CONTINUOUSWAVE

Oldslowandugly

Or how about this: Drill a couple of holes right though the hatch just at the inside face of the bulkhead with about a foot between them. Get a couple of stainless steel pins with pan heads that are as long as the hatch is thick plus an inch. Glass the pins solidly into the hatch. Position them so t...

Oldslowandugly

It will still work. Do you know if the fiberglass is solid plastic- or wood covered in plastic? You can use wood and "glue" it to the fiberglass with some resin. Scuff the attachment point so it will have some "tooth". Or you can screw it on. Or use a stainless angle bracket and ...

Oldslowandugly

If that is what you want then go ahead. It is not a hard project. On my 15 footer the wiring block and plastic cover were missing so I had no choice but to build something new. I replaced the wiring that went forward to the bow and it was pretty easy to get under the rubrail. There is a wiring hole ...

Oldslowandugly

I would make a stop out of Mahogany or whatever the hatch is made of. It would only need to be an inch square and several inches long. Then screw it on to the underside of the hatch. Position it so it nudges the rear bulkhead. That should keep the hatch in place unless you hit a big wake or somethin...

Oldslowandugly

I had always watched Whalers from afar and longed for a ride. They just looked like the perfect fishing boat to me. So early one morning back in the 80's I was going out on a friend's 19 foot heap he docked in Freeport. Of course the battery was stone cold dead. To add insult to injury, when we clim...

Oldslowandugly

Do you have the stainless side rails? I have a 15 footer with the rails. I wanted to avoid screwing into the hull so I used stainless rail clamps to mount the Bimini top tubing to the rails. As a plus, that gave me some extra height and it gives you some mounting location flexibility .

Oldslowandugly

I was in the same situation as you. The OMC side controls are somewhat ambidextrous in that I was able to swap the throttle handle to the other side of the case. The cables still exited from the bottom of the case. I removed the key switch and kill switch and mounted them on the dash of the console....

Oldslowandugly

I've had small skiffs my whole life and usually they were tillers. But once I built a small side steering console and used remote controls I would not go back to tillers. A dedicated helm seat makes it a whole different boat.

Oldslowandugly

I have several Tempress folding boat seats and have loved them for over 30 years. Very durable. I recently noticed they offer a 48 inch wide folding bench seat. I think that would be terrific as a stern seat. I have a mahogany bench at my stern to cover gas tanks and stuff. This will fit nicely over...

Oldslowandugly

What a beauty! I hope you will save one for yourself too!

Oldslowandugly

That is absolutely why I sought and found a small Whaler. Even when big storms rage I sleep easy knowing it won't sink and will be found. When I was young and dumb I complained to an old timer that my boat was small. He replied that when a big boat gets into trouble- the first thing they do is climb...

Oldslowandugly

Not to worry. I ground off all the galvanizing at the weld area. I had to get down to clean metal anyway for good results. Because it is 1/4" wall thickness I also ground a kerf all the way around both sides of the weld area. That way I was assured good penetration. As a test I stood on the ext...

Oldslowandugly

Thanks for that Flymo. I was worried about causing a "hook" back at the stern. That's when the hull gets pushed up and stays that way. Anyway I had a decent weather day today and I went ahead and extended the trailer center beam back about a foot or so. That section I had removed years ago...

Oldslowandugly

I am re-balancing my SPORT 15 position on its trailer. The tongue weight somehow got excessive. I have moved the axle as far forward as I safely can. The only other action I can take is to move the hull rearward. I am contemplating extending the trailer's frame rearward for more play. At the moment ...

Oldslowandugly

I changed my 1980 35hp from remote to tiller also. I did not follow the factory wiring colors at the motor but the colors you noted are the same. OMC is very good with color codes. I saved the remote harness. There is no white wire in mine. I have several manuals and there is no white wire in any of...

Oldslowandugly

Unfortunately initial prop choice is a guess at best. Once the boat is fitted out and loaded the motor will soon let you know of any shortcomings. What is most important is a quality tachometer. Then you will know if the motor is operating within it's recommended rpm range. With the exception of the...

Oldslowandugly

JIm- I agree- Chapman's is the Bible. But it is a bit overwhelming for a newbie. What you want is BASIC information. I spied it at the NY Boat Show around 1980. Royce's was first written in the late fifties/early sixties when good basic information was unavailable. Outboards were cranky and no one k...

