Semi-Maiden voyage!

S

snal

New member
I'm off to the lake for the semi-maiden voyage of "Thelma Lou". We did tool around for a couple of hours 2 weeks ago, but she's all cleaned up now, new trim motor, new control cables, fresh fuel, and adorned with her new name. I also want to try out the new canopy frame at the docks, I might end up raising it a bit
Pics soon!
 
Oooops!...forgot to hit "post" before we left. We just got back to the shop, so pics will be a bit later. The newly cleaned hull did 2mph faster than the old dirty, slimey, growth infested hull. The new control cables made a world of difference! Lake levels were down 7 feet!....so we had to launch at a nearby public landing. A storm blew thru last night, and dropped a few trees on top of vehicles/campers at a nearby campground, but we were lucky...high winds...but no damages. "Thelma Lou" drew a crowd, as this type of boat is rarely seen in this area.
A few pics to follow....after I replace the A/C belt that parted ways with the wife's van.
 
Thanks for posting the pic Gary....the pic posting thingamabob didn't cooperate with me.
I think I'm going to raise the cockpit section of the roof frame about 8-10", and add support legs at the aft corners of the cabin. The cooler rack worked very well.
 
Snal,

This may sound rude, but guys like you really irk me....You've got more talent in your little finger than I have in my entire body!

Your boat looks GREAT! And to think you did all the work in something like one weekend...aaarrrggghhhh.

Thank goodness God blessed me with good looks. Well, at least the ability to tell a lie with a straight face. :wink:

Keep us posted. Your positive postings are really uplifting and your handiwork is a pleasure to view.
 
Geeez!...thanks Sarge! The frame may have been done in a weekend, but the hull scrubing took several evenings. I really enjoy customizing stuph, and making older things look new again, but 6+ hours every evening for 2 weeks sure took it's toll my my body, and I'm stubborn about doing things by myself. It'll likely take several weeks for me to recover.
Next will be a hinged cover over the fuel tank area that will swing out and have folding legs to make a rear bench seat.
 
wow you did a great job with that boat ! Can't wait to see what all else you'll do before we see it at the gathering ! You didn't say much about the rest of your trip...? Plus I didn't see any with a top on that new frame...hint hint.. Congrats ! Tracy "Dragonfly"
 
I have to agree with Sarge! I've been working far too long on getting my motor fixed for the 27' and here you put that top together in a weekend! Sheesh!

Of course, 20 years ago I would have had the boat running by now. But I wouldn't have been able to afford the parts back then! Can't win I guess!
 
Dragonfly":3gkp94b3 said:
wow you did a great job with that boat ! Can't wait to see what all else you'll do before we see it at the gathering ! You didn't say much about the rest of your trip...? Plus I didn't see any with a top on that new frame...hint hint.. Congrats ! Tracy "Dragonfly"
Click to expand...

Well, we were only on the water for a few hours on sunday. Our campground had their annual cookout on saturday, and we had to tow to the next landing to launch due to the low lake level. We spent those few hours mostly cruising around at 15-18 mph, and deliberately hitting wakes to see how much flex there was in my framework.
We're getting a new canvas maker in town in a few weeks, moving up from the coast, and I've been in touch with him about making our enclosure. It's difficult to find someone around here that has alot of boat canvas experience.
I cut the roof frame last night, so that I can raise the cockpit section. I also added 2 support legs that I mounted to the water diverter area of the gunnels at the rear of the cabin. I hope to raise the cockpit section tonight.
 
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