Once the markings and measurements were done we took the deck back off and placed the live wells into position. Since Mark had some self drilling stainless screws I used those to lock them into position for the fiberglass. When the initial fiberglass had dried the screws could be removed and the second layer applied covering the complete area. But by the time the first layer was cured we decided to leave the screws in place and glass over the top of them. Extra strength there = good.

Next item to work on was the improvements to the trailer winch area. The existing winch and stand were galvanized steel. I decided that I would go all out and build one from stainless. By the way did you know that stainless is expensive? Well I purchased a stainless double geared winch and all of the hardware from highlandrigging.com. While I was on the site a few other things tickled my fancy and I bought some folding steps and two different sizes of stainless rings. Next I fired up the computer and used Autocad to draw up a new winch platform. Another friend of mine, Bob, is an awesome welder. He used my drawing to make the two piece platform. I am starting to regret not having the holes drilled for the hardware though! The rubber stops were purchased at Walmart. *Another small tip: Many items that you can buy at your local marine store you can buy at Walmart for half to two thirds the price or less.

I was feeling pretty good about the 9 foot by 8 foot front deck when I came across another half-assed job. The last four inches of the front deck had been replaced with wood. And not good wood either. Out came the grinder and off went the rounded edges. I am pretty sure that the previous owner did not want to replace the nice factory corner so just fit a piece of wood under the existing glass. (That or he ran out of composite board and didn’t want to pay 200 bills for another sheet.)

By this time every piece of wood has been replaced except three. The two gunnels are still based on wood and the rear deck upright is still cored with 3/8” ply. I started cutting off one of the gunnels and broke off my reciprocating saw blade. Wow that stuff was tough! More than an inch thick and solid, solid, solid. I decided to leave the wood instead of replacing it. I coated them with resin and have a plan to fill the gunnels with foam.

The plan is to attach PVC pipe to the rod holders and cup the pop up cleats before pouring the foam. I will add a ¼” hose to the cup material so that water has a drain point from the cleats.

Update:
Today I did a bad thing…I spent A LOT of money! I had Chip from Florida Outboard come pick up my motor. He is going to bore and hone the cylinders, put in new pistons, seals, and all those “innards”. At the same time he will be freshening the carbs, replace the water pump and trim motor, putting in new plugs, wires and screens ect, ect, ect. How much is a lot of money? Well since my wife will be reading this I am not going to tell you. But I will add that I also ordered a hydraulic dual action jack plate and a very nice Matrix chart plotter. The chart plotter comes with a built in 4 NM map of the US and the FL set of blue charts, the speed indicator, GPS, temp probe, and dual sonar probes for finding fish. I elected not to buy the optional wireless probe that you can cast out with your pole. So I didn’t go completely nuts:)

Trailer winch assembly side view

Trailer winch assembly frontal view

Gunnel and Deck repair  first try

Another view of the resined foam

Mixture of fiberglass filings and resin

Resin-Fiberglass over foam and Nida-core

Closer view of repair (roughed in)