Dialing it In

[da.bell]

Something like this would look great... But with a little more effort than a lousy .Net Paint program

[ragboy]

Just a suggestion but i work at a machine shop and highly suggest to counter sink and through bolt through the aluminum because aluminum does not hold threads very well it doesnt take much to pull the threads out. It only takes one wave to put pressure on the platform. if you are going to tap it use a helio coil thread insert.
i would through bolt with stainless steel bolts and then use high strength locktite on the bolts, so then you never have to worry about it getting riped off from the huge waves you produce.

Our plan was to do through bolts. The wood prototype got ripped up when we slowed and the HUGE wave came up to the boat, so we experienced the issue. If we were going to tap, we were going to use inserts. My dad is doing most of the work, and he is also retired from a machine shop. So I am trusting him, I told him if it sinks, he has to get it. JK.

[ragboy]

ok, its all sanded and routed and mounted. This thing ain't going anywhere. Through bolted and countersunk. I just have to get the gator grip on and put in the water. The gator grip looks too LIGHT, the blue isn't dark enough with the white in between. I am just going to live with it for now, and get some black, and redo.

Either way, I am happy the way it came out. It is PERFECTLY smooth on the bottom. I can't wait to get on the water some time this week.













I guess I am going to have to try to see if I can do ballast in house, or just wait til next season, I can't wait anymore to get the boat in the water. Doing this step, and the lift and all that stuff took all of my time.

[Jason B]

That deck looks like it belongs on a Sherman Tank. You get the award for most creative way to mask/hide your ballast. It will look pretty good when you cover it. Hope it works like you wanted.

[xpjim1]

Looking good there. Cant wait to see the picks and hopefully a great surf wave

[Carter13]

Looks great.

[ragboy]

I was planning on throwing the blue gator grip on there, even though I didn't like it to get on the water. But I got a nasty cold, along with the rest of the family, and then 2 more weeks of cold and rain. So I ordered the black grip and finished it right. The new lift is installed this week, and the boat goes in the water this week, very excited, and the step is complete and looks great.

[ajholt7]

That looks awsome

[Carter13]

It really looks awesome.

[larryueckert]

good job ragboy looks awsome

[Timmy!]

Nice job! It looks factory!

[dozzerdude]

cheaper than a F.A.E.

this might be goffy foot foward, but it might just work? take a 4" fernco coupler slip that over the exhaust with a 90* elbow {slip by bell) pipe to a san tee fitting, fernco to 2nd exhaust then pipe to the edge of the hull ABS pipe will take the hot water. if it ever stops raining in oregon im going to try this out. we have ABS 45* on the exhaust now. it has cut down on the exhaust noise.

[formandfunction]

Ragboy,I don't know how I missed this thread month after month but your deck looks killer.Let us know how it works out.

[samw]

excellent work!!!!

[ragboy]

Thanks, can't wait to get it out either.