juice than it's been letting on.
It still had lots of old stuff on it and I will update things slowly. I pulled out three transducers this winter and about 200 feet of extinct wire-no exaggeration. I wanted to get her to the point where everything on the boat serves a purpose! I believe that's what they call ship-shape [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] The deck is like a rock, but a few of the hatches need work. I just did the big storage well hatch with nidacore and am about to tackle the fuel inspection hatch. Gave me a chance to look at the tank, which looks ok. There is no foam in there and the hoses look fairly new. The tank had a little bit of pitting on top, but I think it's ok. The sides look fine. With the seats removed, I am tempted to go with a post, but funds and caution are holding me back. I have a nagging suspicion that a post would give me some problems when I want to get the engine hatch all the way open. The helm seats now are sliders and can come almost all the way to the console.
Latest project was wiring red leds under the gunwale-I like the spreaders but don't want everyoneknowing my business when a fat striper is coming over the rail at night. The red leds give you a great footing surface-my girl likes em too!
The biggest question in my head now is what to do about non-skid for this year. It's been painted, so I'm locked in a little. I'm thinking of just rolling awlgrip on the patterned areas, then going with an additive. I've seen some guys doing the rubber stuff,but I'd be a little spooked about not knowing when things are starting to happen on the deck, i.e. stress cracks, etc.
I'm just looking to have some fun with it, but I can see how the projects can take hold of one.
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