posted 12-06-2011 08:56 PM ET (US)        

I have installed a 5-gallon freshwater shower on my 16. The water tank fits under my console, we use it after diving, or just on a hot day, works out great.

posted 12-07-2011 12:28 PM ET (US)            

I also installed several straps under the cushion of the RPS. On the underside of the RPS but forward of the fuel tanks I have strapped in a manual bilge pump and gaff/club. (You don't know they are there unless you reach underneath.)

And best for last...There are a few mid 80's Montauks that have an matching desert tan molded aft cover/bench. It is a molded fiberglass piece that rests on the splashwell and stanchion lip. It is strong enough to support a 250lb person, and covers all the aft wiring/throttle cables etc. Also provides space to store a battery and other gear. (However I keep the my battery in the console.) Looks like this: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/cetacea/cetaceaPage33.html -- I can take no credit for this, but I took some time hunting for a boat that had one.

posted 12-07-2011 02:11 PM ET (US)         

This completely changes and improves the feel and scale of the boat, and the installations looks factory. An example:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v429/lgoltz/Outrage%2018/?action=view& current=IMG_0917.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v429/lgoltz/Montauk%2017/?action=view& current=Scan_Pic0037.jpg

posted 12-07-2011 02:58 PM ET (US)            

- raised entire interior (console and seats) 2" for greater comfort for tall people.
- installed 2" deeper storage compartment under and behind rear seat (replaced the stock plastic with a new piece) - gives a lot more usable storage
- installed a folding seatback on the port side of the front seat.
- replaced the black battery box that came with the boat with a tan one - close enough to desert tan that it looks nice.
- added footman loops and straps to hold down the two portable tanks in the stern well.
- added an electric horn, with pushbutton on the dash in place of the lower pull switch.
- turned a mahogany center cap for the steering wheel - no purpose, it just looks good.

The boat still looks very close to stock, but people who know Whalers have complimented me on the improvements.

posted 12-07-2011 05:48 PM ET (US)         

Rich - The "blocks" are deeply counterbored to receive the 1/4" (#14) x 2" screws. They go right into the original holes in the boat floor, except for the center portion over the "beam". Four screws are used in each block. The unused original floor screw holes are filled with a same size 3/4" long screw, countersunk flush. The beam is then screwed to each block with four flathead #14 x 3" screws, countersunk flush. These are located so that they will not show underneath the console supports, which is then attached to the top of the beam with the original #14 x 1" screws used by Whaler. The whole assembly is rock-solid and secure, with no movement of the console at all, regardless of conditions.

posted 12-07-2011 10:11 PM ET (US)            

I raised the entire interior of a super sport 13 two inches a number of years ago. I may have a picture someplace if anyone is interested. (I just remade most of the pieces taller).

I do some trailer upgrades including stainless fasteners and lever operated adjustable bunks. They allow you to lower the rear of a bunk so boat slides on trailer rollers with no friction from the bunk against the hull. Makes it very easy to launch or retrieve a boat from a shallow ramp where the boat is not floating. I copied this design from a 1950s - 1960s Holsclaw boat trailer my father once owned. I also add a bow tie down cable to keep my boats from rolling forward on the trailer in a panic stop.

I build custom outriggers and fishing rods, and made a really nice set of outriggers from very heavy duty Lamiglass surf rod blanks. To make the mounts I bend some exhaust pipe that just fits inside the flush mount rod holders that hold the blanks vertically when running When you want to fish, just lift them an inch or so and rotate them to a fixed position (I cut into the bottom of the pipe to engage the rod holder alignment pin) so the blank is perpendicular to the hull and elevated about 15 -20 degrees upward from the surface of the water. They are about as portable as a large two-piece surf rod with a very large reel attached and tend to give a more realistic lure movement than aluminum outriggers. For a custom touch I usually weave the name of the boat in thread onto the blanks above the pipes and finish the pipes in a powdercoat color that closely matches some trim color on the boat.

posted 12-07-2011 10:57 PM ET (US)            

--elaelap posted 11-19-2010 11:49 AM ET (US)
-----------------------------------------------------------Here's a shot of a great bracket I bought from Dave/buckda when he was parting out 'Gambler,' his beautiful Outrage 18. It's perfect for my 1982 Montauk, and I wasn't at all afraid of drilling some holes in my boat's deck, just very, very careful about sealing 'em up properly (I used 5200--bombproof). I've also seen very nice teak chocks, but this custom aluminum bracket means doing away with the troublesome bungie cord attachments necessary with the chocks if you boat in lumpy seas.
This bracket was manufactured by a company in Kemah, Texas, I think. If buckda picks up on this thread I'll bet he could give you more info (or you could e-mail him if interested).

[url]http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/elaelap/ BirdRocksalmonandBWsJuly2010038.jpg[/url]

--mgeiger posted 11-19-2010 12:14 PM ET (US)
-----------------------------------------------------------Damn fellas- thanks for the effort in getting a link up. That's a nice piece of hardware. I guess there may be a compromise when trying to achieve "secure" and "no drilling".

posted 12-08-2011 01:31 AM ET (US)            

Basically it only requires a good, heavy piano hinge on the seat. The stainless storage box will be made up and welded and the storage box will be welded to the existing FRG supporting structure. ---- Jerry/Idaho

t

posted 12-08-2011 04:03 PM ET (US)         

quote:

---

not much Whalering stuff going on at this time of year.

---

Dude.... I'm still fishing up heya in Vermont. If I was retired and lived in FLA I wouldn't have any time to share my wisdom here. LOL

I added a downrigger/rod holder/bait prep board to my 17. This winter it will be replaced with a nicer and more Whaleresque piece made of mahogany.

posted 12-09-2011 09:51 AM ET (US)         

Its not that we are not tough enough, but say its like if a person likes ice cream. Well in the winter in Florida you can get vanilla ice cream every day. The really good flavors are available maybe once every couple if weeks or so. So its worth it to wait for the good flavors, rather than eat plain old vanilla. In Vermont you can only get vanilla ice cream every month or so, so you have to take what you can get.

The gizmo you want to invent is already here, its called a cooler that will fit between the posts of your leaning post.

posted 12-09-2011 10:00 AM ET (US)         

It was 22 when I got up this morning. We fish all year round. If not from a boat than from a hole in the ice.

Regarding your advice about the cooler. I'm not talking about the floor space where two 10 gallon fuel tanks currently sit. I'm talking about the space above the aft facing seat and below the leaning pad.

XX marks the spot.

l--l
lxxl
l----l l
l l l
l gt l l

I'd kill for 48 degrees this weekend!