Started a few things.....

[Stinky_Hooker]

With deer season behind me its time to revive the baby doll.

I got the batteries charged and cranked her up yesterday.

I started fabbing for the fresh water tanks on the Ol girl yesterday. I am using 8" PVC with caps on each end and threading my barb connectors for the fills and drains into the plastic. Ill also 5200 them guys in there to be sure. I got all the PVC stuff for free from a buddy that owns a site work contracting company.

FYI two 31" lengths of 8" pipe held right at 6 gallons each. I was impressed with that.

Ill hook a valve into the existing washdown in order to switch from raw to fresh water.

Im looking forward to being able to wash the deck down or wash reels and all down at the end of the day.


Other mods this season are going to be a T-top and Seafoam Green paint on the sides with new black pinstriping and graphics.


Plenty of pics to follow!!!

[Blue_Runner]

Don't forget to bleed the saltwater out before switching to fresh...or let it run a little while after switching (or both). Otherwise I'd imagine you might get a brackish result. You can always do the taste test too.

Funny story: When me and Skools went to inspect a skiff boat I was looking at, we cranked it up and it was running on the hose. Skools bent down and took a big mouthful right from where the motor pees. He swished it around a bit and spat it out. Me and dad kinda looked at him like what the heck are you doing. The the wise old (young) Skools says, "Doesn't taste like she's seen much saltwater."

:sun:

[Stinky_Hooker]

LOL Ive done the same thing...Skools IS a moron though. LOL

[C YENSEN]

Don't forget to bleed the saltwater out before switching to fresh...or let it run a little while after switching (or both). Otherwise I'd imagine you might get a brackish result. You can always do the taste test too.

Funny story: When me and Skools went to inspect a skiff boat I was looking at, we cranked it up and it was running on the hose. Skools bent down and took a big mouthful right from where the motor pees. He swished it around a bit and spat it out. Me and dad kinda looked at him like what the heck are you doing. The the wise old (young) Skools says, "Doesn't taste like she's seen much saltwater."

:sun:

well that is not something you see everyday:clap:

[C YENSEN]

I would love to start a few projects, but my boat is wrapped up tighter than a present on christmas morning.:sad::sleep:till spring gets here

[Stinky_Hooker]

LOL, it would drive me nuts living up north!

After January Im ready to get started on planning to fish! It was 70 and sunny here yesterday...springs just around da corner!!!

[Airslot]

CY, if ya wann a work on the V, come on down, mine's never covered. Climb on in and do all the work ya want.:clap:

[C YENSEN]

as soon as you take me fishing, i will come work on your boat as payment:zip:

[phatdaddy]

your gonna love the freshwater wash down, best thing is rinsing off sunglasses & quick showers. I have 2 3" PVC tanks 4 ft long & they hold about 6 gallons total, but if you don't go crazy, its enough to make a difference.

[Stinky_Hooker]

Werd, Phatty I agree.

[Skools Out]

hey hey who ya calling a moron lol j/k

[randlemanboater]

Remind me never to go look at horses with Skools.

[Blue_Runner]

What about go out to a strip club w/ Skools?

:oh:

[Stinky_Hooker]

I hear that Skools is into Barnyard stuff so they could be one in the same.

[parishht]

Wait, there is a club in Ga. named the Barnyard:

[tsubaki]

Wait, there is a club in Ga. named the Barnyard:
(dare I ask how he knew that?):you:

[Stinky_Hooker]

Well here are my tanks


http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/328f9e5be475.jpg




That I'm NOT going to use.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Smilies/scratch.gif



The reason being is I CANT get a freakin water line from them to the rear of the boat where the wash down is.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Smilies/bgh.gif


I tried today quite a bit but to no avay. There isn't enough room under the tank and I cant go up and around the gunwale or Ill lose the water flow I need by going uphill. I have given them to my buddy with the Robalo...they will be better on a bigger boat anyhow.


Onward to other things....got the console pulled up to repair the edge that are a little busted up from over the years.


I have also pulled my steering cable out of the tilt tube for the 3rd and FINAL year to free it up. I say final because Ive done some research and found out one from a 90-300 Merc are the SAME one. Since the Force parts are getting hard to find this is my best bet. Ive found a stainless one here in Mobile and ill be picking it up next week sometime.

