18...and I like it

[uncleboo]

I didn't paint or prime mine.

[Capt Terry]

I did not paint the bilge or transom fwd sheet after my transom rebuild. However as my project started I noticed the factory applied blue paint on the aft bilge area and transom fwd. sheet was mostly missing in the area of the outboards lower mount bolts. Then realized the brittle paint probably could not withstand the flexing of the weakened transom. So this is an additional clue, besides distortion of the transom cutout trim piece the transom was bad. In addition I rigged up some poor man proximity probes nearly touching the transom Then with jack stands under the trailer to take trailer springs out of the picture, I jumped up and down on the AV plate while my neighbor kid videoed the transom deflection.

[steel686]

Back on the trailer. Dropped off to the painter on Friday. Next picture should be one color. Didn’t make 4th of July but trying to keep the hammer down. Hope everyone here enjoyed their weekend.

[steel686]

Boat is primed and sanded as of yesterday. I had a bit of a hiccup with the first resource but I got some pictures last night then started the day with this. I don’t know what I believe about signs but this one brought a grin.

[steel686]

Went to see paint this morning. Installed some hardware for nonskid. Hoping to get it back midweek and start putting things back together. I’m sure it is fun to buy a new boat but....

[uncleboo]

Nice!

[steel686]

Barrier coated and first bottom paint. Loaded up some dummy weight to see how and if she still floats. I wanted to set initial waterline on the transom before hanging the motor. The ETEC 420 lbs will be another 24” back. Not exact but hopefully a good representation. Scuppers were about 2” above water where they used to be submerged.

[steel686]

Yahoo! Ready to go run down some stripers....alright, ready for the Albie Blitz..oh come on, it’s deer season? Three inches of snow melted in time to get a quick ride. Will follow up with some numbers. Two and a half long years. Ready to enjoy it with family.

[uncleboo]

Awesome! Looks great! No worries...we fish for stripers with ice on the deck. We look forward to deer season coming in so all the hunters will stay out of the water!

[steel686]

Pretty nice for the first week in November. Got to put a little time in. Really happy with the way it sits. Scuppers are just above waterline. I think I will still do Rabuds. I need to hook up GPS and get minimum plane speed but holds to around 2500. Didn’t get to max with family on board but feels pretty good with 4 blade Renegade prop. Throttle response in the middle is impressive. I had asked for 2” above keel for AV plate height but got about 1.25”. Will try to get numbers and ask for input on final setup.