GRAYLIGHT (newly named) is a custom, double hulled 23' aluminum pilothouse that was originally born in the Pacific Northwest as a harbor patrol boat back in 1989 (this is what we have been told by the previous owner, and the boat has changed hands at least 5 times since new). Naturally she came to us pretty used and abused but we fell in love with her immediately and knew this was the investment we were looking for.
I have contacted numerous manufacturers in the PNW trying to find the builder, but nobody has claimed her yet. As suggested by "Omakase" on another fishing forum, he recommended I join this forum and reach out to you guys. If anybody has a clue who manufactured her, I would greatly appreciate it.
The DIY part of this restore was countless hours of sanding, grinding, and painting her inside and out. Painting this girl just about killed my partner and I and I'm not sure I would recommend taking on a project like this unless you're 100% committed from start to finish.
We also added new trim tabs (nautilus smart tabs sx), custom kicker mount and Nissan kicker motor, racor 60 gph fuel separator/filter, fuel sender, 2 new bilges (auto and manual), 3 way bilge switch, hasp lock, door magnets, fans for pilothouse, powder coated the bench seat, deck hatch, new batteries, and a life ring (among other safety items).
We repowered her with a BF 225 Honda last week. She absolutely flies! Specs so far are 25 knots at 3400 rpms and 40 knots at 4800 rpms. We couldn't even redline her since she was chine walking (and squirrelly) at 4800. Although she appears way overpowered, the sea trial was done with only 2 guys (we typically fish 3-5), and no bait tank filled (375 lbs of water normally).
Hoping to be a regular on this forum now that I switched over from NON ALLOY (2 previous Boston Whalers) to our new aluminum boat.
Cheers
Scott
23' custom aluminum pilothouse restore. Builder???
- steelhead88
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2015 12:51 pm
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- Your location: ventura, ca
Re: 23' custom aluminum pilothouse restore. Builder???
not sure who the builder is but looks like an awesome fishing machine. the 225 dwarfs the original engine by the looks of things.
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- Your location: Maple Valley,wa
Re: 23' custom aluminum pilothouse restore. Builder???
That is an awesome boat!!!
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- Posts: 355
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- Your location: Bainbridge Island WA
- Location: Bainbridge Island WA
Re: 23' custom aluminum pilothouse restore. Builder???
Hey Welcome and thanks for posting pics of your boat. I would bet dollars to doughnuts that eventually someone will figure out who built you boat. Cool project--thanks for sharing.
Mike
Mike
- welder
- Site Admin
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Re: 23' custom aluminum pilothouse restore. Builder???
That hull looks real familiar, is there a HIN# on the transom?
Lester,
PacificV2325, Honda BF225
2386
PacificV2325, Honda BF225
2386
- steelhead88
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2015 12:51 pm
- 9
- Your location: ventura, ca
Re: 23' custom aluminum pilothouse restore. Builder???
Thanks for the replies so far guys. Unfortunately there is no HIN or any identifying marker anywhere on the boat.
Here's a few more pics of the restore/repower at different angles, perhaps someone will recognizer her.
You guys rock!
Scott
Here's a few more pics of the restore/repower at different angles, perhaps someone will recognizer her.
You guys rock!
Scott
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- Donator '09
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- Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:19 am
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- Your location: Seattle, WA
- Location: Seattle, WA
Re: 23' custom aluminum pilothouse restore. Builder???
What did your Washington title document say for builder?
1987 24' LaConner pilothouse workboat, 225 Suzuki
please view and like: https://www.facebook.com/bottompainting/
please view and like: https://www.facebook.com/bottompainting/
- steelhead88
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2015 12:51 pm
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- Your location: ventura, ca
Re: 23' custom aluminum pilothouse restore. Builder???
My title (from California) says "SPCNS" which is short for specialty construction. I believe this is the generic label on a title for a boat/trailer/vehicle with no specific make or model.
Like I mentioned earlier, this boat has changed hands at least 5 times and the only story that I got is that it was originally made in the PNW and used for a harbor patrol-related duty. I can't even verify the validity of the story except I tracked down the previous 2 boat owners and they said the same thing.
Like I mentioned earlier, this boat has changed hands at least 5 times and the only story that I got is that it was originally made in the PNW and used for a harbor patrol-related duty. I can't even verify the validity of the story except I tracked down the previous 2 boat owners and they said the same thing.
- goatram
- Donator 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
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- Your location: Stanwood, Wa
- Location: Stanwood WA
Re: 23' custom aluminum pilothouse restore. Builder???
Welcome and Congrats! She looks nice
John Risser aka goatram
33' RBW with twin 250 Hondas (Aliens)
2015 Ford F350 Dually
Master of R&D aka Ripoff and Duplicate
33' RBW with twin 250 Hondas (Aliens)
2015 Ford F350 Dually
Master of R&D aka Ripoff and Duplicate