Recent content by 83bluefin

  1. 8

    View of unloaded trailer with pickups

    I tow with a Ram which has tow mirrors. It also has a very nice backup camera so no need to put the tailgate down. I still rely on my mirrors and I key off my spare tire mounted to the side of the trailer. So my very simple advice…move the spare tire mount so you can catch it in the side mirror.
  2. 8

    Inherited boat, how bad is this?

    You have up to this point what I assume is $0 purchase price. And you know the history of the boat. So you invest $3-5k into it and you know it’s solid and has family ties. Now, let’s say you pass this boat on and instead invest that $3-5k into a used boat. After first launch you find out the...
  3. 8

    Bed liner for fiberglass hull

    Bedliner? I wouldn’t but that’s just me…I don’t like unplanned swimming events. Soft floor, no bilge? I wouldn’t even launch it till it was properly repaired. If you want to see structure of the boat, check out this YouTube’r… Not saying he did it right, as I don’t agree with some of the...
  4. 8

    1983 Blue Fin 16’ Resto

    Yeah sides are getting painted with Pettit Ez Poxy. Gotta get the adhesive off as I can feel the ridge left from it. Gonna get some Xylene, a couple respirator cartridges, and some chem resistant gloves to see where that gets me. Plan B is to have a mobile media blaster swing by and get the...
  5. 8

    1983 Blue Fin 16’ Resto

    I heard it somewhere that it’s good luck to sacrifice a tool to the boat building gods. I present my 3/8 drill bit. Snapped when I was trying to enlarge the slot to take a 3/8” buttonhead bolt. It really hurt when the drill kicked my hand into the wheel hub. Probably going to have a bruise...
  6. 8

    1983 Blue Fin 16’ Resto

    While I could do that, my goal is to have this as easy to launch and retrieve as possible for my sons. It’s the main reason there’s a set of Boat Buckles waiting to go on the trailer. My thought process is as my sons get older and want to go camping on their own…and drag a boat with them…that...
  7. 8

    1983 Blue Fin 16’ Resto

    Yeah. They’re being replaced with flip-up cleats. Retro-mod to use the car scene lingo. Bow eye is old school small. Still attached and functional, just small. So modern big hooks eat up realestate quickly. Need to purchase a bow safety strap to use…chain is old/rusted and the spring hook is...
  8. 8

    1983 Blue Fin 16’ Resto

    Tried out a couple different pedestal heights at Sportsman’s Warehouse. Settled on 13” fixed height. Also tested seats. High backs are good for the cockpit and mid are good for the rear bench that will pull out and convert the bow and stern to casting seats….much like modern fish & ski boats do...
  9. 8

    1983 Blue Fin 16’ Resto

    Yeah Ryerson is the biggy. Onlinemetals looks promising too. Smaller sheets would be ok but the longer angles may be an issue. May have to resort to Home Depot for those.
  10. 8

    1983 Blue Fin 16’ Resto

    Near Buffalo NY. I may have to do this in small pieces. Those I can find online somewhat reasonable.
  11. 8

    1983 Blue Fin 16’ Resto

    Measured 3x, templated 2x, and cut once. It helped I had the very ends for the profile. Don’t worry…I have the floors, casting platform, face both consoles, both inside consoles, side beauty panels, and rear bench all to build. Lots of opportunities to expand my vocabulary ;) Anyone got a...
  12. 8

    Opinions on this welded aluminum hull

    I’ve seen those lines before…on brand new Trackers. Hadn’t even been sold yet, factory fresh. If it was a rental, I’d be running away. I’ve seen the “care” the exhibit while renting. Bumper boats anyone?
  13. 8

    1983 Blue Fin 16’ Resto

    Researched the sku on the mystery white plastic flooring. PVC sheet from Home Depot. 1/2” thick at nearly $100 a sheet. Yeah that’s coming out next. Whenever it stops raining…just had a thunderstorm roll through.
  14. 8

    1983 Blue Fin 16’ Resto

    Call it coat 4…Just trying to use up the paint mix I have. I honestly didn’t mix that much up as I had a feeling I was going to be in this exact spot…too much paint, too little to paint. Thinking I stop here for the day, let it sit and then sand to knock down the grain.
  15. 8

    1983 Blue Fin 16’ Resto

    I thought about it I truly did. Qt of Spar was $30. Tack in everything else and it’d be cheaper to use a runny polyester or epoxy….and that ain’t saving much. Split the difference…1:1 Mineral Spirits and Rustoleum Oil Based. I have 3 very liberal coats on it right now. Letting that all soak in...
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