Still moving along - the last of the FRP to block off compartments to the under-frame area are in. Basic templates for the casting deck and rear area are cut. Lines drawn on rear port/starboard templates for cutting the hatches once the main pieces are cut.

That hole in the rear template is for the underside of the Kingpin base...there will be another one cut in the casting-deck for the forward seat.

Looking awesome Ken. Great work there brother. Stoked for you to get her out on the water.

Mocking up the TM support...this will give me measurements to cut the 1/8" aluminum angles and sheets for the final 'unit'.

 

The front-end of the mount will actually rest on the bow-plate, so it will have full support. Shaft will be 2" from the center-nose of the plate...so lined up with the keel.

Excellent work Ken!!!

Getting deck pieces cut out. One sheet of plywood can fit one side of the casting deck (already cut out of this piece) and two to three other pieces. 'Faint' lines to the left are the borders for the rod-locker cover.

 

(Posted from my Galaxy A-51)

SB side of the casting deck set aside for now...still have to cut the hatches in it.

 

Remaining pieces from this sheet of plywood cut out, trimmed, sanded, and first coat of Varathane applied. Once the four coats (two each side) are dried, these will get carpeted

Floor

 

Rod locker cover and hatch

 

I also finished painting the cockpit vertical pieces and installed them with 1" #8 truss head self-tapping sheet metal screws into part of the aluminum frame...truss heads are pan-heads with built-in washers...all one piece

 

Only attached the fore and aft pieces - they hold in the port and starboard pieces. Also only screwed them in near the top as the floor will hold the bottom edges in position.

 

@J Francho

Since the only hole I drilled below the waterline was for the livewell fitting - which is a TH Marine item...I'm pretty sure it's safe.

 

Also - a basic calculation of the equipment I'm putting in - I'll still have almost 200lbs of 'excess' capacity with a full gas tank, full livewell, loaded storage and me in it...so ya...it'll have no problem floating.

 

Funny thing from Letterman though...thanks for the laugh, John.

17 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

these will get carpeted

What color carpet are you going to use?  I may have asked you this before already but I can't remember.

I'm doing a gray theme

Carpet is 'Slate' (sample pic from Menards web site)

Hull paint is Rust Oleum Enamel - Charcoal Gray

 - Exterior: Upper chine to gunwale; Interior: Outboard frame supports to gunwale

The vertical transitions in the cockpit (shown), rear deck-to-casting deck and casting deck-to-TM deck is Rust Oleum Ultra Cover (same I used on the canoe seats) in 'Stone Gray'

While it looks great in the pictures, it looks even better in person. Keep up the great work Ken.  The finish line is in sight!

Still moving along - starboard and port casting deck, rod locker cover, starboard rear storage cover.

 

Need to cut/size the hatches in the casting deck and size the hatches for the storage cover.

Floor, rod locker cover and hatch need one more coat of Varathane before I put on carpet.

Livewell cover and tank cover/seat base still need to be cut out.

 

Before I start securing deck pieces down, I need to finish filling holes, clean the inside section of the hull and paint.

 

On 5/4/2022 at 1:31 PM, MN Fisher said:

Mocking up the TM support...this will give me measurements to cut the 1/8" aluminum angles and sheets for the final 'unit'.

 

The front-end of the mount will actually rest on the bow-plate, so it will have full support. Shaft will be 2" from the center-nose of the plate...so lined up with the keel.

Having put Minn Kota Edge trolling motors on my last two boats, I see something that you may want to look into. I see that the leading edge of the trolling motor mount (the black plastic piece) is sitting back from the edge of the bow plate. I think when you raise the trolling motor, the lower unit will need to drag on the edge of the boat before it gets to the plastic piece.

 

On mine, even though it hangs over the edge a little, I wish I had made it stick out even a little further (maybe as much as 2" past the edge of the boat) than I did so it only hits the black plastic piece when I deploy/stow the TM.

4 hours ago, Big Hands said:

Having put Minn Kota Edge trolling motors on my last two boats, I see something that you may want to look into. I see that the leading edge of the trolling motor mount (the black plastic piece) is sitting back from the edge of the bow plate. I think when you raise the trolling motor, the lower unit will need to drag on the edge of the boat before it gets to the plastic piece.

 

On mine, even though it hangs over the edge a little, I wish I had made it stick out even a little further (maybe as much as 2" past the edge of the boat) than I did so it only hits the black plastic piece when I deploy/stow the TM.

I'll double check that before I lock things down...it's still a bit away.

 

Rate it's going...might be beginning of June before this beast is ready to launch.

15 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

I'll double check that before I lock things down...it's still a bit away.

 

Rate it's going...might be beginning of June before this beast is ready to launch.

Here's a couple shots of how mine sits. Whatever you do, I suggest that you mock it up and go through the deploy/stow movements before deciding. I don't love that it sticks out like it does, but I like even less that if I don't hold down on the back of the pedal as I stow it, it drags on the deck. Does it just a little when I deploy it too.

I'm doing about 5 things at once now...but some are 'hurry up and wait' (like being back in the Air Force)

 

Sealing - put a coat on something, wait 12 hours, repeat 3 time for each piece...though I can do 3-4 pieces at a time

 

Carpeting - put glue on piece, lay it on carpet, weigh it down, wait 24 hours, cut 2" around edges, staple to back...repeat for all pieces

 

Painting - prime, wait 8 hours, 2-3 coats of color with 8 hours between coats.

 

Cutting pieces - almost done here, just the hatches in the casting deck to finish then size...need a 7/16" gap to fit the carpet between pieces...like hatch covers

 

Looking for a main motor - might have found one at a local  Merc dealer, 1990 15hp short-shaft for under $1000

 

Anyway - floor is carpeted an in

 

(Posted from my Galaxy Tab-8)

21 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

floor is carpeted

Good color carpet!

Carpeted cover for rod locker is now in

Shows the contrast between the carpet and the hull paint color.

 

(posted from my Galaxy A-51)

Forward-bow area just got it's last coat of paint - once that dries I can mount/wire the bow lights...the holes you see near the prow are for the lights

I can even apply the Reg numbers and State Reg sticker - went far enough back for that.

 

I made an 'oopsie' earlier - hull color (interior and exterior) is Smoke Gray, not Charcoal Gray.

9 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

prow

I'm fairly knowledgeable about boat terms, but this was a new one.  Thanks!

Ken, She is looking absolutely amazing. You've done a great job! I love seeing older boats brought back to life. You should be proud.

4 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I'm fairly knowledgeable about boat terms, but this was a new one.  Thanks!

Comes from my sailing days - college G-Friend had a 24' Ketch she kept on Leech Lake and we'd take it out on weekends during open water.

Ya, I know how to handle a sailboat too - even took lessons years ago.

Your patience in this build is amazing. i would've hurried things up just to get it out there. Then be bummed out later for not doing it right the first time...you win!

Getting prepped to actually shoot a vid - lots of things I want to 'show off' about...but a teaser

 

Rod locker hatch is in, with lock.

 

 

Looking like she's coming along great! Nice...