Georgia , Bethlehem area
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It’s gunwale day today. On a pontoon, that would be known as the fence I suppose. I’ll get a pic or two soon.
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Camera angles sort of distort the measurements, so they are…
Bow to fence, 2.5’
Inside of fence, 12’
stern to fence 5.5’
I thought about centering the 12’ fence length, but with the rear console and transom notch, I needed to shift things forward. 2.5’ should be enough space for the captain’s chairs in the front without worrk. And I am going much more squared on the bow corners than before, so there will be more real estate at the corners. So far so good and no major isues as yet. As yet…
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Thanks my friend, I like it so far. So yes, captains chairs on the four corners, and two inside the playpen (console and across the street from console). Ahead of the console will be a 55" seat, and on the port side front of the playpen will be a 55" and a 28" seat. So there will be ample room for six to travel within the playpen. Laws and safety, you know…
The two main batteries will be inside the console rather than the rear as before. The fuel tank will be centered inside that rear console/live well. The two trolling motor batteries will be in the 28" seat base directly across the street from the console, for balance. The two 55" bases will be general storage.
As for bimini, yet to be determined. We may just want all open for fishing.
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That looks sweet man!!
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Still much to do…
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No pictures today because everything was ‘behind the scenes’.
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Replaced the starter and motor ground cables today (originals were too short since everything met in the transom the old way and now they meet in the console). Installed and connected the throttle, shifter, and steering cables to the motor again.
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Routed and connected the main wiring harness and NMEA2k engine interface cable.
This completes the wiring and mechanic connections for the basic operation of the boat, as well as the engine interface data for the Lowrance. There is a box full of wires and harnesses I no longer need, which is awesome. Only thing left motor-wise is the new fuel line from the new tank which is sometime next week.
Tomorrow I plan to mount and connect the main batteries in the console, so I can operate the trim function to see how far back I will be able to mount the rear console and not worry about the motor hitting it at full trim.
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Midday update-
It is alive. Got the electrical buses installed and completed cabling. Installed one battery to test. Switch panel lit up and read voltage properly. Horn works (never did before). Stereo powers on but no speakers yet connected. Most importantly, trim now works. And I did a quick crank test and the ignition appears to be working too. It’s as if it was never disconnected. Now I also know where I can mount the rear console.
Now off to run the NMEA 2K network and the trolling motor. Getting close!
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Over the course of the build, the boat has moved forward on the trailer about 5 inches… Once I removed the front bunks and trim, there was a gap between the boat and the trailer and I probably cranked the winch to take out the slack at some point.
Anyone have any ideas for how to slide the boat back a few inches on the trailer? Lord knows I can’t get to a boat ramp.
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Come-along to a tree?
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Last update until it is finished. We have had storms threatening for a few days now, and I didn’t expect to get a thing done until Monday. But, it’s largely held off so I’ve been able to get some stuff done that I didn’t expect.
Some little stuff like half the deck trim (new because the old C-channel did not fit on anymore plus the deck is ‘longer’ due to a much smaller front corner radius). Anchored all the remaining seat bases and backs down. Drilled out the speaker wire runs, shit like that. And got a couple big things done- mounted the trolling motor batteries and ran the cabling. Installed two of the three battery tenders. They are plugged in via the new side plug on the seat base and working, so that’s cool. And the trolling motor plug reads 24v as expected so that’s cool too.
Tomorrow if the weather allows, I want to get the rear console/aerator/fuel system/tank installed. After that, it’s really down to trim and shields and it will be done. Only thing remaining at that point would be speakers and party lights which I don’t care if they get done for this trip or not.
So, next update, unless something big goes wrong, will be more or less the finished product.
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Well, it’s done! I can’t believe it either. And perhaps the biggest surprise, everything works. It was sitting -with the fuel line removed- since October, but nonetheless once I got the fuel system installed and put in gas, it fired on the 4th crank and seems to be perfect. Steers, throttles, goes into gear, starts and stops like it should. NMEA 2k network is fully functioning. Live well works and is plumbed. Navigation and party lights work. Stereo works and sounds good.
Moving the boat back for the front trim, as I mentioned before, turned out to be easy. Took Dan’s advice and wet the bunks. Put the trailer on the van hitch and a come-along on the Durango at the rear. Inched the Durango forward a bit and the boat easily slid back the 6 inches I needed.
No pic yet, as I want to get some same-perspective before and after shots on the lake, to more easily show the changes.
I really can’t believe it, but it’s done.
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Looking mighty fine there man!
Saw a pontoon being towed earlier today, and thought about ya. lol
Anything left to do, or are these final shots?
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Final until I get some water shots anyway. Thanks!
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Looks awesome mate, I am a little disappointed you didn’t go with the Jacuzzi but it has come up a treat, well done.
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Funny thing… I thought for sure there was going to be a second (upper) deck with a canopy and a brothel…
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Alright you two, have your fun.
Oh, and this is the one and only time I will ever do such an evil project. Would have been easier by far 20 years ago…
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That’s probably very true.
Well, along with some pics of the boat on the water, I hope to get this thread back to the finned friends this whole crazy project was intended to help land. I definitely hope to have some nice fishy pics for you next week (calm down Sparky and Jagger).
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I’m curious about that, but not because I want any attaboys or crap like that. I’ve not had any comments on the old boat (likely because it is as cookie cutter as any out there), but I wonder if people even notice other people’s boats in general. I figure, if anything, people may ask what manufacturer/model it is because there aren’t any retail six captain chair fishing pontoon models out there. And mine has no maker’s label anymore. The only one I ever commented on was a $75k brand new pontoon that was docked next to mine (made mine look like a beat up jalopy). That thing was decked out to the max. But, a cruiser model again. The guy was happy to talk about it too, which I can’t blame him for at all.
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Well, if it happens I will let you know. Even if someone thinks it look stupid.
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