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Guest
Guest
About a month ago we took full advantage of the lowered lake levels and did some planting.
The exposed mud flats were sewn with Japanese wild millet and milo.
Getting to them was bad enough, but walking in mud that sinks you up to the knees can be a real challenge.
Perhaps snow shoes would help?
Not a big fan of summer. Can you tell?
Then it was on to the next project - the boat makeover.
While this boat has served me well for four seasons now, I've been making a list of improvements in the back of my mind.
The previous owner had installed 1" marine plywood decking to all of the floor surfaces. Additionally, he had cut back the factory decking on the front end to make room for more stuff and people.
In doing so, he compromised the structural integrity of the front deck. He compensated with 2x4's and 2x2's.
He actually did a nice job.
The fellow had some carpentry skills.
My problem with the plywood was that it was HEAVY and it provided a space in which all manner of stuff could get trapped.
So it needed to go!
I ripped out the old plywood, carpet, and trapped dirt and debris. I didn't find anything living in there, much to my amazement.
As you can see from the above photos, the grab bar, seat, lights, and other fixtures were mounted to the plywood.
With the plywood gone, some changes had to made to accommodate the re-installation of the fixtures.
Luckily, I share office space with a welding and machine shop.
With a plan on my mind, I laid out what I wanted done.
The guys squeezed me in, even though they were in the midst of a 7 day a week rush to get caught up on bigger and higher paying jobs.
The front decking was braced and mounts for the seat and grab bar were welded in place.
A skilled aluminum welder is a wonder to just sit and watch.
I made a shim for the front light from a piece of cheap cutting board from Wal-Mart. The hole in the factory decking was way too big, so the cutting board shim made for a better fit.
Yesterday, I stripped out all of the old wiring and installed all new wiring and switches for lights and bilge.
Previously, there was a single three position switch mounted in the corner of the stern. It was pain in the but to get to.
I installed toggles on a plate that I had the guys weld to my grab bar.
Since the exposed bottom of the boat was subject to be slippery when wet, I cleaned it all up and rolled on truck bed liner, then sprayed my camo on top.
I added the box as a middle seat and for extra storage.
The decoy bags were custom made a few years ago, and they went back in this afternoon.
She's all set to go out for the goose opener tomorrow!
I just need to fill my spray bottle and remember to take it with me.
The exposed mud flats were sewn with Japanese wild millet and milo.
Getting to them was bad enough, but walking in mud that sinks you up to the knees can be a real challenge.
Perhaps snow shoes would help?
Not a big fan of summer. Can you tell?
Then it was on to the next project - the boat makeover.
While this boat has served me well for four seasons now, I've been making a list of improvements in the back of my mind.
The previous owner had installed 1" marine plywood decking to all of the floor surfaces. Additionally, he had cut back the factory decking on the front end to make room for more stuff and people.
In doing so, he compromised the structural integrity of the front deck. He compensated with 2x4's and 2x2's.
He actually did a nice job.
The fellow had some carpentry skills.
My problem with the plywood was that it was HEAVY and it provided a space in which all manner of stuff could get trapped.
So it needed to go!
I ripped out the old plywood, carpet, and trapped dirt and debris. I didn't find anything living in there, much to my amazement.
As you can see from the above photos, the grab bar, seat, lights, and other fixtures were mounted to the plywood.
With the plywood gone, some changes had to made to accommodate the re-installation of the fixtures.
Luckily, I share office space with a welding and machine shop.
With a plan on my mind, I laid out what I wanted done.
The guys squeezed me in, even though they were in the midst of a 7 day a week rush to get caught up on bigger and higher paying jobs.
The front decking was braced and mounts for the seat and grab bar were welded in place.
A skilled aluminum welder is a wonder to just sit and watch.
I made a shim for the front light from a piece of cheap cutting board from Wal-Mart. The hole in the factory decking was way too big, so the cutting board shim made for a better fit.
Yesterday, I stripped out all of the old wiring and installed all new wiring and switches for lights and bilge.
Previously, there was a single three position switch mounted in the corner of the stern. It was pain in the but to get to.
I installed toggles on a plate that I had the guys weld to my grab bar.
Since the exposed bottom of the boat was subject to be slippery when wet, I cleaned it all up and rolled on truck bed liner, then sprayed my camo on top.
I added the box as a middle seat and for extra storage.
The decoy bags were custom made a few years ago, and they went back in this afternoon.
She's all set to go out for the goose opener tomorrow!
I just need to fill my spray bottle and remember to take it with me.
