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Author Topic:   Happy new owner of 15' SS Limited

Bill C posted 05-21-2002 01:11 AM ET (US)
Found this board lookin for the BW factory site. You people are a wealth of information. Anyway, was looking for a 15' McKee when I ran across this drop dead gorgeous 1987 BW in excellent condition with the original low hour 70 Johnson and even the original ski pylon, stern light, and cover post. Forgotten how great these little boats are. Fun and fast. The guy I bought it from wanted a flats boat and bought a new one for 16K. While not the perfect fishing boat the BW is more than adequate. He'll probably regret it. I used to go fishing with a friend in his 13' with a 40 and a 3hp kicker. We frequently went 10 - 15 miles offshore without a problem. Got hairy a few times getting back through Johns Pass on the Florida west coast but with judicious throttle control always made it.A real blast running into a 8 knot current with a 15-20 kt westerly.The maiden voyage of the 15 was a run from the St. Pete pier out to the Skyway, Eggmont, and Mullet Key. Great ride for a skiff, reasonable on fuel, and plenty of storage. Great for the flats around here. Now looking for a 3hp kicker. Never been towed and don't plan to.
Another happy whaler
where2 posted 05-21-2002 12:48 PM ET (US)
Keep your eyes peeled to the Rendevous section of the site. There's other readers getting together every now and then in your little neck of the Gulf.
My 1985 15' Sport lives on the Atlantic side...
mudpuppy posted 05-22-2002 05:03 PM ET (US)
Great boat, you'll love it.
I've made extensive modifications to the console and wiring, upholstery, fuel tanks, grab rails, etc etc to my '87, to make it more suitable for fishing and duckhunting. You'll tire of that bow storage locker under the foremost bench seat. It really gets in the way. Boat is totally practical now, has a 60 hp Merc and 4hp Johnson kicker. Love it.
Taylor posted 05-22-2002 05:47 PM ET (US)
Where2 - Must be nice to have your pick of two oceans.
Bill C posted 05-23-2002 09:36 AM ET (US)
where2, mudpuppy, and Taylor,
Thanks for the nice welcome to this site. Am amazed at everyones loyalty to their BW's. Of course there is nothing quite like them.
where2. Thanks for the info on the Rendevous area. Haven't checked it out as am modifying boat and trailer for single handing.
mudpuppy. My 15 is the drop in double console version. I was a little skeptical about this as my experience has been with the side or center console. Think will work out OK. I posted a message on the mods and repairs forum concerning moving the batteries to the consoles and installing a 17 gal. There was a post a while back about this but can't find it. No responce yet. Seems this setup would vastly improve handling. I have a 12 gal. with a 6 gal. spare which is OK but the batteries are still back there. I have been a sailor for many years and during the racing days always kept the weight midships. Even took the kicker off and put it down below.
Taylor. Those of us lucky to live in Florida have great fishing, hunting, and crusing areas once away from the congested metro areas. I love the gulf side. Of course the BW is perfect for all the shallows here. Another great area is south of Jacksonville on and around the intercoastal and St. Johns river. As am semi-retired considering moving to that area or Homossasa on this coast.
Thanks again to all.
mudpuppy posted 05-23-2002 06:59 PM ET (US)
My boat tended to ride stern-heavy, particularly with one person tending the downriggers on the stern deck, so I moved my two batteries forward up under the consoles, and I had to widen the openings on the stern side of the under-console space considerably. It's still a tight fit, and kind of a pain in the a**; next step will be to install an on-board battery charger with a pigtail so I don't have to take the lids off the battery boxes just to charge them. Just plug into an extension. Also by removing that troublesome bow storage seat, I have access to the battery sites from the bow aspect as well.
I also installed the 17.5 gal plastic Tempo tank that fits this boat great (if you remove the mounting plate for the ski pylon if it's there). The tank fits up under the stern seat, getting more weight more forward.
For my purposes, the best modification was getting rid of that bow seat.
Chris posted 05-24-2002 02:00 AM ET (US)
How did you get rid of the front seat and how does it look?
where2 posted 05-24-2002 12:23 PM ET (US)
Best "cheap" upgrade I've done recently was to install a 2-wire pigtail that just barely lurks out of the battery box, and hooks up to the 6A "smart" charger I have around the house. I too hated to pull the battery box out and apart, just to attach the charger. Now, I just plug-in and go.
mudpuppy posted 05-28-2002 02:17 AM ET (US)
Chris:
I removed the entire console unit--it's basically one piece of molded glass. But you have to disconnect the steering cables and most of the electrical connections to do this. After removing the seat cushions and disassembling the plastic that forms the locker under the seat, I took a Bosch Panther reciprocating saw--a sawzall--and cut off the molded glass that forms the seat. Some of this is reinforced with wood, but no big deal there. Then I smoothed edges and contours with electric sanders and various Stanley Sureform (sp?) hand rasps. I filled any obvious defects with 2-part marine epoxy. Because I was painted the console camoflague with nonslip textured paint (I use the boat for waterfowl hunting, not drug-running), the finish was very tolerant of minor surface defects. The seat bottom can be dropped back in place to span the gap when I want to take the kids along. The whole project was very successful for my purposes, but it would be a little more difficult to achieve a finished look in a more conventional use boat. When my wife gets back from China in a week with the digital camera, I can email you some photos.
