1977 Orrion becoming an ocean animal

[Bubbasboat]

Great looking boat!!

 

[mercurymang]

Man that looks like fun. Awesome boat.

 

[Sea Stomper]

Thanks. Yea, this is the great thing about most of the modifications and builds found on this site. When you are done, you have a boat that you could never really find anywhere for any price. In my case, I have a boat that fits in almost any standard garage, with radar and antennas, that can be trailered with a little passenger car along with many other things on the plus side including low cost to run and the list goes on. Some of the other builds here are so amazing in workmanship that it defies explanation.

 

[schweizer]

First post on this forum. Glad I found your thread -- it kept me reading for the last 45 mins. Amazing build. Sure looks very seaworthy now. Until you posted the pic of your boat next to "Fishy Business" in Eureka harbor, I didn't really realize how small that boat is. I just went salmon fishing on Fishy Business with Matt (owner) 2 weeks ago. 6 of us friends from Grants Pass, Yreka, and Redding limited w/ 15-20 pounders easily in 5 hours. Thanks for all the pics and video. Threads like this are a lot of fun.

Marcus

 

[GT1000000]

The electronics are looking great and seem to be working beautifully!
I would hardly ever get any fishing done from playing with all that stuff...:watermelon:

Have you ever had the opportunity to try out the re-positionable cabin roof ventilation system?

Oh and another question...How much more would it take to hook up an auto pilot system?

All the best,
Gus

 

[Sea Stomper]

Hi GT1M! Yea, last season I was using it with the roof back a little. On that October tuna trip I fished the whole day with it back two notches, giving me about a 4 inch opening all around. I have to pull it all the way back to open the bow for refueling. I can do that in the garage and take the tanks down to the gas station or just do it at the gas station. It's a nice little option but an openable hatch or window would be nice. I didn't do it because at the time I didn't want to think about custom designed opening windows or buying hatches that might have to be returned. I do a little fiddling with electronics while out in the ocean fishing but I find myself just fishing most of the time instead. Had a few occasions to need and use the radar in pretty dense fog and it is really nice to have.

And yea, I have thought about auto piloting it. If I do that I will likely convert it to hydraulic steering. Much easier to deal with installing an autopilot that way, but that might be a season or two away. I've pretty much decided this is my retirement boat so I can think ahead in longer terms about it's future. That's what's cool about gutting and putting new insides in these things like stringers and transoms that will last.

Hope your projects are coming along!!

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard hagfan: And congrats on grabbing your Orrion.

Please read our FORUM RULES if you haven't already. We ask that you don't post in a thread over 90 days old unless you're the original poster. Besides, get your own topic going and you can post us photos of your boat ... we like that kinda' thing.