Hull extension

Billy · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:50 am Post subject:

Roger,
Maybe going to bunks would be easier. Guys are having good luck with surfacing the bunks with that white plastic cutting board mat'l. Either way, sounds like a good sized project.

Bill

dogon dory · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:29 pm Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

rogerbum · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 10:01 pm Post subject:

Well I worked hard today. The new transom and propulsion design is almost complete. Sea trials and pictures on Saturday!

Cutty Sark · Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:13 am Post subject:

Where are you going to test her at? I have to put some more hours on my new hull htis weekend. If you need someone to take some running shots let me know. Smile

Sark

Overload · Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:08 am Post subject:

Billy,

This is quite a project and a nice job! Lots of intestinal fortitude........I guess guts is the proper word. Sure hope it works out well, and if it does, there will probably be some followers.

The shop looked sorta familiar plus a major fiberglass job, so was wondering if Plaschem, in Anchortown was doing your work? Have known Floyd and Randy for many moons and know they do a lot of glass work on all types and sizes of boats.

Best of luck with the launch and test run!

Doug........still without a ride

Billy · Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 12:04 pm Post subject:

Dan,
I hadn't heard about the trapped sand on bunks. Good to know but wouldn't that also be true of carpet? Makes rollers seem like the thing to do.
Sark,
The more the merrier but the run up from Washington to Prince William Sound might be more time on your new hull than you planned. Weather doesn't look good for this weekend anyway.
Roger,
OK, time to give up the surprise. What'd you do?
Doug,
Plaschem was interested but in the end, too busy to take on any new work, I guess when you're good that's what happens.
All,
I'm going to need at least another week to get this together for sea trials and that would take flawless progress. Pesky job keeps getting in the way.
Axle addition almost done, then on to remounting engines.

Bill

Cutty Sark · Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 12:21 pm Post subject:

Billy- Too funny, I was actually talking to roger since he lives in the same area. Wish I could make it up there, but yeah that wouls be a looong run. Laughing

Sark

SeaSpray · Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 2:00 pm Post subject:

Sark,
I was looking at your pics and I see that you have a bracket for the kicker. I have been considering a kicker bracket. Does yours have a brand name and if so could you post it?

Thanks,
Steve

Billy · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:44 am Post subject:

A little update...
Been trying to do this between job and husbandly duties so progress has been slow, but here's the latest.
The new axle is on, fender mounts fabricated and paint drying on the fenders.
Both motors are mounted with the main now ready to go. Had to get a longer steering cable. Went to a local boat dealer and the cost of the cable I needed was $200. and a complete kit was $150. So now I've got a 19' complete system I don't need.
I am running all new fuel lines for both engines just because I didn't like where the pump bulbs were located. They'll be more conveinient now. Will be installing a new fuel tank selector switch since the original disintegrated when I removed it prior to the remodel.
New transducer installed just inboard of the Starboard trim tab, I got a new color fishfinder for Xmas. I think it will be OK there, time will tell.
Installed a drain line from the old splashwell outboard thru the hull extension. This will drain the new fishwell.
NOTE,NOTE, NOTE!!!!!! Had to raise the kicker because the distance between the steering attachment point and the new swim step (top) was not sufficient to fully tilt the kicker. I'm going to beef up the kicker attachment point to offset this problem but you folks thinking about this modification may want to allow for this.
Pretty much it for now, there are a couple more new pics but nothing too exciting.
Bill

New Hampshire Guy · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:06 am Post subject:

I think this whole thing is pretty exciting...

Please keep us posted as you can. We all know you're busy.

(Can you imagine if you could get a video of your test run... it would probably be the most watched thing on the C-Brats to date!)

Best of luck!

Billy · Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:17 pm Post subject:

Done enough to go out!!!! If the weather co-operates I'll be heading out the 18th and hope to catch the 10:30 tunnel but at the latest the 11:30 opening. Anyone wishing, who can get the day off is most welcome and I'd really like the company to help in the comparisons and maybe a few photos of other boats so I can evaluate the changes.
Did everything proposed in the previous post with no known problems, sea trials should bring those out. Did a temporary fix-it for the kicker mount but have a pretty good idea for the final solution.
Minor detail but may help someone out, had to extend the bilge pump hose and had to fabricate an extension for the transom saver. Neither was a big deal since I was lucky enough to have the mat'ls on hand.
Still have to fabricate the new oversized fuel tanks and a hatch cover for the new fishwell but I think that does it for this modification.
Since this modification was intended to offset the added weight of motors and fuel, I may put on a couple of 15 gallon barrels of extra fuel for simulation purposes.

B~C · Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:28 pm Post subject:

boy, one thing if nothing else that additon sure turned out looking sharp.. I'll bet it works as well as it looks, looking forward to reading about the results

tpbrady · Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:11 pm Post subject:

Billy,

Can't make it on the 18th since I will be in the garden spot of Bethel and won't be back until Friday. Let me know if you have a backup day.

Billy · Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 2:06 am Post subject:

Tom,
No idea just when I'll be able to escape again. I have to wait for my bride to drop her guard. When she's not looking, I'm otta there. Could be a tough summer for boating though because she wants me to build her a house and I don't think I can get out of it. I'll let you know.

Billy

Billy · Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:42 pm Post subject:

I'm back from 200 miles of sea trials and I'm totally sold on this extension. My original reasons for doing this extension was because I kept adding more weight, and intended to add more. The Beer:Thirty began to feel like it was squatting at the stern and when pulling pots in heavier seas, I got a little splashing happening over the splashwell. Not anymore.
I loaded up the boat so that I could tell if this would really be what I wanted it to be. I had two guys and all of their food and gear for 4 days, 75 gallons of fuel, 5 gallons of water, shrimp pots, line, weights and buoys, and about 6 gallons of beer. No record, but a good average.
The extension felt like it restored the resting attitude of the original, lighter boat. It popped up on step at 11 to 13 MPH and cruised all day long at 21 MPH and 4 MPG. Turns felt a little more crisp and there was a lot of comfort in the enclosed splashwell. I didn't notice any adverse changes as we lost weight to consumed fuel, water and beer.
The room this modification produced is worth it all by itself. Besides providing a large work top area, I didn't need an ice chest and there was still plenty of room for fish and 4 days worth of garbage (in a trash bag of course).
I didn't get a chance to try it out in a following sea since it was so nice out there, but the feel of the boat leaves me with the feeling that it won't be a problem.
I also didn't get any running shots since we had the whole Sound to ourselves.
I think I've already posted the things I would do differently and I didn't find anything new I'd change on this trip.
I'd do it again, in a heart beat.

Billy