Bill C posted 05-28-2002 09:52 AM ET (US)
Mudpuppy,
Thanks for the info on the mods to your SS limited. Don't know if I could bring myself to alter the drop in tlhe way you did. I did some measuring under the consuls and by removing enough material to squeeze the batteries in should solve my problem which is mainly to get the weight more forward and get that 17 gal tank in. As you, I am going to install pigtails to ease re-charging.
Bill C
mudpuppy posted 05-28-2002 04:50 PM ET (US)
Bill:
Regarding moving your batteries, and measuring the available space, be mindful that the deck begins to curve upward close to the gunwales right underneath the consoles. If you measure the vertical clearance in the center of the space under the consoles, you'll overestimate the actual space available for the battery boxes. So measure the vertical clearance available at all four corners of the proposed installation site of the battery boxes. I suggest cutting out a cardboard "footprint" of the battery boxes and checking the proposed installation with that. Also remember that you'll actually need a little more vertical clearance than the physical height of the battery box, if you want to be able to get the lid off the box without moving the box out from underneath the console.
Tim
mudpuppy posted 05-28-2002 04:51 PM ET (US)
Forgot to mention that I raised the plastic storage shelf in the left-side console to make enough room for the battery box.
Bill C posted 05-30-2002 03:31 PM ET (US)
Mudpuppy:
Thanks for the info on the vertical spacing under those consuls. Yrrrr right. The deck does raise as it moves forward so the four corner measurement is necessary. I picked up on the storage shelf as that is the side I measured first. Sounds like I should be able to modify to my needs. As I weigh 235 need all the freeboard I can get in the stern though once those batteries are forward should vastly improve. The rear platform, which I use when fishing, is OK though may replace it with a mocified teak slated one so am able to see the tank fuel guage and make access to that area easier without lifting the whole thing. That is only a thought and may not be practical. Bought a stainless Michigan Wheel prop for the 70 Johnson and am anxious to try it. Great around in the Tampa Bay area as our bottom is mostly sand. North of here, in the Crystal River and Homossasa areas, is another matter as that is hard limestone bottom and tends to take out the lower unit with the prop. Getting the old aluminum prop reworked for use in that area.
Again, thanks for all your help.
Bill C.

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Author	Topic: Happy new owner of 15' SS Limited
Bill C	posted 05-21-2002 01:11 AM ET (US) Found this board lookin for the BW factory site. You people are a wealth of information. Anyway, was looking for a 15' McKee when I ran across this drop dead gorgeous 1987 BW in excellent condition with the original low hour 70 Johnson and even the original ski pylon, stern light, and cover post. Forgotten how great these little boats are. Fun and fast. The guy I bought it from wanted a flats boat and bought a new one for 16K. While not the perfect fishing boat the BW is more than adequate. He'll probably regret it. I used to go fishing with a friend in his 13' with a 40 and a 3hp kicker. We frequently went 10 - 15 miles offshore without a problem. Got hairy a few times getting back through Johns Pass on the Florida west coast but with judicious throttle control always made it.A real blast running into a 8 knot current with a 15-20 kt westerly.The maiden voyage of the 15 was a run from the St. Pete pier out to the Skyway, Eggmont, and Mullet Key. Great ride for a skiff, reasonable on fuel, and plenty of storage. Great for the flats around here. Now looking for a 3hp kicker. Never been towed and don't plan to. Another happy whaler
where2	posted 05-21-2002 12:48 PM ET (US) Keep your eyes peeled to the Rendevous section of the site. There's other readers getting together every now and then in your little neck of the Gulf. My 1985 15' Sport lives on the Atlantic side...
mudpuppy	posted 05-22-2002 05:03 PM ET (US) Great boat, you'll love it. I've made extensive modifications to the console and wiring, upholstery, fuel tanks, grab rails, etc etc to my '87, to make it more suitable for fishing and duckhunting. You'll tire of that bow storage locker under the foremost bench seat. It really gets in the way. Boat is totally practical now, has a 60 hp Merc and 4hp Johnson kicker. Love it.
Taylor	posted 05-22-2002 05:47 PM ET (US) Where2 - Must be nice to have your pick of two oceans.
