More work in progress

[Franco]

FEEL FREE TO COMMENT
The deck is just about ready to paint, put in new hatches on either side of the engine box, go rid of the teak
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Flafranco/P5010023.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Flafranco/P5010024.jpg

Cut down the bowrail, replaced all the fittings with stainless steel

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Flafranco/P3260100.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Flafranco/P3260101.jpg

Pulled out all the black plastic rod holders and got stainless steel, even found 2 a few inches shorter, so they dont go thru the top of the rod boxes. Be sure to chamfer all your screwholes other wise you'll *spidercrack the gelcoat. had to fix the gelcoat under all the old rodholders
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Flafranco/P5010028.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Flafranco/P5010030.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Flafranco/8b476d78.jpg

[reelapeelin]

Franco, Buddy, you got it goin' ON!...rod holders great and cuttin' down the bow rails is stroke of GENIOUS!...that really works...if I wasn't swingin' a hammer this mornin' I'd go wack mine... 8)...

you gonna be hard to catch w/ "big red" pushin' ya...Or is that orange...heck, anyway, there won't be many passin' ya...if they can, salute 'em... :o...

[shicks007]

Nice work Franco!

[phester]

Franco, cutting down the bow rail looks really nice, good idea

[Stinky_Hooker]

Lookin good franco...u use two pieces of stainless for that and bend em yourself?

love the rod holders...my 18 I am usein right now has the plastic ones and I am just waitin on an AJ or a big snapper to rip em out!!! ;D

[Franco]

ITS THE ORIGINAL ONE PIECE ALUMINUM TUBE, SHORTENED ABOT 5 INCHES ON EITHER END, NEW MOUNTS AT THE REAR DROP DOWN THE HEIGHT AND SHORTENED ALL THE OTHER PIPES - MOUNTED THEM IN THE ORIGINAL SPOTS ON THE TUBE, HAD TO MOUNT ON NEW SPOT ON THE FOREDECK, FIXED THE OLD HOLES IN THE GELCOAT

[Blue_Runner]

I'll bet all those stainless fitting cost a perty $, but you won't have to worry about it any more!

[macojoe]

Now I want to do mine!!

[Franco]

went to marine connection - 29.95 for the long ones, and 24.95 *for the short ones on the rod holders, everything else was 9 to 15 dollars each - not too bad really

[macojoe]

Go me to want to do mine now!! But the anchor pulpit is in the way >:(
I guess I will lower the rail and throw the pulpit is the craper

[Franco]

Hey MJ, Split the rail, use two of the end caps on each rail. leave room for the pulpit, that thing looks too good to do away with. Think I'm gonna paint the topside while I have all the stainless off it. I got the whole deal for about $125.00 at marine connection. I got cleats, chocks, bimini mounts - the whole deal. Paints another $200 to $250. I have some connections with a painter to professionally prep and spray it. I can rough it in pretty well, he'll just do the final prep and sanding. The only thing I won't pull off is the windshield. I have a new rubrail also. I'll paint it from the rubrail up, the hull is in great shape, just needs a light buffing.

[Vic]

Franco, Those are nice rod holders and dropping the bow rail is sweet. I bet the rail is stronger that way.

[Franco]

It's moore out of the way, and it was right in a spot on my vision I didn't like. Sorta like a bug on the windshield