What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this year?

[dvx216]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

Bellows shift cable water pump changed lower unit oil and redid brakes on trailer all done. New battery trays replaced two year old Duralast Auto zone battery never buy a battery from them again. All that's left is oil change in motor buff and wax.

 

[Buh-Bye]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

Took it out of storage today. Gave her a good wash and wax, fired her up on muffs and let her run for a little bit while I put all the gear back in for the season. Would like to change the lower unit oil and impeller before I take her out but may be tempted for a quick cruise befoe then unless I can get that done tomorrow. I have not done either of those before. I don't think the lower unit oil will be bad...more concerned about making sure I can properly change the impeller.

 

[gpfishingdude]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

Packed away the cover for the pontoon boat and set it up with the batteries and the triple charger. I had some problems with the depth finder at the end of last season so I have the transducer mounted on the trolling motor now. So I decided to build a surface to mount the head unit at the front of the boat too and power it from the trolling motor battery. I will be able to watch the depth finder from a front seat while fishing now. Setting up the center consol starcraft now, batteries and charger and trolling motor. The only problem I have found so far is fuel dripping after hooking up the fuel hose and squeezing the bulb. Should have one of the boats in the water within a week or so.

 

[Mel Taylor]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

We don't really have a "can't launch the boat at all because of the cold weather season" here. BUT, there are three or four winter months when only the hardiest and most dedicated fishermen and boaters care to brave the 40s and 50s daytime temps (usually with at least some wind) just for a chance to be on the lakes.

Last spring I bought a 1982, 16', Blue Fin tinnie which was in good shape overall, but needed some TLC. I did little more than mount my '95, 30 horse, tiller steered, Evinrude and my '96 bow mount MinnKota trolling motor and pretty much used it as it was while I planned what to do next. It was obvious that it had been left out in the open, probably with the plug in it, for extended periods of time. It had a plywood floor that had some water damage but was still plenty strong and serviceable and a casting deck up front which someone had butchered in an effort to make more storage. This is strictly a fishing boat and esthetics are really secondary, so over the past few months, I sanded and painted the floor with industrial grade alkyd enamel and rebuilt the casting deck by strengthening what was already there and adding a layer of reclaimed exterior plywood. My son-in-law made a built in box for the battery from exterior plywood. I did some mods to the trailer to make it easier to load by changing the winch and adding guides along with an extra keel roller. I also rewired it and added LED tail lights along with new tires. I may still need to do a little more work on the guides to bring them in closer to the sides of the boat.

I first launched this spring in mid March and have had three or four day trips since then. So far everything is working as expected, and I'm much happier with this boat than I was with the '84, 14 foot, Mirrocraft it replaced,

The funny part is that although the plywood on the floor still looks rough (or should I say rustic?) and shows surface cracks and various dings in the top layer of wood, somehow, now that it is painted those defects seem to add character rather than detracting from overall appearance.

Oh yeah, Was a little worried about the possibility of water getting into the lower unit so I changed the lower unit oil. Drained it into a glass jar and other than being a little blacker than I would have liked it was OK. No sign of water intrusion at all.

Now for some horizontal rod holders............

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

Never winterize.. always ready for crabbing!!!

 

[nickcunn]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

I have restored all interior, floors, carpet, built a bench seat,

Replaced motor,
new vinyl on 2 new homemade seats,
new tires and wheels or trailer.

Now waiting on Ga registration to come in, and now just to sand and paint trailer, and register it.

 

[ricohman]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

First launch?
Well, not soon seeing as its still snowing and there is 4 feet of ice on the lake. I may bring the boat out of storage in a couple of weeks though.

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

New electrical and fuel, for old out board, made quick release for fishing boat, and pontoon for trolling motor, and asked a hole bunch of questions. Been out three times, no fish!

 

[masongardner]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

Already been out twice this year. We are newbie wakesurfers with a direct drive boat so we figured we needed all the time we can get. First time out was about 75 air temp and 40 water temp, gotta love Colorado! This last Friday was 80 air temp and 51 water, so getting better. Wetsuit both times obviously. I just want it warm so we can play with our in the making homeade surfgate and we can start riding wireless more. 10 secs or so is the best we have so far! COME ON SUMMER!!!