Either way I'm praying the Force will get me through one more year as I'm budgeting for new (newer) V6 power next spring. It should as she runs like a top, but I fear I'm on borrowed time.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Smilies/thicon_super.gif


Once I'm done with the console and the new tilt tube Ill move on to the Ttop. I'm planning a run to the scrap yard to add the last few pieces of aluminum Ill need to my stock pile.

Ive also got a new stereo and marine speakers coming as my old ones are done.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Smilies/peace.gif


I'm really looking forward to the new top and the benefits it'll offer....rod holders, crows nest and maybe an electronics box down the road. Not to mention overhead lighting for night fishing as I do a good bit of that during the warmer months.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Smilies/icon_cool.gif


I was planning on a new green paint job on the sides and new stripping, but I am not sure if that will be doable with the time and $$ the top is gonna take. I may just wax her up good and let her fly for another season. We will see....more updates soon...I hope.

[phatdaddy]

stink. i'm not familar with the cc, but i put my tanks on the sides of the boat between the liner & the outer hull, under the rodboxes. that is why i used the smaller diameter pvc, maybe an option, i'm not sure....

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e203/ffatdaddy/POL_0009.jpg

[Stinky_Hooker]

Thanks for the idea.....I checked that out as well and given the limited space Im just gonna bow out of the fresh water tank idea. Back to a few goolon jugs for washing down the ugly mug on those hot summer days! LOL

[Stinky_Hooker]

I finished up a couple things this weekend. I installed the new flush sharkeye type bow lights. I hated cutting holes in the bow, but someone had to do it.


Definately not my most enjoyable boating add on.

I Also put in all new rod holders (not stainless just plastic) because they were buggin me being all broken and I cant afford stainless this year. Gonna try and replace a couple at a time.


I got the tilt tube from a 200 Merc and it fits perfect! Stainless now as well!!


The console edges were are busted up and breaking loose from the floor and now thats done...I got it glassed back together, faired out and painted yesterday.


Ill take pics when I get home and post them.


The new stereo with SD card capabilities like the one in my truck went in last night too! New marine speakers are on the way and Ill be not far from done.


Cant wait to hit the water!

[randlemanboater]

Good job SH. She will be in ship shape in no time.

You know, people talk bad of Force engines, but all the ones I have been around just keep running year after year. Sure they are heavy and slow but hey, they get you there and back.

[Stinky_Hooker]

I would have to agree randle. Ive owned two and both have just ran and ran.

Shes a little thirsty and slow but so is MJ and we keep him around.

[randlemanboater]

Shes a little thirsty and slow but so is MJ and we keep him around.

Who isn't?

[macojoe]

Everyone is making refrance to me lately?? I have been quite and minding my biz! :head:

[Stinky_Hooker]

Hers a little update....


I been working on the boat and golf cart so my time is split between the two..


Here are my new bow lights...


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Boat/100_2314.jpg


New stereo with SD card reader so no more skipping music on the bumpy water!!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Boat/100_2318.jpg

I got new PYLE marine speakers coming in da mail.


Probably my most exciting addition...a 3 bank onboard charger! Wooohooo!!:sun:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Boat/100_2316.jpg



Here is one of the newly fiberglassed console edges. I faired out, and repainted it...still not caulked it but you get the point.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Boat/100_2315.jpg


More to come!!!

[Stinky_Hooker]

Wooohooo...I just called and the new stainless gas fill and speakers are on the truck for delivery.:sun:

[Stinky_Hooker]

Well guys I got pretty close to done this weekend. I got the speakers installed and the stainless fuel fill in.

I redid my tank hatch and console last monday with 5200. Its drying S-L-O-W but nicely. I pulled it into the sun yesterday for most of the day to assist drying. I am going to back my rod boxes with some strips of treat 1x lumber so I wont have to fight getting screws to hold the boxes in. I am sick of that! Gonna cut them at work today and install thios afternoon. :clap:


I hope to go get in the drink this weekend if the warm forcast holds.


This week Im gonna buff the hull out in honor of MJ.:love:

[nipper]

Nice work Stink. Were the bow lights hard to install?

