The Journey Begins

[aluminumdreamer]

Did you run the tig torch around both ends of all of the rod holders? No filler rod added? Just to smooth out the sharp edges?

I love seeing the updates. You guys have been working hard and it shows. Keep up the good work.

Nate

[goatram]

Yes Nate. Just rune it around to clean the edge. My Son's trick.

[aluminumdreamer]

Yes Nate. Just rune it around to clean the edge. My Son's trick.

I would agree! Looks like he's been doing some pretty nice work. You must be proud (of the boy and the boat). I can't believe how fast this thing is coming together. I will continue to live vicariously through your posts.

Nate

[pjay9]

I know there isn't a pleasure boat with the side lights in the correct place according to the regulations...I think the USCG has given up on pleasure boats...but on inspected craft the red and green are to be protected from being seen from across the bow to the opposite light by a black board the same height as the light and for 3 feet ahead of it. Impossible to do on most pleasure craft. But you have space and a place above your side windows...even if you moved them back 6" the lights would not be seen by another vessel incorrectly. The reason I am mentioning this is because when I owned an inspected vessel the USCG after the boat had been in service for 4 years caught the mistake by the manufacturer and made me fix it along with having 3 feet of verticle separation between the R/G side and the forward white light...that was hard to do with the boat configuration but I was able to satisfy the inspector...so this is something I have remembered all these years!!! Just thought I'd mention it. The verticle separation is easliy done with a small foldable mast on your arch...leave it down for trailering...up when you need to run in the dark and you can get a combo forward and anchor light on the same mast. You'll also need an aft white don't forget. This build is sure looking better every time you post something and spring is rapidly approaching. You are doing a grand job. can't wait5 to see it in person.

[waterdog247]

Pjay9,
My nav lights are in the exact same position. She is a USCG inspected and documented boat and they didn't say anything about them. Is there a different rule for length of boat?

[goatram]

Boat work is now in crunch time. Setting up the Helm wiring and a few other things like down rigger mounts, rub rails, front bow rail finishing touch.

I had to work both days this past Weekend. Hopefully I will get my windows next week on Friday 29 March. Shooting for the week of April 8th for engines install.

[Chaps]

Windows on the 29th? Mine too?

Hey, what are those box structures you're welding to the gunwales?

[goatram]

Mounts for the Downriggers. Third picture shows the basic layout of Drink Holder, DR Mount in the center, and a rod holder on the opposite side of the cup holder.

[Chaps]

Oh, nice idea, then you run tube between them to fill the gap between the boxes?

[goatram]

yup tube will be on tomorrow night. it's cut and ready.

[spoiled one]

Looking great, John. I really like the way the bow rails have turned out. Very, very nice. I cannot remember if you covered this earlier or not. Are you painting the interior?

[Sabs28]

Looking great When will she see some water???

[goatram]

Looking great, John. I really like the way the bow rails have turned out. Very, very nice. I cannot remember if you covered this earlier or not. Are you painting the interior?

Pete
No Pain----------t

Interior will have paneling over insulation. Insulation will be 1.5" foam board. Paneling; Formica or Plywood and Monkey Butt Fir/Fuss Dash will be unpainted as well

Sabs;
She might see fresh water mid April. I am shooting for 9 May to fish her. Work is Conspiring against me. Damn Schedule keeps changing and requiring me to work the weekends

[goatram]

Worked the trailer today. Travis aka Blackmouther on BD supplied 6 ea. 4" by 6" x 10' long plastic bunks for my trailer. Stuff cuts real easy in the table saw. Ran out of time today to finish it. I have to splice two to make it them 15' long

Dave aka Lofin on BD dropped off the counter top finished ready for me to install. Soon!

He made plugs for both sink and for the stove cutout. He put on a back splash and a Teak rail on it as well. Looks sweet. Thank you Dave aka master carpenter. I have room to keep the Microwave on the counter top it looks like.

[spoiled one]

Looking great, John. I really like the way the bow rails have turned out. Very, very nice. I cannot remember if you covered this earlier or not. Are you painting the interior?

Pete
No Pain----------t

Interior will have paneling over insulation. Insulation will be 1.5" foam board. Paneling; Formica or Plywood and Monkey Butt Fir/Fuss Dash will be unpainted as well

That's right. I remember now. That will be nice. Getting close, man.

[pjay9]

Pjay9,
My nav lights are in the exact same position. She is a USCG inspected and documented boat and they didn't say anything about them. Is there a different rule for length of boat?

