But a few evenings, weekends between work, functions and the rain...oh the rain. Beautiful all day long...get stuck a couple hours...its still nice till I get to boat BAM a torrential downpour; how many times could that possible happen? I lost count already. Then of course with the rain is mow the fields of grass or hear the wrath of the Mrs. In truth that is more me, it just makes house look so sloppy...anyway finally making some headway.
Last Sunday I finished the bilge...I was going to hit middle section and upper sides and the muffler area, but figured stay on track. Get boat in and running, then I can always double back. Amazing how project can just grow quickly.
After getting bilge done, it was a call to gent helping me install,
Monday morning, Memorial day at 7:30 he met me at shop to pickup a motor for install.
Motor placed and bolted on a pallet, ready to go.
It went in with little issue...that is after a few seconds with a sawzall. Most likely we could have got it to fit, but this way it was a straight drop instead of going in at an angle.
We first tried on the Starboard side, got it real close. Motor looked good with clearance needed, then it was back up and over to the Port side, its new home position.
This motor does not have a trolling valve...figured it was easier to deal with trolling valve cable on helm side as its less of a run and straighter.
BUT since motor was down there, making sure of no surprises later, I asked that we verify it fits.
Anyway, it is in, rough aligned to the old shaft setup at 10 deg.
Now have to bring it down about 2" and tweak angle a hair to gain prop clearance.
Also looks like my old shaft log will work.
Thought I was buying or making/glassing a new one in.
But extended opening in hull a bit forward allowed shaft enough drop, angle and clearance look good.
To utilize, I'll just weld a piece to extend back a bit further, should seal well.
Now I just have to add new stuffing gland supplied by a friend here...ta da that part should be good to go.
Now I have measurements to make the Motor mount risers
Have measurement to move forward with struts.
Looks like 2-1/2" longer is the number to achieve clearance...but need to check taper and hub length...it would be nice if I could pull the wheel
Started on the cutless barrels, all 316L SS.
Its not going at the pace I had hoped for, but it's going...
But an upside is I have had the opportunity to enjoy OPB.
That is something I have not enjoyed in a good long time.
Saturday morning we did a Boat Parade/Blessing of the Fleet on a friends Albamarle.
Got back to the dock in time for pick-EE's and drinks on another friends Trawler.
As Pick-EE's dwindles and appetites increased, it was a last minute decision for a dock and dine on another friends 38 Henriques.
OPB- Other Peoples Boats can be a true pleasure at times.
PS- We were not being a boat whores jumping from ship to ship with every new invite...it was mostly the same people migrating boat to boat hitting the one that fit best.