[Stinky_Hooker]

Nice work Stink. Were the bow lights hard to install?


Not really, just had my butt clenched tight as I cut em. I started with a 1" hole and slowly shaped and opened it up while testing for fit every few millimeters. LOL

[C YENSEN]

nice work buddy. wish it were warm enough here to work on my boat

[macojoe]

Stinky, I had that sticker on my Wellcraft!!

[Stinky_Hooker]

Sweet!

[Stinky_Hooker]

Man its cold here this morning...wind blowin in a cold from yesterday PM so i didnt do much.

I got the traeted 1x strips installed behind the rod boxes so now I got some MEAT for my screws to grab. I been fighting that the last few years everytime I have to pull a rod box. Dont know why I didnt do it sooner.

[whatknot]

Looking good Hooker!
Let me know how the stereo sounds. Where are you getting your speakers from and how much? I did the 1x under the console when the new tank was put in. Glad I did that. I think that was an MJ suggestion that was worth the price of admission. I was thinking about a trolling motor and I see your batter charger on board. Any suggestions?

[Stinky_Hooker]

Here are a few more specifics whatknot.....


My new fuel fill: off ebay....
http://i5.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/7d/c8/ebb1_1.JPG

New 6x9 speakers...they sound GOOD. I got em off ebay for right under 60 bones counting shipping. Thats WAY cheaper than any marine speakers Ive seen locally, especially in 6x9 sizes. They sound GREAT!


Here is the link to their store...

http://myworld.ebay.com/bigbuycity


"bigbuycity" was the seller and I HIGHLY reccomend them...very fast shipping, great price and easy to deal with....brand new in the box I payed 56.55 counting shipping.

http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/PYLPLMR692.jpg




One other cool thing I did was install 3 of the small submersible LED's on the deck spaced out.
They are like these:
http://insulationforunderwaterlights.com/images/baitwell150.jpg


I already had one in my livewell and it works great and has held up wonderfully.
This time I put two on either side on the gunwale's in the rear and one on the front bulkhead shining onto the floor in front of the console. They light up the deck in the dark nicely and pull virtually NO amperage draw so as to run all night and not worry about dead batteries. :


I am gonna try and fish this weekend with the Mrs. SOMEWHERE if its nice.

EDIT: one cool thing of noteworthyness regarding boats...I had a buddy GIVE me (I call it a blessing) a little bass raider boat, trailer and trolling motor. So now I can pull it behind my beefed up golf cart over to the lake by the house and use it there.



Comon spring and bream on the beds!!! 8)

[Blue_Runner]

Comon spring and bream on the beds!!! 8)
Best freshwater eating fish (around here) IMO!

[whatknot]

Thanks Hooker. Do the speakers have good bottom end? Are you running an amp?

[Butch F20]

Hi guys,

New member here but been around boats all my life, I don't have a "V" but own a 1980 Formula which presents many of the same problems as the older Wellcrafts do. Enjoy your site and have gotten some good ideas from your members.

I have a question for Stink though, your lights look great accept for the colors, they appear to be on the wrong side in the photo, perhaps you already caught it.

Thanks,
Butch

[tsubaki]

Stink might have done that on purpose, you know like the windshield writing for Jeeps.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tsubaki3/imagesCAK7X5U4.jpg
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tsubaki3/100_2314.jpg
There all fixed.

[Stinky_Hooker]

LOL...Hammer, or MJ, or whoever you are...funny, but I aint fallin for it! :clap:

[macojoe]

I always getting blamed!! It wasn't me! But I like it :clap:

[Stinky_Hooker]

I say it was Hammer....Willy, SKOOLS or you.

[Stinky_Hooker]

Looking good Hooker!
Let me know how the stereo sounds. Where are you getting your speakers from and how much? I did the 1x under the console when the new tank was put in. Glad I did that. I think that was an MJ suggestion that was worth the price of admission. I was thinking about a trolling motor and I see your batter charger on board. Any suggestions?



Ive got a 70 lb thrust 3x steering Minn Kota....I got it from twisted Parrot for a GREAT price. It pushed mine well but given a choice go with Motorguide. I know a guy locally that works on em that says they are WAY better motors.