Help with '75 18 ft Seacraft project

[Fr. Frank]

no such thing as a stupid question . . . only stupid mistakes!

Yeah. Usually caused by not asking questions in the 1st place.

Regarding trim tabs, I use them primarily for lateral (side-to-side trim). A deep-V will tend to lean into the wind; the wind blows you off course, so when you crank in some rudder to correct, boat will roll in the direction you turn the helm. When you lay a deep-V on it's side, it's NOT a deep V anymore! When waves are coming at you at some angle off the bow, rolling the boat just a few degrees AWAY from the waves with the trim tabs increases your deadrise relative to the waves and will create a big improvement in the ride!

...Also if you're stern heavy, a 4 blade prop will also give you some stern lift.

Excellent advice!!

[adamcannon]

Thanks for answering all my questions. I found the cable clam fittings and also found a few rigging tube kits. I need to get one of those even if I get the tube welded into the bracket so I can use it thru the transom.

As for using balsa core instead of penski board......I am pretty set on using the composite just because I know I will never have to worry about anything after that. I helped my dad redo his skiff a few years back and he used the composite. It is some of the easiest material to work with and as soon as you glass it, it is there for life. I know it might sound like I'm hard headed on this part of it, but peace of mind goes a long way. It is very very light weight as well. Anything I can do to make the boat a little lighter (especially in the stern) the better. Anyway, thanks for all the input so far.

[adamcannon]

I saw some bottom paint remover in west marine the other day and I was wondering if anyone had ever used any of this before. It says it won't harm the gelcoat. Also can anyone tell me what the best thing to get to clean some oxidation on my aluminum t-top. I want to try and make it shiny again. Thanks.

[fishhuntNC]

Who would have thought echs class of 2000 would have two seacraft fans

[adamcannon]

Whats up Tyler. Yeah I bought a seacraft and am in the middle of redoing everything. You will have to come take a look at it sometime.

[fishhuntNC]

Hey man were did you get the penske board and let me know what your doing about the live well.I'm thinking of getting rid of my livewell too its a pain in the ***.Dad had an 18 when I was a kid had lots of fun in it.

[adamcannon]

I am not putting the live well back into the floor. I might put one in the seat in front of the console or a small one in the new full transom. Not sure if I put it in the transom it might add to much weight right in the stern. My brother-in-law ordered the penski board for me from somewhere, I'm not sure. What size motor did your dads have on it. I am trying to decide what I need to look for.