BOW TANK INSTALLATION

As Steve Lassley and I walked up the side of the 60-foot Hatteras Bad Company and stepped out on the forward deck, we nearly crashed due to a heavy coat of solid ice. There's something wrong with this picture! This is Southern California. It's supposed to be warm and balmy, but freezing cold temps had settled in to make an interesting start to my bow tank installation.

Steve and I had met on the boat only a few days previously to plan the installation. Their other boat, a 60-foot Viking, had sold suddenly so there was a mad rush to get this boat ready to get down to Cabo for the season. (Check out Lassley's column about the entire refit at www.bdoutdoors.com/article/lassley-change) 

Although the Hatteras already had some incredible history to her credit, one critical piece of gear was missing — the bow tank — and we had a short time frame to get it built, plumbed and done.

Fortunately, there was just enough space to fit in a Pacific Edge PEBT-24-D, our most popular bow tank for the bigger rigs. In its full size, this divided tank is about 90 gallons and is one of our best sellers for guys wanting a stylish design combined with extraordinary bait-holding characteristics. The same is true when we cut them down 10 to 12 inches to fit up forward — they're just perfect if your boat can handle the physical size.

Once we decided on the tank, I made a quick pattern to build a cover for what was to be one of the challenges — the lack of space below, forcing the inlet and drain hoses to go forward into the base of the pulpit before dropping into the spacious chain locker. We settled on the color selection, got the basics figured out for the plumbing and then it was back to the shop to get the process started.

Normally we try to allow at least 10 to 12 working days to build a tank, especially one requiring a custom color. But there was no such luxury this time given the departure schedule Steve was planning on. Good thing we work well under pressure! I knew it would all get done. Honestly, it was a stretch to get the tank cut down and finished, the pre-plumbing done in the shop, the stainless rod rack designed, built, polished and installed along with a redesigned set of locking lids to keep water in when running at 30 knots in choppy weather. But I've got a great team to work with and they all came through.

When I headed to San Diego for the installation, it was with total confidence. The tank was all set, the rod rack installed and the lids in place. I had a van full of installation parts and by the end of the day the job would be complete and the boat ready to head south. And with one little exception, it all went exactly as planned.

It's those glitches that can really cramp your style. The cold temps and ice on the deck were one thing, but the real problem started with a stainless deckplate that had been mounted for an old rocket launcher.

The plate had to come off. We drilled down through the center of the six flat-head screws with a pilot bit and followed it up with a 3/8-inch bit, the same diameter as the bolt and then popped it off. It sure wasn't my idea of fun but with limited time and options, the chips started flying.