Made a quick trip on the ICW

Today I took out my dad and son on the Intercoastal. The trailer mods worked great. Also over the past few weeks I rebuilt the bow. I ended up cutting out the original stem and replaced it with a pressure treated 4x4 cut to the angle of the boat. I also picked up a new heavy duty bow eye from West Marine. This all worked great. Oh I forgot to mention that the Virginia Dep't. of Game and Inland Fisheries accepted my boat and it is now registered and legal! Anyways I hope to make a few more trips out before I have to winterize the motor. Next trip the fishing poles are coming.

It floats!!!

Tonight we launched on the Intercoastal Waterway. This boat performed great. My wife and kids joined me and we got a top speed of 28 mph. Not bad for a wooden boat. It handled really smooth even in some slight chop. When we were recovering the trailer had some issues so tomorrow I have some work to do on it. I am attaching a video and some pictures...enjoy!

Console is in

I built a console and rigged it over the weekend. I rigged all of the controls through PVC under the floor. Last night I traced the wire harness and everything worked on the first try. We should be taking it out to the Intercoastal Waterway Thursday or Friday. More pics coming.

On the trailer and ready to float

Today Kaylan and I painted the inside. I rounded up a few friends to lift it on the trailer and install the motor. It wasn't as bad as we all thought. Tomorrow I will start the console. Thanks for the help Kaylan, Brandon, Chuck, Justin and Mike.

Ready to go on the trailer!!!

Over the past few days, I installed the gunwales. I then coated them with epoxy resin and they got a coat of paint. I painted the rub rails and bow as well. Today I picked up a 40 HP Yamaha on Craigslist that came with a helm, control cables and binnacle. Hopefully tomorrow (with the help of some friends) we will put it on the trailer and install the motor.

Floor boards in

So this weekend I installed the flooring. I used standard salt treated decking. I am not sure I will paint or stain and seal it. I also have not decided on filling the 1/8" gaps between the boards with epoxy. More to come soon.

Inside pics

Over the past week i installed the rub rails and front deck. Under the deck will be storage for the anchor and life jackets. I also picked up a trailer on Craigslist for for a bargain. Maybe a test float this weekend!!!