Okay, so some have figured out I got a new (used ) boat by some of my comments on other threads. I've been going like crazy trying to get it ready for the water but need to take this time to thank a few guys on the board who have helped out.
Whole thing started with a call from a friend. 2005 26' Pacific skiff with twin Suzuki 140. Boat has been sitting 2 years due to a seized bearing on the trailer for two years. Call the guy and he is selling to first guy who has the money (I'm 3.5 hours away) screw it I will wire you $500.00 to hold it till I can come up the next day. He is good with that!
Next Call @goatram because boat is close to his place. Ask if I need to drag it some place if he had storage space till I could get trailer fixed? John asked a couple of questions and then a hour or so later calls me back and informs me what needs to happen. John went over to this guys house and checked out the trailer issue with out me asking just did it. (outstanding to say the least!) Next day he is on board to meet me at the place and proceeded to help me with the trailer. It was more like I stood there and help when he needed something handed to him. Ran in to a couple small issues and did not get the boat moved day 1. John said no problem I will come back tomorrow finish it and bring it to his place. Next thing I get the call and he has stripped down the tires, pulled the calipers and had stuff on order. I was looking for a quick storage space and John went so far above and beyond my head is still spinning! Got all the brakes working then had so actuator issues that he jumped on it and got me on the road!
All I can say is Thank You @goatram /John you rocked this and I really appreciated all your help and knowledge!
After John's a short tow to Lynnwood and crashed out a buddies house for the Saturday evening as it is now about 14 hours in to a long day and need to go to the welding shop for some items I wanted done.
Sunday cruise down to @Nick Rudnick and Colin Rudnick's shop in Ballard. Colin was great to meet me on a Sunday morning (on Saturday seafood fest was blocking roads in Ballard) drop off boat and go over my wish list to see what we could make happen. While looking at boat Colin notices a couple of other issues nothing major but lets deal with them while it is here. About a week later get the call will be done in a day or so. Great to know so I can plan its next stop. Below a few items the boys and Rudnick completed,
Added 8 rod holders per side
No fish box in floor so added tie down points for large cooler or half tote
Added 4 real downrigger mounts. Existing mounts were just bolted through the gunnel with no back plates.
Next was the tow post was about 5.5' off the deck. Had them cut it down and they suggested a nice flat plat for either a downrigger, bait table, or rod holder base. with the plate on there I can change use depending on fishery! Bait table won and waiting for it to come back from powder coating.
The next one was the bigger item. I have never understood why these companies use plastic hatch cover on an exposed transom. Also when I looked through the 6" access hole noticed no bilge pumps. Had them cut away and make access port larger. took out a 6" plastic hatch and replaced with this,
Boat also had no wash down pump. Came up with a quicker install and no holes in the hull. I like no holes in the hull! Also they added the pick up bracket and 1 more anode mount.
Here is the repair on the roof Colin saw when we met both sides done,
Along with welding a few screw holes someone put in the hull to hold cables and welding on some tie points all went well! Now off to see Bob.
Tow over to Bainbridge Island to see Bob @Omakase for some bottom work. Boat had bottom paint but was peeling and chipping off. As all the post have been Bob and his crew did an awesome job and knocked this out as they had some room in their schedule. While they were doing their work it showed an issue with the starboard lower end had some cracks in it. Bob called informed me of the issue (great communication!) we came up with a plan and moved on. Left the cracks exposed to see if we could get them welded. In the end replaced the lower end. Also added zincs to trim tabs and they hooked me up with new bottom zincs.
Better picture on Bob's FB page,
Now with these items done town down to Westport to start work on all the other systems. At this point complete work is new navigational lighting all around, mounted and wired wash down pump, 2 new bilge pumps, port engine - pulled lower end, replaced water pump, changed gear oil, compression check, replace fuel filter, internal zincs, Oil, filter and spark plugs all showed little signs of wear. Starboard engine replace lower end, replaced water pump, changed gear oil, compression check, replace fuel filter, internal zincs, Oil, filter and spark plugs all showed little signs of wear I did have to pull the old lower unit apart for the 25" drive shaft as the new lower end had a 20" shaft.
Mounted everything on a removable plate for easy access. went from no pumps to 3300 gph hopefully never needed.