Oldslowandugly

I agree with all of the above. But I would also advise you to read all you can about trailering and boating. When I first started I was lucky enough to stumble upon this book and I am still learning from it. It is Royce's Powerboating Illustrated and there is a copy on Ebay right now for $4 w/free s...

Oldslowandugly

[A 1978 SPORT 15 with 50-HP will be] even better! I use a 48--same 737cc--and it's plenty fast. They are easy to work on also. I did have a problem finding the right propeller. I had two OMC propellers: 12x15 and 11x17. The 15-inch pitch propeller revved too high and the 17-inch propeller lugged. No...

Oldslowandugly

Macfam- GENIUS! I never thought of that- and it should work fine. Of course I was not planning on anti-fouling the locker. In fact that is why I keep the transom drain plugged and use a bilge pump in the well. Why have sea water filling the stern? Would you anti-foul the whole inside? Ridiculous. An...

Oldslowandugly

Well, mine has at least half the locker full of water, at rest, with the drain open. I stupidly forgot to mark the water line. When I tested the bare hull- the Evinrude 48hp and two gas tanks I use- tended to submerge the transom splash well drains. So I located the center console as far forward as ...

Oldslowandugly

That boat is in great shape compared to mine and others I've seen for sale. I would begin with a good power washing. Then scrub with a 3M scrubby pad and a bucket of hot sudsy water with a shot of bleach. After all the dirt is gone then you can decide if the gel coat is good enough to save or paint ...

Oldslowandugly

Before I tucked the 15 footer away for the winter I meant to mark the water line in the anchor locker. Things came up and I forgot. So would anyone know offhand how deep the water is in the locker with the drain open?

Oldslowandugly

What a shame. It's especially hard when a kid dies. But looking at that photo that 14 footer looks like an old MFG or something similar. Unlikely to have had much, if any, flotation built in. Now add the 400 pounds or so of motors on the transom and I don't think that boat would go anywhere but stra...

Oldslowandugly

Thanks Jefecinco, not to hijack the post but, how are these covers supported? Poles? Most seem to rely on straps attached to a trailer. On my skiff I used PVC bows with an Attwood canvas cover and I had snaps along the outsides of the gunwales. I wonder if I could do the same using my rod holders fo...

Oldslowandugly

I ran through the list of models and I couldn't find a square bow Whaler style. Even the one that was supposedly for a 15' Whaler Sport had a rounded bow. Which model did you buy? Can you post a photo? The company looks good and Sunbrella is the way to go.

Oldslowandugly

Bimini tops are great and there are a lot of models for sale. Most use aluminum frames and come in many sizes. You need to measure for what you want and then research what is available. Take time to figure where you will attach it. I used stainless steel clamps to mount mine on the railings which ad...

Oldslowandugly

Never mind the boat, this is a parts bonanza. Last year I bought two 4.80 x 8 trailer tires from Walmart for $43.52 total with free shipping and I mounted them myself. If the trailer has no serious rust a coat of Pettit Trailercoat will make it look like new. The 28 hp motor is perfect for a 13 foot...

Oldslowandugly

This is what I have done so far with the lid. I cut it in such a way that when the rear section is open it sits flush on top of the front. When I sit in my swivel seat my feet can rest on both the pieces, so that should be double strong. The rear opening is far enough out of my way so that I won't f...

Oldslowandugly

That boat is shot but the motor and trailer could be worth a closer look.

Oldslowandugly

Yes, my '85 model is recessed also. I used 3/4" plywood as a cover and it sits perfectly flush with the deck. That was important to me so that a raised lid won't act as a trip hazard. I'm not sure if I can add even a quarter inch without creating a lip. I regularly stand on my cover and the 3/4...

Oldslowandugly

I also have the common front disc/rear drum arrangement. I routinely remove my self-adjusters because I don't trust them to work properly. I manually adjust my rear brakes as they wear down. I use my parking brake as a measurement as to when the brakes need adjustment. An extra "click" or ...

Oldslowandugly

I changed the thread title. My lid is coming along nicely. While the epoxy paint cures I started to think about how I can drain the locker so that rain water does not fill to the top. I hate coming back to the dock after a big rain and the lid is sitting in water because the water filled right up to...

