---

Now that winter has been in full swing awhile have you been getting those winter maint - projects completed?? Luckily, having a winter cover which makes those projects fairly easy for me. I'm able to get inside the boat and work without having to deal directly with the elements.

I discovered 1 of my 4 batteries on the boat won't hold a charge over 10 volts so, that will be replaced in April. It has lasted 6 years...
I actually did a pretty good job refinishing my teak this year. I sanded it, versus using the chemicals and the results were great. I didn't realize how bad it really was until I started sanding. Wow, what a difference...
Buffed out the hull (I do this every year) with 3M finesse, and I will wax in a couple days. Looks great. If you haven't buffed out your hull, I suggest you do this with a high speed buffer and a 3M liquid polish. The results are great and your hull will look new!!
Tightened up some screws, topped off oil tanks, and cleaned out the transom storage area.

I plan to polish all the metal work this week and wax the hull and I should be done. Can't wait for April Rockfish/Striper fishing!!!

---

I took a look back at the earlier thread to see how far I got on my list.
Winter Projects

Done:
1. purchase and install the fly top / side curtains / windshield <- had to purchase a new forward shelter canvas that awaits install.

2. install the sun top <- once new forward shelter is installed and fly top position set, this will be a matter of swaping tracks.

3. chip away the wooden strakes attached to the hull bottom <- Done, that has added gelcoat repairs to the list and possibly pushed up the bottom paint removal.


Not Done; Not Started :)

1. add hinges to the anchor locker cause it hurts when you drop it. <- Will order the hinges this week and at least get them closer to the boat

2. Finish the remaining teak pieces on the boat (dash panels & sump cover) <- I plan to recess the gauge panels the same way the door frames are recessed. I realized that having 3/4 gauge panels puts the gauges out away from the console just a bit far to easily see them. It's amazing how much the view changes by 1/4 or 1/2 an inch.


Of course this was all pushed back by the addition of the 13 project boat, nicknamed Animal Boat due to the multiple nests of black ants both under the rubrail and in some of the open holes.

---

Mike,

Here's my list from an earlier thread on the same subject:

1. Add an on board battery charger complete

2. Replace the Perko battery switch with the BEP switch/VSR combination (I need to replace the circuit breaker at the starboard aft corner of the boat at the same time) complete

3. Install the Northstar fuel flow meter (still need to calibrate) almost complete

4. Remove the aftermarket stern light, patch the hole, install a stern light on the t-top (I will probably use a stainless plate to patch the hole for now, but would like to attempt a patch of the non-skid some day) complete

5. Remove the aftermarket bow light (currently installed on the t-top), install aftermarket bow lights in their original locations. I installed a fold down stern light at this location complete

6. Replace the dome light above the console with a red/white combination dome light (located under the t-top mounted electronics box) complete

7. Wax the boat inside and out (should be quick as the entire boat was wet sanded the winter before last) incomplete

8. Add two more keel rollers to the boat trailer (last two, really) incomplete

9. Install a frame mounted walking board to the boat trailer (my frame walking balance is not what it use to be) complete

10. Install the new to me teak console door (it is an OE door from a Super console , I bought by accident, I may sell it) incomplete

11. Add breakaway and hinge pins to the t-top so I can fold it over to make it faster and easier to get the boat into the warm shop (I usually store it in the carport- I can get the boat in the shop but that entails removing the antennas, and the wheels, then lowering the trailer axles onto dollies- not convenient or quick)- I ordered and received most of the parts, some are backordered, should receive this week. This project may wait until next winter. It will be a little scary cutting up my t-top stanchions incomplete

Additionally:

I had work done to the t-top canvas. I had wear strips sown into the bottom side of the canvas and had the front curtain clear section replaced (I had to, 16 degree morning broke it a couple of weeks ago). While I had the canvas off, I Woody Waxed the t-top metal (didn't help the looks to much, needs powder coat at this point).

While I had all that torn off, I replaced the VHF antenna and mount. The antenna had been broken 2 time at least. I replaced the crappy plastic ratchet antenna mount with the nice stainless unit.

While working on the t-top, I noticed that the t-top to console mounting points did not have backing plates. I could have sworn that there were backing plates in there. Anyhoooo, backing plates with machine bolts, through bolted to everything makes me feel better about the t-top anchorage.

I am very fortunate that I can back the boat into the shop. I can get it to 60 degrees in there without too much trouble. It is real easy to get enthusiastic about working on projects in a comfortable setting.

Doug

---

You guys are killing me!

I have spent most of my time helping others with their projects. I am still waiting for the first indication that it will stop dumping snow every other day! I think by March 1, I will be too annoyed and will get them started. Oooohhh that Punxsutawney Phil! If I had 5 minutes alone with him, pow! right in the kisser!

---

I looked for that earlier thread before starting this one and I couldn't find it. Sounds like you guys have some work to do! Wow. Its amazing how once you start a particular project on equipment or repair you find other needed repairs in the same area. It never really ends but I enjoy the finished work.

Doug,

After reading your post, you started another project for me, the trailer mounted walking board. That is a great idea, and I typically don't think about it until I'm loading the boat. Do you have any photos of yours? so I can get an idea of how to install one??

CBO,

No snow here yet sorry to here you have so much of it. Get those friends to help you out...Oh, that groundhog is a pain. Good luck, I hope you thaw out quick.

---

I agree with Mike, Doug got any photo's, plans even? I usually think about it when a$$ hits the pavement on the local ramp. My only consolation is, there aren't many folks that use the ramp so I don't have many witnesses.

