T-minus 30 days.
And counting! :madgrin:
Here?s the deal: We?re leaving for vacation at oh-dark-early on 8 Jul 17. I want this Kingfisher to be completed, shakedown cruise performed and be absolutely reliable and ready to go by that date.
The goal is to have the boat DONE in 2 weeks.
And that?s a lot of work to finish in a short time! Mind you, my wife knows nothing about this. She think's I'm just working on the motor and transom. Shhh...
eep:
After the work is finished, I want to take the boat out and use it as much as possible prior to traveling so that I will trust it on the trip. If it's not trustworthy, it's not going. So a couple weeks of daily use can instill confidence! :lol:
Many things need to be done. Some are critical, like engine repairs, while others are simple functional upgrades such as storage solutions.
I ask that y?all prod me and keep me moving along and not slacking! :boink:
As I?d mentioned earlier, I?m all in now. And under the time pressure gun! :dizzy:
At one point it looked like it was going to cost $600 or more just to replace the deck. Even more for the rest! Not acceptable. :faint2:
I now have most everything needed to complete the job. And I was able to keep to a budget by making some changes to the original plan. Right now, I?m looking at only $350 costs for the entire refurbishment, including engine parts but not including tools that I have or will purchase. I needed the tools to do this job but they?ll come in handy for the Chieftain (once started) and for other home jobs as well.
We?ll be replacing the deck and so I bought 3 sheets of BCX sanded 15/32? plywood instead of marine grade. At $20 a sheet, it?s frugal and functional! And I?ll be using the OTF method to seal the deck just as I did for the transom. But instead of covering the deck with vinyl or carpet, I?ll be painting it with porch paint with anti-slip mixed in. The porch paint will also be used as trim color.
I?ll be using Tractor Paint and hardener to paint the hull exterior. And I'll use the ?roll and roll? method to paint the boat, both inside and out. The boat color will be changed from the original cream and green to a brighter gloss white with two-tone satin gray accent. The new color scheme will better match my wife?s SUV and the gray will reduce glare from the Florida sun. If possible, I?ll update the Starcraft decals too. And I have my eye on a light gray bimini top but that's outside the budget right now. We'll see how it goes.
New bracing will be installed on the sides to help stiffen the hull.
Under deck stiffening may be installed as well, depending on cost, method and input from the Starmada!
New storage solutions will be installed, including netting and rod holders.
Nav lighting will be wired and installed. None presently exists but I do have some components around.
Bilge pump will be installed. Again, none presently in the boat.
There?s more to be done like sealing holes and whatnot but I need to get started!
So for today:
Install casters onto engine stand.
Engine stuff
New water pump to be installed. All parts acquired and ready to go. After assembly, perform vacuum and pressure tests.
Carb cleaning to be done. Will buy gaskets and other parts as needed after disassembly.
That's it for now... I'm going outside to work! :nevreness:
A concept of the paint scheme.
