Hey all,
I grew up skiing behind a 16' Mark Twain tri hull with a 65hp Mercury outboard and we had several different flat bottom fishing boats, but this is my first boat owned as an adult. Needless to say, our family is VERY excited to start using it!
The boat is equipped with a brand new ship to shore radio and we will be using the craft on Lake Macatawa which directly connects to Lake Michigan, so we will use it intermittently on big, open water (but only when pretty calm).
Couple of general questions.....
1. I already have a couple of fire extinguishers on board (one in the engine compartment and one below passenger dash) and an air horn in the glove box, what other safety items should I keep on board (not counting life preservers)?
2. What kind of ropes do you like to use to tie up to a dock with? I'm guessing one for the bow and one for the stern?
3. The interior of the boat was completely re-done several years ago, but the cover over the engine compartment doesn't have anything holding it closed, so its likely to fly open particularly when trailering. The previous owner just used a ratchet tie-down to keep it closed during trailering, but I'd prefer to have something more permanent and aesthetic. Suggestions?
4. Along that same vein, the seat cushions for the driver and passenger chairs and for the bow area aren't anchored in place either. I was thinking of using some wide velcro on the bottom. Suggestions?
5. I need a couple of transom tie-downs for trailering. Again, the previous owner just used a standard ratchet tie-down. I love a ratchet as much as the next guy, but I'd like to use specific transom tie-downs for this job. Is there a brand/type you guys like?
6. I've ordered a manual for the motor (Mercruiser Alpha One 230hp V8) from Mercury and a boat manual from Chris Craft. Can someone direct me to a good reference/resource for general boat/motor care (winterizing, etc)?
Future plans: Probably this winter, I will remove all the Teak trim pieces from the boat and sand/stain/refinish them. I think I might also take a heat gun and remove some of the damaged vinyl graphics/stripes on the boat. At some point in the not too distant future, I think I'm going to have to replace the floor. When messing around in the floor storage area this morning, I discovered the the bottom of the floor around the periphery of the storage area was damp and soft. It doesn't feel soft or spongy from above, but obviously its just a matter of time. I'm not sure why it feels damp because the previous owner kept the boat in his garage and hadn't used the boat recently.
Below are some pics.....feel free to comment and make suggestions!
Thanks!
Chris
I grew up skiing behind a 16' Mark Twain tri hull with a 65hp Mercury outboard and we had several different flat bottom fishing boats, but this is my first boat owned as an adult. Needless to say, our family is VERY excited to start using it!
The boat is equipped with a brand new ship to shore radio and we will be using the craft on Lake Macatawa which directly connects to Lake Michigan, so we will use it intermittently on big, open water (but only when pretty calm).
Couple of general questions.....
1. I already have a couple of fire extinguishers on board (one in the engine compartment and one below passenger dash) and an air horn in the glove box, what other safety items should I keep on board (not counting life preservers)?
2. What kind of ropes do you like to use to tie up to a dock with? I'm guessing one for the bow and one for the stern?
3. The interior of the boat was completely re-done several years ago, but the cover over the engine compartment doesn't have anything holding it closed, so its likely to fly open particularly when trailering. The previous owner just used a ratchet tie-down to keep it closed during trailering, but I'd prefer to have something more permanent and aesthetic. Suggestions?
4. Along that same vein, the seat cushions for the driver and passenger chairs and for the bow area aren't anchored in place either. I was thinking of using some wide velcro on the bottom. Suggestions?
5. I need a couple of transom tie-downs for trailering. Again, the previous owner just used a standard ratchet tie-down. I love a ratchet as much as the next guy, but I'd like to use specific transom tie-downs for this job. Is there a brand/type you guys like?
6. I've ordered a manual for the motor (Mercruiser Alpha One 230hp V8) from Mercury and a boat manual from Chris Craft. Can someone direct me to a good reference/resource for general boat/motor care (winterizing, etc)?
Future plans: Probably this winter, I will remove all the Teak trim pieces from the boat and sand/stain/refinish them. I think I might also take a heat gun and remove some of the damaged vinyl graphics/stripes on the boat. At some point in the not too distant future, I think I'm going to have to replace the floor. When messing around in the floor storage area this morning, I discovered the the bottom of the floor around the periphery of the storage area was damp and soft. It doesn't feel soft or spongy from above, but obviously its just a matter of time. I'm not sure why it feels damp because the previous owner kept the boat in his garage and hadn't used the boat recently.
Below are some pics.....feel free to comment and make suggestions!
Thanks!
Chris