---

Just interested to see what anyone has planned to do with their boat/motor before or during this coming boating season.

Here are my plans hopefully for this season.


Things I have recently finished and to get things ready for the above engine(s).


I was hoping to finish this last year but BRP hasn't released the 9.9 kicker motors yet.
Hopefully these smaller engines will be released this year.
Otherwise my engines are running fine and my boat is ready to go for this season the way it is now.
Still a little cold in the mornings around here. 25º this morning but Spring is coming.

---

My plans for my 13' BW are to rebuild and reinstall the steering console. I have pictures and will open a project album shortly.

Springtime is just around the corner here in North Texas!

---

Evenstar
Replace the 500GPH bilge in the splashwell with an 1100GPH model.
Possibly spend time on troubleshooting the water pressure sensor or replace.

13 footer
The list I am not going to do, is shorter than what I plan on, and that is probably not finish. Hope at least to get a good start this summer.

---

Now that I have finished my gunwale refinish, I am ready to replace the impeller on my OMC engine. I would also like to install a new fish-finder, perhaps with GPS. I'll need advice on that one, but that's for another thread!

---

Well, I actually have a boat that needs nothing. My 13 footer is about as good as I can get her. I plan to put some hours (hopefully, Wednesday) on the 25 Merc I bought last July.(have only run it for five hours since new) Of course I need to finish the restoration of my `50`s glass tailfin boat, and install the 105hp powerhead I bought last fall on the raceboat, but not being Whalers i won`t mention anymore about them.

rich

---

Joe,

I put my boat in the shop right after New Years to do routine winter maintenance and clean up/polish up.

That scope has ballooned exponentially..... as I write this, my 200 Suzuki is hanging on an engine hoist awaiting a repaint. The brake pads will be replaced on the trailer, as well as at least two tires. A new power point is on the bench, awaiting installation in the console. The teak accessories are ready to be reoiled. The fuel filter is ready to be replaced. The oil tank level sensor needs new o-rings. The main head cooling hoses need to be replaced. This is just what I can remember off of the top of my head, without looking at the list hanging on the cork board in the shop.

Lets just say, I'm a busy guy on weekends.

Doug

---

Similar to most, the list of projects seems to never end!

Originally I planned on doing some minor glass work on the hull, putting my orignial console (revarnished) back together and installing, and rewiring... recently from this forum I've learned my engine may be mounted too low, so i'll be adding this to my list.

Becasue i'm now removing the engine, I might as well remove everything so I can flip her, making the minor glass work easier, and be able to asses my trailer which I'd like to convert from bunks to a combo bunks/keel roller type setup and paint.

My only fear is there wont be enough weekends during our short season to get this all done and still have time to use her.

---

Build a "bow support pole" for my cover. Good time last weekend breaking this up, then bucketing out the rest of the water. Amazingly the cover held...

---

Little stufff...

1. Need a live bait system. Thinking about using oxygen tanks held in place with a Sea Sucker suction cup. So it can be secure, but removeable and require no holes to be drilled.

2. Need some rail mounted rod holders for the bow and amidships, to be used when tarpon and shark drift fishing. Had my eye on two ebay auctions for two old Lee's units each, just under bid on them. Wish I hadn't screwed that up.

3. Anchoring system for wade fishing. Mud spear/cajun anchor or just a small second anchor to use from the stern when in shallow. Also need to replace my main anchor line - it's old.

4. Install a VHF radio.

5. Replace worn trailer tires.

6. Do a proper repair on some "side of the road" trailer wiring repairs I did in the fall...

7. Fix whatever I break. This is an ongoing task :)

---

Boat is a '78 13 Sport and...

I have a ton. I think I am going to keep it relatively quiet until I get it done and make a project album. I am afraid I may face some bitter oppostion to some of my ideas if I reveal them early, but I will shed some insight.

**Expected completion date: flexible March 31st.**

I will say that the hull has been filled, faired, compunded, polished, rubbed and waxed. The wood is new and/or refinished, but not in my hands yet. The new Teleflex 4.2 nfb is waiting to be installed, the new taller, and slightly larger console will be moved to the center, with a custom fabbed windshield, grab rail and leaning post. The console will house a new single level morse control, battery box, some storage space, and new electronics--see below.

Console dimensions= 22" wide 32" tall (from floor not including windshield and grab rail)

Leaning post dimensions= 20" wide, 32"ish tall, cool thing about it is the cushion swivels to face forward or aft and tightens with a hand knob. Got it from these guys...http://arrigonidesigns.com/ kind of like the 20-LP shown if you click on leaning posts on the left and then scroll about half way down the page. Weird I couldn't get a direct link here... Mine has a grab rail on it though.

I was afraid to overdo the console and leaning post. I didn't want one of those too big, bulky set-ups that can often happen in a 13 so special consideration was taken to avoid that, however, we will not know for sure until it is all in there together.

The new all black rubrail from Sue at Twin Cities is also still in the box waiting for the hull. Wiring is waiting for the hull...

