I Need A Shrink !

[strick]

Sean- Chuck and I have been trading e mails for some time but I've only had the chance to meet him once when we were both fishing near the GG bridge several years ago. We both recognized each others boats and stopped to chat for a bit. Did he get his new Suzuki all dialed in?


I figured I may as well post something since it's been several weeks. I've been waiting on stuff and depression sets in when promises are made and not kept. My fuel tanks are being held hostage by the welder. I dropped them off two and a half months ago and they are still not ready despite my lighting a fire under his a$$. The window gasket material that was supposed to be over nighted is still not here and it's been 3 weeks since I ordered it. I hate depending on other people to do things for me but you cant do everything your self.

Sea cock and thru hull pick up are installed










The hull is nearly 7/8 inch thick back here




These plastic inserts fit into the tops of the rocket launchers




Most of the work I've accomplished over the past two weeks has been on the trailer. The trailer for this boat was in fairly good shape but it needed some regular maintenance. I brought it to my mechanic and had him do it up for me. New receiver, master cylinder, brake lines, and brakes. After that I was able to get it home and get going on it.

The bunks were in bad shape so I replaced those. Pressure treated 2x6 with new carpet.





I put the trailer on jacks and took a wire wheel and orbital sander to the whole thing.









The two trailer guides in the back of the trailer were rusted out and one was broken. This was because holes were drilled in these for padding but no drain holes were in place so water just filled the pipes and they rusted out.



My neighbor is retired and he can weld so I had him make some new rear guides.





New paint. This is Kelly Moore dura poxy. $30 per gallon which almost free when you calculate everything you spend on one of these boat restorations. It's not actually and epoxy based paint. It's water based but they told me it gets hard like an epoxy hence the name. epoxy based products are not UV stable and will yellow over time.








The bunks are fastened with galvanized bolts that are counter sunk into the 2x6. I cut the carpet so I could do this. The other option was to simply use lag screws from the bottom up but those will work loose over time. I did not want to have to worry about that. After everything was tightened down I covered the tops of the bolt heads with boat life caulk and then re stapled the carpet back in place.



Here is the trailer 99% complete. New wiring, lights, winch, rollers and few other goodies that I cant remember right now. I still have to get some new tires for it. After that I can put the boat back on the trailer and hopefully I'll get my second wind.





Our faithful cat Stinker with his best friend.



strick

[SBD]

Did he get his new Suzuki all dialed in?

Yes he did. It runs amazing. We broke it in with salmon and snails...

[strick]

Looks like you reaped the bounty on that trip. Were do you launch out of? I keep getting invited to go to Albion for snails. Some friends of ours camp there every year.

strick

[BigLew]

Call me stupid or naive, but those snails look like something out of Capt. Nemo's Lab or maybe the genetics labs of some of the pharmaceutical genetic mutation labs!

Just how BIG are those things?

[BigLew]

Hey Strick,

There is a picture of your hull that looks like it is not the normal longitudinal panel of the VDR hull, but rather a more conventional chine configuration. Do you have any comment. Was this peculiar to the 25' hull version. I am trying to copy the picture I am talking about below.

Well, I can't seem to paste it in here, so I'll go back and identify the shot is my another posting here in a minute.

[BigLew]

The pictures I am referring to are the 10th, 11th and 12th in your 5/22/10 posting showing your painting of the hull and boot stripe.

[Basspond]

Call me stupid or naive, but those snails look like something out of Capt. Nemo's Lab or maybe the genetics labs of some of the pharmaceutical genetic mutation labs!

Just how BIG are those things?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but those snails are abalone, hence the large size.

[SBD]

Yep abalone...big snails. Minimum size is 7", nice is 8, big is nine, 10 is trophy.

We launched out of Noyo, but we go to ALbion a lot, its close to us.

[strick]

The steps start out the same as you would see on the 20 and 23 hulls however as they near the bow the last couple feet of the steps take on a reverse chine before they fade out. All the 25's have this same configuration.

strick

[thehermit]

Strick,

What is that pump on the thru hull? Will you use the same fitting to feed a washdown or is that a washdown/baitwell pump?

OK now load that 'grey lady' up and get us an outside picture! Nice work....heres to getting your parts soon