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

first launch was a couple weeks ago for the afternoon - wanted to make sure that I still had my gimble bearing issues (haha like it was going to go away over the winter!!!)

completed over the wintery spring - buffed out the boat and rewaxed, cleaned all the vinyl interior, carpet cleaned

in the middle of a bellows job right now (everything taken off/out today - hoping to re install this week). after that I would like to clean/repack my hubs as they haven't been done in years (looks like I have a small leak in the bearing buddy on the port side.

If I am feeling frisky, I am going to pull the top of the back seat to have it re done (small crack in it that has grown over the years)

 

[Susquehanna Squid]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

New stereo, Rockford Fosgate amp, new speakers, washed and waxed, all fluids changed, torqued all nuts, bolts, and screws.......... now just waiting for the right moment! I am hoping to be on the water in 2 weeks. Fingers crossed!

 

[bezerk1]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

Hey FabuglasRiverSwine, do you boat at Lake Augusta or whatever they call it around Sunbury? I've never seen a boat on the water from any of the roads that overlook it. I once looked at a depth chart of the lake and it kind of scared me. There is a lot of shallow water there. Also, if I remember correctly there were a lot of hazards in the water like pipes, water intakes, and rock formations. Is that true? What's the deal with that place. I'm located around the Bloomsburg area. I do all of my boating at Beltzville.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

Adding GPS and sonar transducer. Hope to launch right after Mother's Day. Spent all of last season getting the engine right, so I'm chomping at the bit to get started this year!

 

[calvinator]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

Putting a 150HP on my Pontoon !



AND, getting over the dents on my pontoon where someone at the marina hit me. See dents on right rear of pontoon.... grrrr.

 

[Dave0549jv]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

I've got some minor gelcoat repair to do, and a bilge pump to replace. Mechanic is going to replace my port side shift cable. I'm going to take off a bunch of my old bottom paint, smooth it out and throw on some new ablative stuff. Of course the good ol' fashion wash and wax. It's gonna be a busy couple of weeks.

EDIT: I almost forgot, I ordered some adhesive mats from Seadek for my swim platform. I'll have to stick those on too.

 

[seilings]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

My plan is to install a through way door under the windshield.
Last year we had some times that kids felt so cold on the way back to dock, so I need to put on the bow cover.
Figure a through way door would do that.

 

[jackr800000]

Re: What needs to be done? What have you done so far? When is the first launch this y

Fall 2013
Purchase boat (was stored for 8 years)
120 Mercruiser , 18' Tempest Marine, Ski boat


-Remove anti-siphon, siphon gas tank, reinstall anti-siphon
-Fill 3/4 full hi-test
-Install new battery
-Re-wire trailer lights
-Install new horn
-Run engine on muffs
-Test run @ Rice Lake, backfires a few times, would not restart with hot coil, started ok after 15 minutes. Motor revs higher than 4300 WOT recommendation
-Install new coil
-Install new spark plugs
-Test run @ Rice Lake, still backfires a few times, restarts ok now.
-Winterize


Spring 2014


-Run on muffs
-Buff and wax boat
-Remove wood from boat, sand, urethane, reinstall
-Scrape and paint trailer
-Remove transducer wire from intake, drill through transom, reinstall wire
-Install air intake ducting to bilge
-Replace blower motor
-Re-wire trim limit switch
-Install new vHF and whip
-Remove 15.25 x 15 prop, install new 15 x 17 prop
-Install new battery box
-Make new carpetted panels for back, to direct fresh air to bilge, quiet motor, protect / hide gizzards
-Repair bilge pump
-Set dwell angle to 34 (28 to 34 recommended) (was at 21)
-Set timing to 8 BTDC (8 recommended for 89+ octane, 6 for crap gas) (was at 12BTDC)
-Repair scratches and chips on bottom of boat with gelcoat repair
-Test run @ Lake Ontario (port Hope to Cobourg and back), no backfire, WOT revs still a little high (4500), but will settle down with a full tank, and a couple passengers. Motor a lot more quiet, happy with new prop, planes-out easily with cleaner looking wake. Now its ready