Again huge thank you to @goatram for getting me on the road and @Omakase and @Nick Rudnick for all the support and getting the boat through your shops in a timely manner.
Whole thing started with a call from a friend. 2005 26' Pacific skiff with twin Suzuki 140. Boat has been sitting 2 years due to a seized bearing on the trailer for two years. Call the guy and he is selling to first guy who has the money (I'm 3.5 hours away) screw it I will wire you $500.00 to hold it till I can come up the next day. He is good with that!
Next Call @goatram because boat is close to his place. Ask if I need to drag it some place if he had storage space till I could get trailer fixed? John asked a couple of questions and then a hour or so later calls me back and informs me what needs to happen. John went over to this guys house and checked out the trailer issue with out me asking just did it. (outstanding to say the least!) Next day he is on board to meet me at the place and proceeded to help me with the trailer. It was more like I stood there and help when he needed something handed to him. Ran in to a couple small issues and did not get the boat moved day 1. John said no problem I will come back tomorrow finish it and bring it to his place. Next thing I get the call and he has stripped down the tires, pulled the calipers and had stuff on order. I was looking for a quick storage space and John went so far above and beyond my head is still spinning! Got all the brakes working then had so actuator issues that he jumped on it and got me on the road!
All I can say is Thank You @goatram /John you rocked this and I really appreciated all your help and knowledge!
After John's a short tow to Lynnwood and crashed out a buddies house for the Saturday evening as it is now about 14 hours in to a long day and need to go to the welding shop for some items I wanted done.
Sunday cruise down to @Nick Rudnick and Colin Rudnick's shop in Ballard. Colin was great to meet me on a Sunday morning (on Saturday seafood fest was blocking roads in Ballard) drop off boat and go over my wish list to see what we could make happen. While looking at boat Colin notices a couple of other issues nothing major but lets deal with them while it is here. About a week later get the call will be done in a day or so. Great to know so I can plan its next stop. Below a few items the boys and Rudnick completed,
Added 8 rod holders per side
No fish box in floor so added tie down points for large cooler or half tote
Added 4 real downrigger mounts. Existing mounts were just bolted through the gunnel with no back plates.
Next was the tow post was about 5.5' off the deck. Had them cut it down and they suggested a nice flat plat for either a downrigger, bait table, or rod holder base. with the plate on there I can change use depending on fishery! Bait table won and waiting for it to come back from powder coating.
The next one was the bigger item. I have never understood why these companies use plastic hatch cover on an exposed transom. Also when I looked through the 6" access hole noticed no bilge pumps. Had them cut away and make access port larger. took out a 6" plastic hatch and replaced with this,
Boat also had no wash down pump. Came up with a quicker install and no holes in the hull. I like no holes in the hull! Also they added the pick up bracket and 1 more anode mount.
Here is the repair on the roof Colin saw when we met both sides done,
Along with welding a few screw holes someone put in the hull to hold cables and welding on some tie points all went well! Now off to see Bob.
Tow over to Bainbridge Island to see Bob @Omakase for some bottom work. Boat had bottom paint but was peeling and chipping off. As all the post have been Bob and his crew did an awesome job and knocked this out as they had some room in their schedule. While they were doing their work it showed an issue with the starboard lower end had some cracks in it. Bob called informed me of the issue (great communication!) we came up with a plan and moved on. Left the cracks exposed to see if we could get them welded. In the end replaced the lower end. Also added zincs to trim tabs and they hooked me up with new bottom zincs.
Better picture on Bob's FB page,
Now with these items done town down to Westport to start work on all the other systems. At this point complete work is new navigational lighting all around, mounted and wired wash down pump, 2 new bilge pumps, port engine - pulled lower end, replaced water pump, changed gear oil, compression check, replace fuel filter, internal zincs, Oil, filter and spark plugs all showed little signs of wear. Starboard engine replace lower end, replaced water pump, changed gear oil, compression check, replace fuel filter, internal zincs, Oil, filter and spark plugs all showed little signs of wear I did have to pull the old lower unit apart for the 25" drive shaft as the new lower end had a 20" shaft.
Mounted everything on a removable plate for easy access. went from no pumps to 3300 gph hopefully never needed.
Again huge thank you to @goatram for getting me on the road and @Omakase and @Nick Rudnick for all the support and getting the boat through your shops in a timely manner.