Oldslowandugly

After sitting and thinking about it I have a plan. I intend to cut the lid so that I can open it from either end. The trick will be to measure and cut so that when open, it will lay flat and not be obtrusive. I removed the hinges from the front and I will use them to hinge the two sections together....

Oldslowandugly

Here is the link http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/022776.html I remember seeing that beautiful boat thread when I was researching for my own. I think the best comment was- it's too nice to put in the water- it belongs in a living room. admirable is the best description I can come up with. B...

Oldslowandugly

On my 15-footer I use my anchor locker for a fish well. The lid was missing so I made a plywood one and hinged it at the front. The problem is opening the thing to add a fish. It is pretty unwieldy and needs free space in front to swing open properly. I was wondering if anyone has made a modificatio...

Oldslowandugly

Don't forget that I raised the sump about an inch so that it would positively drain. I didn't want winter water freezing in the sump and breaking the fiberglass. That limited my choice of pumps a bit and you could probably fit something larger. I had 400gph, 500gph, and 800gph Rule models and they a...

Oldslowandugly

I thought the exact opposite. If I press the brake pedal, doesn't that expand the shoes even better than the parking brake could? Then apply the parking brake to hold it at that setting?

Oldslowandugly

I remember seeing a mahogany sump cover somewhere. However I have never seen one for sale or specs to make one. I fabricated a cover using a milk crate and stretched some plastic mesh over it to catch debris. It keeps out large junk like clam shell chunks, but--more importantly--it holds the pump in...

Oldslowandugly

Flymo- Thanks, a lot of thought went into this arrangement. Yes, that is the model I used, Amazon still sells it. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N9RF1K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I removed the "foot" mount that it clips into. It mounts either from the bottom or ...

Oldslowandugly

That 13 footer is super well done! I agree also. If you are keeping the thwart seat then that is a natural choice no doubt. I chose not to use anything that would impede my movement. As the OP said, we're too old for climbing over stuff. My way was chosen for freedom of movement and to let me keep t...

Oldslowandugly

Here is what I made out of the "donated" chocks and some chain. Next I will go to the ramp and see how well they work.

Oldslowandugly

UPDATE: I was inspecting the Rule pump for a noise and I found a small pebble stuck behind the impeller. I can't imagine how it got there because I use the screen inside the intake grate. I got it out with a small needle nose pliers. While there I snapped a picture of the sump. As you can see I rais...

Oldslowandugly

A truck driver friend of mine said they use chocks like those at work. He grabbed a pair for me and said all it will cost me is a fishing trip. I just have to fit some stainless steel eye bolts. I usually use a length of parachute rope but maybe for these big boys I will use a chain.

Oldslowandugly

Not a trip hazard and not even annoying. See how the lip is rounded? No sharp edge to catch your foot. No matter which direction I sit on the cooler seat, it is between my feet. I can honestly say that after three seasons I don't even know it's there anymore.

Oldslowandugly

I took the USCG auxiliary safe boating course.The instructor was very clear about operating near the surf line: STAY AWAY. He said, "if you want to fish in the surf, go home and get your surf rod- never take a boat anywhere near the surf." That operator is a complete idiot and should not b...

Oldslowandugly

Kwik_wurk, it is a 1983 Pontiac station wagon. It is perfect for me because I stash my mountain bike in the back along with spare trailer tires, parts, aluminum floor jack, tools, everything I need for a successful trailering event. Old American station wagons have more interior room than most moder...

Oldslowandugly

The reason I don't use the chocks as a "brake" is that I always considered them an emergency backup in case the parking brake failed. Maybe I should make them bigger and work them into the game plan. Right now they are 4x4 timbers and seem to do the trick. Perhaps I have a mental block. I ...

Oldslowandugly

Good replies! Thanks! Yes, I do use the wheel chocks with rope trick-always did- 40 years now. When people at the ramp see that they can't believe how simple it is. And yes, my parking brake releases suddenly. That is in fact one of main problems. When it lets go- you better be on your game with the...

Oldslowandugly

I just pulled out my Whaler 15-footer for the season. I use a manual transmission car, and I really hate it at the boat ramp. On the road it is fine, just at the ramp it is problematic. Does anyone else also use a manual transmission in their towing vehicle? If so, what tips can you share to make th...

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