Last night was a good night. I had a paint stencil made and Rooster set it up nice and straight on the bracket. Then we scuffed the surface with 180 grit, dusted, cleaned, and tacked off the surface so I could spray non-skid on the final piece of the puzzle. It came out really nice. The paint stencil was cut by Andrew Vercillo of Computersigns.net. Great job.
While we were waiting for the paint to set up so we could pull the tape, we put the registration numbers on the boat. Those were also cut by Andrew Vercillo of Computersigns.net. A little help from Rooster on getting them straight, and it looks great.
So this weekend I plan on assembleing the bracket to the transom of the boat and a few other rigging-type tasks in the boat as well. Stan and I will map out any defects that need to be worked on or touched up and I should be able to drag her home the following weekend. I can't wait.
Here's a few pics of today's exploits. This morning was the first time I have seen the boat outside in daylight. WOW! Its pretty amazing. This paint color really changes depending on the light that you see it in. I can appear as dark as flag blue or light and violet. Amazing color.
We started by dry fitting the bracket to the boat and checking all of the bolts and bolt holes. We taped off the bracket and the boat to catch excess sealer.
I had 4 bolts that didn't fit in the bracket due to build up of primer and paint in the hole. So I took care of that real quick.
I put a really generous bead of 3M 4200 (black) on the bracket. I made sure to put a good bead down low... where the original factory sealer had not made good contact with the boat and the bracket was leaking...
We mated the bracket to the boat. Stan, Rooster, Ryan, & Mr. George all held back-up while I made up the nuts on the inside of the transom... where I also neglected to get a picture of my aluminum I-beam backing set-up.
Needless to say, I am thrilled. The boat is looking great. Stan and I found a few small spots to touch up. He is going to do that this week and the boat should come home on Saturday. Very cool. Very nice work by Stan, Nate, & Rooster.
I spent most of the day dealing with little things that I wanted to do to get the boat ready to come home today. I put in the fuel fill and vent, installed a few things with sealer that hadn't been sealed and etc. I worked on a walnut base for the leaning post a little while. I have the touch a few spots up, and I can permanently install the leaning post.
We had some odds and ends to put back on the trailer, lights and guide polls. After a phenominal jambalaya lunch cooked by Mr. George, we knocked those things out and I was able to get on the road.
All week long I had been jokeing about how I was going to scratch the hull somewhere so I could get over it and move on with life... After 90 miles on the road I was coming into Slidell, I said to myself how uneventful the trip had been... I was 5 miles from home and I noticed the starboard brake light come off the bole and started smacking the side of the hull. I slowed to 40 mph (remember, I'm on I-10) but I couldn't get off due to construction. So I had to sit there and watch this happen for 2 more miles. So now the boat is broken in with some nice dings. I have already talked to Stan and he is coming out to the house next weekend to take care of them for me. He will make them disappear... I have complete confidence.
I gathered myself together and pulled the motors out of the garage. I made a template for some rubber gasket material to go between the bracket and the motor. I got the motors hung by myself. No more damages... The boat looks great. I hope to find some help to put the t-top on Sunday (today).
Update!!!!!
We got the T-top on last night. Big thanks to Dan, Mark, and Trey for their help. Couldn't have done it without them. Only 1 scratch on the console from a previously undetected bur on a mounting flang of the T-top. I ran my hand over all of them, but obviously missed a small spot.
I think it looks great. I'll put the windshield on Tuesday evening when I get home. In a few weeks I'll be taking it out to Caldwell Fab. for him to build in some rear supports that will come down to the top of the leaning post. There will be a few rod holders on each side of those as well.
I have lots still to do to this T-top... antennae, outrigger bases, & radar tower. I really like it! Sorry about the picture quality... I usually leave the house before 1st light. I tried to hang around as long as I could this morning to get some better light.
Linear Mode
