This hull is my dream boat, but boy do I have my work cut out for me. I will put all of the projects big and small right here. Right now I'm tackling a bunch of the small stuff.
One of the first things was getting some rod holders in so I could troll for pelagics. Got it done last week. Used a 2" hole saw bit to get through the gunnel and made sure to f@ck up the gel coat along the way just so people know for sure I was there.
(https://i.imgur.com/tM9dQ21h.jpeg)
Put a G10 fiberglass plate on the bottom that my buddy Chris helped cut with his circular saw. It already felt pretty solid with just washers but that made it great.
(https://i.imgur.com/chN6yVih.jpeg)
There are a zillion holes in this thing to the point where I think the old owner was just doing it for weight reduction. I can't even fathom what they were trying to do here.
(https://i.imgur.com/0qXvsaCh.jpeg)
Also random sh!t that never got removed, like this. There are 3 wires that were cut short on the backside so it seems like a toggle switch but it's seized and doesn't move. The flat heads are corroded to hell so it will be awful to remove and then I'll just have a hole in the gunnel, so I might leave it. Or I could remove it and put a cool sticker over it...
(https://i.imgur.com/TRin8erh.jpeg)
The cleats are a bit corroded but they will hold for a while. Medium term project.
I still need to wrap my head around the electrical work on the boat, which is not my forte. I also need to capitalize on this space a bit more as it's one of only 4 hatches. Just need to find the less flammable things to put in there.
(https://i.imgur.com/YlcHCiVh.jpeg)
I like the rail but it could use some more reinforcement. Also pictured here are two of too many fenders on the boat (6). I am replacing all 6 of this style with 2 EVA foam ones which are smaller, more modern looking, and can double as a seat cushion. The black 4 prong thing on the rail in the middle is a downrigge ball holder which the previous owner said he never used because it was too far forward. Why it was ever put near the bow is beyond me.
(https://i.imgur.com/tOiR05Zh.jpeg)
Console is interesting but needs work. FF is old. It works, but doesn't give me a temp reading as far as I can tell. It was also on the fritz this weekend, though did work on day 2. I replaced the broken compass for my own slightly less broken compass for now. Maybe make room the FF level for my phone so I can have my phone up with Navionics. the steering wheel is a bit low so I'm going to try a suicide knob first, but might put a spacer under the wheel.
(https://i.imgur.com/oSg4xd4h.jpeg)
I find these chairs not very god looking, but it is surprisingly comfortable. It sits a bit low, though. I would like to eventually build a box for storage under the seat. Chris was saying I should build the box a bit long going astern so my mate can sit behind me and monitor the rods. Not a bad idea, though the dimensions are a bit tight.
(https://i.imgur.com/BXoDQjvh.jpeg)
I removed a bunch of grommet fasteners for tarps today that were phillips heads, though some are pretty seized and I'm gonna have to go back through with Corrosion X or something. I'm going to fill those and some other holes wit h bondo short strand fiberglass putty once I watch a video on how to do that.
(https://i.imgur.com/eJLZZcph.jpeg)
Then there are these. Idk wtf I'm gonna do about them yet.
(https://i.imgur.com/6llkTMph.jpeg)
The hatches never got their hinges fully assembled because previous owners realized the hatch runs right into the gunnel as you open it. The latch holes are 1" and 3/4" which don't really fit the universal 2" latches and are gonna be awkward to keep drilling out with a 2" bit for those. But, I need to do something about them, because these corners are the only wet part of the boat.
(https://i.imgur.com/JcTebihh.jpeg)
Need to put carpet on the side bunks still, and more likely hard plastic type stuff on the floor bunks.
(https://i.imgur.com/KkLH1MEh.jpeg)
I do like this boat though, one picture of admiring instead of bitching. Op! Just kidding. Those little corners to hold a cooler need to come off. That bow floor either needs to be reinforced with coosa or removed and totally redone, but I won't be standing up there myself.
(https://i.imgur.com/yuPtULUh.jpeg)
I wanna put horizontal rod/gaff storage on at least one side of the hull. I was originally thinking something like a putty adhesive and a DIY plastic hook hold system, but Chris said I should really fiberglass it in.
(https://i.imgur.com/TwDJuVGh.jpeg)
Trying to sell the Honda 8hp kicker outboard that came with it so I cleaned the carb. PITA but it runs good now and ready for a new owner.
(https://i.imgur.com/AGrtpNuh.jpeg)
After fishing it, the fuel line had a crack, so I have a fresh fuel line now to install tomorrow. I think there's a male connector installed into the boat right here so I can just take the primer bulb kit and cut it shorter on the one end.
(https://i.imgur.com/mk3LUN8h.jpeg)
Chris installed these rod holders onto the rail overnight while it was at his house. Very generous and a great touch.
(https://i.imgur.com/NlMGTiqh.jpeg)
The nonskid currently on the DIY side floors was made for shoes, not barefoot. I will redo that eventually. But I didn't slip.
(https://i.imgur.com/HVGkDkQh.jpeg)
That looks almost exactly like my "Square Boma" project. Tackle some of the cheaper and easier things first because once you are at the end game and put a coat of paint inside, it's going to make that baby dazzle!
Thanks for the post as it's bringing back a lot of old memories of the Boma. I probably have a few things for your boat in my garage. I'll look for a few things and send you pics if you want any of them.