So after much thought and research, I have decided to keep the cabin and keep it pretty close to original. However, I am going to be adding the shortest flotation bracket possible and a 300hp 4-Stroke Outboard. I have experience with Gelcoat and much more prefer it so that is the route that I will also be taking here throughout with a complete refit.
The bulkheads will need replacement but the deck and stringer system look to be solid as a rock. I will be installing a fuel tank below the cabin deck to shift the CoG forward as much as possible. The bulkhead (fore & aft of fuel tank compartment) replacements might actually give me the access I need to install the fuel tank and building myself out of that area (we shall see though). Not sure how I would install and strap a large 100 gallon tank without deck access. There will be a lot of unusable space below deck from going to an outboard and a lot of above deck space gained in the process so I would like to plan some in deck boxes/hatches for storage and maybe a livewell. However, careful placement of live vs. dead loads (coolers, seating, fuel, livewell etc.) is going to be my focus. I have thought about a ballast system but not quite sure how the installation of that would go.
With the majority of boating/fishing being out of the west coast of Florida, an Aquasport will be more readily used and my next finished project. However, when the kids get a little older and grow some sea legs, we will take it down to the keys for some week long stays in the spring/early summer and ill be able to run out offshore and catch some big ones.
Maybe even take it to the Bahamas following my brother in his 32 Stamas Express... and show him whos boss....LOL!
02-07-2022, 03:00 PM
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