Still shopping for best price on a new 797c2i SI Combo NVB from Humminbird. (But one will most likely be in the boat after income tax return time.)http://store.humminbird.com/humminbir...20-1V.html

Other cosmetics, like cushions etc. will be ordered shortly.

Not sure about a trolling motor. I may put on a smallish transom mount motor, maybe 55lb. The places I would use it are relatively calm and wouldn't require anything too serious, plus I would like to avoid another battery and all that cramped up in the bow if possible... Maybe this guy in the 55lb and 42" shaft model as it only requires 12v...http://www.minnkotamotors.com/product...axxis.aspx

Motor is clean and the hood is waiting for new decals to be shot at a local marine vinyl place. It will be scuffed, primed and painted with the Johnson factory paint to complement the new decals. (It is the original 35 Johnson Seahorse) I may raise it up a bit when it is rigged again.

The layout will remain a small mystery until I close in on completion, but I assure you it will not be cramped although it may sound like it. You can guess, I brought up an inkling of an idea about it in a previous thread I started about steering cable routing. Only one wood bench seat will be in the boat, but the leaning post will have a quick release and a deck plate so the other thwart seat can be put back in according to the particular function required for the outing. This is primarily a fishing boat, so that is the driver for the fishing setup, plus it will not be sold, so functionality is more important that originality. I will, however, keep all the pieces to convert it back to original in case that desire ever arises.

(I would post pics now, but you have all seen a bare hull cleaned up waxed, flipped etc, and all the parts are still in boxes and crates so that is no fun. Plus, I am waiting to get the wood back from Mike Stennet, and we all know that will look good...)

I guess that wasn't too quiet.;)

-John

---

The big plan for me this year is to fish!


Halibut is coming up, we still have sturgeon here, and the lakers are btiing up in the sierras, so knida busy with that.

Projects,

Need to rasie the motor a hole.
Need to put another coat or two on the new console I built last year. The pieces I saved off the old console got as many coats as the new, but they look much more worn than the new stuff.
Get a cap for the steering wheel.
Recrimp the downriggers wires, couple of frays on both.
Find a way to do remote throttle for my nissan kicker.
Come up with a better transom saver, since mine alwyas pops loose.
Set the trailer as a keel roller setup.

---

Geez, how do you guys find the time for all this?? Unfortunately, i've been busy as usual on the house and quite a bit of business traveling, and the boats have taken a back seat. Did finish rewiring Raggedy (that was a hell of a job thank god for good friends) and will be putting her teak work back on. Family is coming down (3 brother, 1 brother-in-law and 2 nephews) in April, and i plan on having both Whalers ready to go off shore, 3 in each boat for some fishing. Once they leave will tidy Raggedy up and put her up for sale, which will allow me to focus on the new boat.

New boat also needs a rewire (i'm well acquainted now and not worried), and i already started my mahogany rod holders and hope to finish them soon.

Going to keep my 225 ETEC for another year, but depending on my off-shore use, may be shopping for twin 115's, or 130's ETEC's for next repowering. Absolutely nothing wrong with the 225, but would like to have something solid to push me home should i have issues with a motor 40 or 50 miles offshore.

Looking to purchase a new buffer to hit both hulls with, any recommendations are appreciated! I have read all the comments on buffers in Whaler Central, but would like to know if there are any more current ideas.

Salute

Duf B)

---

While the list is long, I am taking this season off. Lisa and I are expecting our second child (a brother for Spencer, now 4) in early April. That should say it all. :o

I don't expect much water time but do hope/pray to make the NYC gathering in June.

---

Gotta replace or repair the belly tank (running on a plastic tank for now), and I am considering replacing the original bow eye with something a little bigger. The lifting strap at the marina doesn't fit through the old one very well. Anyone have any input on this?

Gig- let me now how you rig the bait system. I am curious how well the oxygen tanks work.

---

My plans:

#1: Will probably do some work on several Whalers, among other things, for other people over the summer, this will lead to a heightened level of Whaler envy and need for something beyond the family's 13' sport.

This will lead to item #2

#2: Find a Whaler to restore. Restore her over the summer while working and home from school for more than just a weekend. Will do so with plans to sell her, but may well become attached and keep, who knows.

So my plans are to basically do everything.... now to find one...

---

I had the tank on my 21 replaced last summer. Guy who did it said it was a PITA to get out, but the new replacement from Florida Marine Tanks fit in very well. Had to get a gas gauge in for the console, as the new tanks don't have the mechanical gauge in them anymore.

I also have problems with the bow eye on mine being too small. The hook from my trailer winch would get stuck in it. Solution was to install a stainless steel shackle (like used to attach anchor chain) on the bow eye. I now hook my trailer winch to that shackle. Looks like my boat has an "ear ring" when it's in the water, but it was way cheaper than replacing the bow eye.

Will-do on the oxygen system, once I get it done. Going to poke around in Port Aransas/Corpus this weekend, as I want to know about where I will be getting my oxygen refills. As I understand it, some systems have to be filled by suppliers of medical oxygen, and that this requires some rule-bending, unless your doctor gives you a prescription for oxygen. I don't want a system that I can't use, obviously...