Upon reading the COLREGS/Navigation Rules...it may be that a vessel under 20 meters is allowed a COMBO light which does not provide for light viewing angles. But In my thinking if you can appear bigger than you are at night the less likely you'll be run down.

The picture belows shows what I am pointing out about cross bow line of sight which leads to visual miscue on the actual location of the vessel.

I also included the regulation paragraph. Note the "right ahead"...it is implied! And the USCG likes implied!!!

My point being if I can provide better relative location to another vessel the less chance there is in having a collision because of lights. Also my rule of thumb is as follows: "If I don't know what those lights mean I am not going over there!"

Just some thoughts!

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One last comment! TURN TO PORT GO TO COURT.

[goatram]

Porn for those that like it.

My binnacle is now made and attached ready for a set of Honda BF250 from Defiance Marine to be installed.

my helm missing the key switch panel.

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Two back rails installed between the front and aft DR Mounts. The inboard sides of the aft DR's are getting rails as well. They will set at a 12* lean to the aft. A perfect seat that should be smooth for the ride.

DR Mount with rail attached

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Side rail between the SB DR Mounts

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Back Rail

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In place of buoys I will be utilizing these hull stiffeners. The have a slot cut into the aft lower corner for water drainage. A couple of them are over aluminum thru hulls. Drains for the bilges and sink.Attachment 412055

tacked on

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Rub Plate missing the top cap

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My bait tank thru hull exits under this clam shell on the port side.

Clam shell

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More to come. I promise

Capt Turn to Port go to court???????

[goatram]

My new transom box lid. I purchased it from Miller Marine Products. Mike the owner was easy to work with.

Gave him the measurements, he corrected me on a couple of areas that if not corrected I would have had some scrap starboard for other projects. He makes cleaning tables, anchor nests, and other products as well. Check out his site. And He is a sponsor of this here site

http://millermarineproducts.com/

[Chaps]

John, will the boat/trailer fit into my lift?

[pjay9]

"TURN TO PORT GO TO COURT" This something to keep in mind when encountering another vessel if you are the burdened vessel or the giveway vessel...if the burdened vessel you turn to starboard to go aft of the crossing vessel...if the stand-on vessel you turn to starboard to get away from the burdened vessel...if meeting you pass port to port so you both turn to starboard...just think about all the other situations and keep in mind the color of the lights you see...AND thusly we are back to the reason to have the sidelights protected from being seen across the bow!

So if you turn to PORT you get in the way and are AT FAULT...rememeber both vessel whether give way or stand on have the duty to avoid collision...so if both turn to starboard then voila...no problem! But if one goes to port and the other starboard...oppp$$$!!!

Just a breif explanation of the Rules of the Road set forth by the USCG and International Maritme Organization adhered to worldwide in most cases and that is where the notice to pilots and such come in...then it gets complicatied...no worries we don't have those issue in US waters as far as I know! HAPPY BOATIN!!! Capt. PJ

[goatram]

gotta catch up you all on the progress. The LITTLE GIRL Flew on to her trailer. I had to move it out so we can weld up the transom drain holes on Saturday. Sunday after much time and effort (17 hours) I got some things to show you. I left a mess in the bilge (blood) from the two skinned knuckles on the right hand of mine getting the macerator hooked to the fish box.

I installed hinges and finger pulls to the two small aft hatches.

The rear transom panel now has a bottom hinge riveted on. Ready to be installed and locate the holes for the perko latches. Had to counter sink the backside so when the rivets are installed they can be ground down flush.

The two side panels are hung and latches installed. Port side will be a rope locker; Starboard side is for the wash down pump.

The helm is pretty much set as to the layout. The awe Doo-doo handles add some support to the helm as well.

Tomorrow's work is to sand and test the Metabo polisher that I borrowed from Vance. It should help get the sides ready go windows and sharkhide to be installed.

[Sabs28]

Looks great John Is that a ladder I see on the starboard side of the cabin??? Did you add that or was it there????

[pjay9]

Really like seeing all the detail shots you have posted over this whole project...it makes the story come togehter so well. With her sitting out in the sunshine she really looks like a fine craft...love that you have used side strakes to do double duty as drain covers. Are the engines close? The hull looks like she'll handle some seas with ease. Nice job! PJ

[goatram]

Capt the next hurrdle is the wiring and install of the windows. The Motors should come in two weeks or so.

[spoiled one]

John, it is cool seeing what she looks like in its entirety. I like it. I am really interested to hear and see how you like the new Hondas. I haven't heard much about the 250s. She should run like a scalded dog...er...goat!