Best Of

So not the most energetic project.. I have 4500 series 1 controller that they no longer sell the cover for. Mine looked like trash and aggravated me every time I took the boat out. Got some chrome wrap and a new decal. Not as good as new but much better. 

Another productive day.
I installed the new cap and rotors. I put a light coat of dielectric grease around the base of the cap to seal it off. Port side definitely would’ve gave me issues if I kept it in. Starboard side was very clean. I can’t stress enough how important it is to go around and tighten your clamps! I couldn’t believe how many I was able to tighten up (multiple turns). I noticed that there were two areas under the port engine that were wet. I investigated and found 2 leaks. One was at a line that had a crimp clamp on it. I tried to tighten it with a crimp tool, it didn’t work so I just double clamped it. (Why do they use those!) The second one was at the water drain tube. I tightened both clamps and it was still dripping. I tightened more and no luck, it was driving me crazy. Now I went and looked at the bottom of the tube with a mirror and I couldn’t believe it. There was a pin hole in the tube!! I’m glad I found this now and not when it got worse out on a trip. Tube is ordered, $107.00!! Last season I noticed that my starboard oil pressure would do some bouncing every once in a while, so I changed that. Turns out the previous owner had it replaced with an aftermarket one. Was all rusted also. I went and replaced the port side as well. That had the correct one installed. I also cleaned the spark arrestors, they were pretty dirty I was thinking about replacing them because there’s still some debris stuck in the folds of the screens after cleaning them with brake cleaner. I probably won’t replace because they’re crazy expensive!!!!!

Grady is mostly bottom painted, still have to do the engine bracket and brush the spots that are too tight for a roller. I have to find a broken wire for the trim/tilt on the remote (engine switch still works and I rigged a quick external switch) and might change the transducer, but other than wax that will probably be the first one to get wet.

Actually just took a run on the New River. Last time out had to be towed in, 18 gallons of water removed from the fuel. Still have some old gas I am burning off. Uneventful other than a sighting of a Manatee pod. Great day 

LaRea said:

Is it still winter, or is everybody too busy doing spring prep work?

100%. My list is huge, and we're finally getting warm enough here to work on the boat. The big ones this year for me are solar bimini, outdrive steering pin, bellows & gimbal bearing, impeller pump conversion, washdown pump installation, full polish, and maybe new flooring. I also have dozens (upon dozens) of smaller items, but all of them deferrable if I don't get the big ones done. I'll be quite busy right up until splash day, hopefully mid-May, but no later than the 21st for a long holiday weekend on the water. 

This was done in April of 2021 and still looks great. But now I have some new spots to do.

I used Bondo. Cleaned the corrosion and old filler where needed then Bondo. Once painted, I let it sit for a couple days then polished with polishing compound. As you can see, I didn’t tape off around the areas that needed paint. By doing this it allows the paint to feather into the old paint and blends them perfectly. No hard paint lines. The polishing compound gets it nice and smooth. 

For every thru-hull, the strainer comes off to get stripped, primed and painted.  It's like nothing I've ever experienced.  Chris Bryan Boat Restoration