---

Thanks again, Gig. Great idea on the bow eye!

---

Gigem - You don't need to have an "earing" rattling around on your bow eye. I have two 70's era Outrages and I know what you mean about modern winch strap hooks not fitting the old Whaler bow eyes.

What I did was to buy a sturdy galvanized "S" hook, which is then hooked through the strap hole in the original hook, which will then point down and out of the way, and secured with a rubber "S" hook retainer (take an old rubber bungee strap, cut off 1-1/2" from an end, slide the hole for strap hook on to the "S" hook, and wedge in the rest) so it won't fall out of the winch hook eye. The "S" hook will easily fit the Whaler bow eye.

---

Almost complete redo of my 17 Montauk. After another successfull year of fishing Cali and Baja. Currently completely stripped and upside down. 3+ layers of bottom paint removed and 1 layer of topside paint above the waterline removed. Starting gelcoat work next week. Will have new all welded rails, starboard console doors, rubrail, motor moved up and all wiring completely redone. She was in pretty good shape but as I pulled parts off things showed up and the complete redo started. Going to start a project album as the bottom is at the clean sanded stage now.

---

All the same thing's from last season ! (drain tubes), I got hung up last season with steering cable, and pivot tube, also the "Stat" went out on me throwing my engine into "S.L.O.W" mode. I fixed the cable w/ great difficulty (store kept giving me the wrong size, and the spacer washer worked out while repairing it in tilt mode mutiple times, I had it fixer right twice, then a friend helped me get it back in). The stat hung me up cause, I had cool water coming out of the tell tale and could not figure out why I was in "SLOW" mode. I was able to fix it in the driveway and continue boating for the season because, I had GREAT help here on "W/C" from the crew !

---

Congratulations!

For projects just do what my pop taught me - make a list of stuff you've already finished! Then all you do is check them off one at a time and snicker after each check mark! Works like a charm.

ps - I've got the list-making technique down pat, but I'm still working on the wiseguy snicker. :D

---

If your interested, there is a place in Corpus that Manf equipment for offshore etc, and they can make almost anything. I took my old bow eye from Raggedy to them, and they made me a duplicate for about $32 compared to over $100 a the BW store. If your interested, let me know and i'll look up the address for you. They did a great job to, as it looks like the orginal. I'm sure it would be no problem for them to make one with a slightly larger eye then your original.

Duf B)

---

I'm just going to install my VHS radio. And I'm going to mess with my jack plate a little.
Other than that, I'm ready to do some fishin and the Around Manhattan event. :D

---

Don't forget that red rubrail insert!

---

Long list this off-season.

I traded up from an 18' Outrage that was in great condition to a 22' Outrage that is in not so great condition. Fortunately my 18' started out this way so I learned a few lessons.

Here is the short list:

Replace fuel fill and vent line

Strip and re-finish teak

Chrome rod holders and hawspipes

Polish cleats

Install Racor fuel filters

Buff out gel-coat

replace drain pipes

Replace cushions

Re-configure leaning post (thinking of combo seat/leaning post)

Repair Bimini top

Polish Bow Rail

Make and install new instrument panel

Make and install new distribution panel

Started in October and I am about half way through the list, so the future is bright. Bring on summer!

---

This is my wife's boat;)

Purchased 82' 13 sport with brand new Eazyloader trailer, boat had lots of gouges dings and deep scratches.

Repaired all damage, faired hull, Now painting boat.
New rubrail
New Interior (will change to SS)
New teleflex steering
New bow/stern light. (Original style)
New motor,controls,gas tank, batteries
New cushions
New bimini

And whatever else SHE wants to buy for this thing!;)B):D

---

Looks like my projects are going to be cut down to almost nothing this year.
The new 9.9 and 15 E-Tecs are now rumored at coming out in 2010..

So, no new engines or hydraulic steering system for me this year.
I guess I'll just have to tough it out and use the boat. :)

---

Just purchased a new set of 18' outriggers (TACO) and have to mount the bases on the T-Top. I thought about the Lee outriggers Whaler Dan had for sale but needed the ones that mount on top. His looked like a nice set....someone without a T-Top should consider them.

---

Where do i start...my Montauk 17' (new to me 4 weeks ago) is being rejuvenated. I have no previous boat experience but i'm willing to try , heres whats coming up:

Remove engine and cables

Remove centre console and all cables from rear tunnel

Remove all woodwork in preparation for flipping the boat.

All woodwork to be sanded stained and varnished. ( my woodwork company is doing this thankfully)

Hull to be filled, sanded and filled and sanded and filled and sanded...you get the picture!!!

Hull to be painted in two part epoxy paint.

Anti foul to be applied

Keel Shield to be applied ( boat will be beached on a regular basis.

Internal fibreglass to be cleaned and polished ( not sure if i want to paint it , its covered in spidercracks)

new fascia for console and gauges repositioned.

Wiring tidied up inside console.

Boat put back together

Decals from Magic brush to be applied.

boat in water....hurrah!