Bill C	posted 05-23-2002 09:36 AM ET (US) where2, mudpuppy, and Taylor, Thanks for the nice welcome to this site. Am amazed at everyones loyalty to their BW's. Of course there is nothing quite like them. where2. Thanks for the info on the Rendevous area. Haven't checked it out as am modifying boat and trailer for single handing. mudpuppy. My 15 is the drop in double console version. I was a little skeptical about this as my experience has been with the side or center console. Think will work out OK. I posted a message on the mods and repairs forum concerning moving the batteries to the consoles and installing a 17 gal. There was a post a while back about this but can't find it. No responce yet. Seems this setup would vastly improve handling. I have a 12 gal. with a 6 gal. spare which is OK but the batteries are still back there. I have been a sailor for many years and during the racing days always kept the weight midships. Even took the kicker off and put it down below. Taylor. Those of us lucky to live in Florida have great fishing, hunting, and crusing areas once away from the congested metro areas. I love the gulf side. Of course the BW is perfect for all the shallows here. Another great area is south of Jacksonville on and around the intercoastal and St. Johns river. As am semi-retired considering moving to that area or Homossasa on this coast. Thanks again to all.
mudpuppy	posted 05-23-2002 06:59 PM ET (US) My boat tended to ride stern-heavy, particularly with one person tending the downriggers on the stern deck, so I moved my two batteries forward up under the consoles, and I had to widen the openings on the stern side of the under-console space considerably. It's still a tight fit, and kind of a pain in the a**; next step will be to install an on-board battery charger with a pigtail so I don't have to take the lids off the battery boxes just to charge them. Just plug into an extension. Also by removing that troublesome bow storage seat, I have access to the battery sites from the bow aspect as well. I also installed the 17.5 gal plastic Tempo tank that fits this boat great (if you remove the mounting plate for the ski pylon if it's there). The tank fits up under the stern seat, getting more weight more forward. For my purposes, the best modification was getting rid of that bow seat.
Chris	posted 05-24-2002 02:00 AM ET (US) How did you get rid of the front seat and how does it look?
where2	posted 05-24-2002 12:23 PM ET (US) Best "cheap" upgrade I've done recently was to install a 2-wire pigtail that just barely lurks out of the battery box, and hooks up to the 6A "smart" charger I have around the house. I too hated to pull the battery box out and apart, just to attach the charger. Now, I just plug-in and go.
mudpuppy	posted 05-28-2002 02:17 AM ET (US) Chris: I removed the entire console unit--it's basically one piece of molded glass. But you have to disconnect the steering cables and most of the electrical connections to do this. After removing the seat cushions and disassembling the plastic that forms the locker under the seat, I took a Bosch Panther reciprocating saw--a sawzall--and cut off the molded glass that forms the seat. Some of this is reinforced with wood, but no big deal there. Then I smoothed edges and contours with electric sanders and various Stanley Sureform (sp?) hand rasps. I filled any obvious defects with 2-part marine epoxy. Because I was painted the console camoflague with nonslip textured paint (I use the boat for waterfowl hunting, not drug-running), the finish was very tolerant of minor surface defects. The seat bottom can be dropped back in place to span the gap when I want to take the kids along. The whole project was very successful for my purposes, but it would be a little more difficult to achieve a finished look in a more conventional use boat. When my wife gets back from China in a week with the digital camera, I can email you some photos.
Bill C	posted 05-28-2002 09:52 AM ET (US) Mudpuppy, Thanks for the info on the mods to your SS limited. Don't know if I could bring myself to alter the drop in tlhe way you did. I did some measuring under the consuls and by removing enough material to squeeze the batteries in should solve my problem which is mainly to get the weight more forward and get that 17 gal tank in. As you, I am going to install pigtails to ease re-charging. Bill C
mudpuppy	posted 05-28-2002 04:50 PM ET (US) Bill: Regarding moving your batteries, and measuring the available space, be mindful that the deck begins to curve upward close to the gunwales right underneath the consoles. If you measure the vertical clearance in the center of the space under the consoles, you'll overestimate the actual space available for the battery boxes. So measure the vertical clearance available at all four corners of the proposed installation site of the battery boxes. I suggest cutting out a cardboard "footprint" of the battery boxes and checking the proposed installation with that. Also remember that you'll actually need a little more vertical clearance than the physical height of the battery box, if you want to be able to get the lid off the box without moving the box out from underneath the console. Tim
mudpuppy	posted 05-28-2002 04:51 PM ET (US) Forgot to mention that I raised the plastic storage shelf in the left-side console to make enough room for the battery box.
Bill C	posted 05-30-2002 03:31 PM ET (US) Mudpuppy: Thanks for the info on the vertical spacing under those consuls. Yrrrr right. The deck does raise as it moves forward so the four corner measurement is necessary. I picked up on the storage shelf as that is the side I measured first. Sounds like I should be able to modify to my needs. As I weigh 235 need all the freeboard I can get in the stern though once those batteries are forward should vastly improve. The rear platform, which I use when fishing, is OK though may replace it with a mocified teak slated one so am able to see the tank fuel guage and make access to that area easier without lifting the whole thing. That is only a thought and may not be practical. Bought a stainless Michigan Wheel prop for the 70 Johnson and am anxious to try it. Great around in the Tampa Bay area as our bottom is mostly sand. North of here, in the Crystal River and Homossasa areas, is another matter as that is hard limestone bottom and tends to take out the lower unit with the prop. Getting the old aluminum prop reworked for use in that area. Again, thanks for all your help. Bill C.