---

Doug, I'm also interested in the hinged T-Top system. Please keep us posted on this also. Thanks

---

Done: Installed Bimini Top
Installed new GPS/Fish Finder
Applied 4 coats of Zspar Captains Varnish after removing wood
Applied 4 coats of teflon polish to interior after much needed cleaning
Installed new drain tubes
Bought new trailer on ebay for less than $500

Still to do: Apply 4 more coats of varnish
Install new bow light, ran into a problem with fit on one
I purchased and am hoping to return to the seller
Re-install interior
Couple gel coat repairs
Wash and wax hull and adjust on new trailer

Hopefully be done with all by launch in April

---

Mike and Kamie,

Check my personal page. I have one shot of it there. I can take more pictures if you need more detail.

Doug

---

Thanks Doug,
How did you secure it to the trailer? The more I look, the more I realize, I need one right down the center and I probably need to lengthen the tongue, especially if water levels keep dropping or I keep wanting to pull the boat at dead low tide. Where I get stuck is walking out to secure the winch strap to the bow eye. Lengthening the trailer tongue opens an entirely different set of issues.

---

If I could get my drain tubes done, and my water pump replaced, I'd be "good to go" it was 12*F here yesterday with 20 knot winds, is spring ever gonna get here ? I was at the Boat show on L.I. last weekend, a friend of mine said that many of these boat's are over priced a "Formula" was $210,000 he showed me a "Regal" (I think) for $57,000, and said it's the same boat for the money (I pointed out less the counter rotating prop's). The salesman appeared and picked up on the (Same boat issue my friend was talking about) he asked "What kind of boat do you guys have" my friend said "Rinker", I said "Whaler", the salesman turned and talked to him, NOT ME ! LOL !
mw

---

Doug,

Thanks, the photo has given me an idea. Thanks, Mike.

---

The salesman figured the first question you would ask would be "does this one sink" and in front of your friend he would have to dance around it. Either that or you were just one of those hopeless whaler types he could never convince anyway.

---

MW
Quitcher bitchin!
You're living along the balmy South Shore!....12 degrees.....shoot....
It was 4 here that same morning.....
Yeah... I'm gettin' REAL twitchy.....:(
I pulled the entire interior out of "Grin and Bear It", before enbalming her to the frozen tundra...
Full strip and 6 coats varnish ....
New Petroplastic gaskets for glass....they work/lookgreat!
New Black Walnut instrument panels...the old console dash was a mess...
New fused switch panel for electrics....
Bob Younger suggested a new bezel...threw that in....looked so good, I'm going for a new 15" Schmitt Stainless Wheel with the 10 degree dish...it'll give me probably another 4" of "living space", between console and bench.
I'm gonna replace the original pull ring on the front locker cover...I got my money's worth out of the old one.....
I'm replacing the old plastic rod holders mounted on the back of the bench with stainless jobs...positioned, so she won't hook herself trying to get to the back of the boat.....:o
Remount the 200 watt amp and stereo....the console makes a great speaker cabinet.....!
I'm designing a mahogany drink holder setup...for some frosty beverages...if it EVER warms up!!!!!!
Is it done? NO!!!!
Is it cold? YES!
I'm watching the National High Scool Cheerleader Dance Championships...with more interest than my wife feels is appropriate...
Time to varnish.....

---

Well...
There is now a least one coat of varnish on all sundry mahogany pieces...
6 on the Console....new switches/fuses...amp/receiver/instruments/engine control relocated/remounted...new Schmitt 10 degree destroyer wheel, on it's way...glass ready for remount with new Petroplastic gaskets....
[img]http://danedgcomb.smugmug.com/gallery/4482880_3amL8#263723554 [/img]

---

Dear Administrators,
Please review my attempt to insert an http img file into the text of the post...
I was able to attach a pic to the post...but had to shrink it so much...it got fuzzy...
Wha'damIdoin'wrong?:(

---

I took the battery out today and put it on "Charge", add 1 broken anchor light to the list after last night's wind :(
mw

---

Mike,

I hope the picture of my trailer plank helped. I attached it using stainless carriage bolts through the plank to a piece of aluminum channel below the trailer frame. Flat aluminum would have worked, but I had the channel in stock.

Dan,

Your console is lookin' good! My Sakonnet's console never looked that good.

Doug

---

stereo and speakers, are due this week and should be installed this coming weekend. I will need to check with Mills to see if the canvas is on it's way back to me and if so, that will also be reinstalled this weekend. I am waiting for new sleeves for the XHS hub kit so I can install the 19P Lazer II because the 17P Offshore lets the engine over rev. The only things left to do, will be to shorten the wires in the console, wire in the new stereo and patch 4 holes in the stern where I pulled the boards off and then go boating. I suspect I will miss my target date of the Ides of March, but I plan to be out on the water before April 1st.

---

Hmm.

Sleeping deck/casting deck - Done
New project discovered: fix rotted wood under bow rail stanchions. Not done

The rest of the projects have to wait - I've been "working" on my brother's boat (restoring a 1968 Starcraft) for two years...got to deliver that to him this summer.

Back to work - Spring isn't here for several more weeks. We have 3 more measurable snowfalls to go (My prediction).

Dave

---

Doug,
It's shiny for a change...
And Yeah...I move all the instruments around....mounted them on new panels....as they were all installed...crooked...
...sorry Dad.....that drove me nuts.....BUT!
We are celebrating the boat's 45th birthday this year!
Figgered it was time for a little facelift...
The new steering wheel arrived...
I'm gaining 4-1/2" overall, by mounting the teleflex (behind) the dash panel...and the 10 degree dish wheel...:D...valuable space!
Here's the old dash panel....
New pictures comin'soon...

---

Mikey likes it!......Lucy likes it.....
It'll look better on the boat....in the water!:D