wow. That is absolutely amazing. When you started that project I had no doubt that you'd build a working boat, but the good looks and exceedingly high level of finish are a pleasant surprise. That thing is a stunner!
wow. That is absolutely amazing. When you started that project I had no doubt that you'd build a working boat, but the good looks and exceedingly high level of finish are a pleasant surprise. That thing is a stunner!
^^Thanks!
Hatches, fuel fill, throttle lever, and rear cleats, installed for the last time.
The list is getting shorter every day. 
The paint is still a little too soft to climb in it and do the wiring, but I plan to have it finished by the weekend.
I hope to be hitting the water Saturday and/or Sunday for a extended test run. After that it'll be time to rebuild the trailer and paint the outside of the hull.
Wow that looks like a new boat from a factory!
I've enjoyed your build. It does look great!
Progress!
The wiring is done. The blower and bilge pumps work properly. Kill switch, starter button and ignition switch, all installed and working properly. The battery is installed and strapped down and it cranks, runs and shuts down, without any touching the red wires together or hooking the jump box up. Done, done, and done!! 
Since there is no neutral or reverse on this thing, I wanted to be able to shut it down and fire it up at the touch of a button. Fumbling for an ignition switch wouldn't work so I installed these. Push the black button to start, push the red button to kill. Pulling the lanyard will also kill it and keep it from starting. The above key switch will also keep it from starting.
While I was tinkering, I installed a Ram mount for my waterproof GPS.
I also installed a Ram mount for a camera. It'll probably have my GoPro mounted when I hit the water.
The only thing left to do is run a throttle cable. My wonderful eldest son broke the one I had so I'm waiting for a replacement. 
It's supposed to be 29 degrees Saturday morning. I'll be in the water by noon, freezing my ass off. I'm looking forward to it. I'll try to shoot some better videos.
This is a really awesome, inspirational build.
The cable was sitting in the mailbox.
Done.
I might throw it overboard tomorrow for a couple of hours after work. There is a good chance it will be a short day. 
That boat looks brand new from here!
I really like the padeye and S-biner retentions on the mounted accessories. that is simple genius and an idea I will be stealing. Looking forward to more videos.
In reply to ultraclyde:
I stole the idea from the kayak/canoe crowd.
Toyman01 wrote: In reply to ultraclyde: I stole the idea from the kayak/canoe crowd.
Was gonna say, we've been doing that forever, but well done implementing it and keeping it unobtrusive.
<----- Kayak fishing crowd here.
And yeah, VERY WELL DONE on making the ol' girl look REALLY FREAKING GOOD!
Looks great. What color are you going to paint the outside?
In reply to bgkast:
I just picked up some olive paint. That'll happen in a couple of weeks.
The second launch was successful!
My eldest and I put about an hour on it this afternoon.
Notable are it's extremely hard to steer, it doesn't balance very well with one person in it, and I have a leak somewhere.
With the short handle on the steering, you almost can't turn it with out letting off the throttle and getting back into it. I've lost all my leverage so I'm going to have to rethink the steering.
In an hours time, we picked up about 3 gallons of water from somewhere. I'm not sure where it's coming from.
I'm not sure how to handle the balance issue. I not going to worry about it at the moment.
The good news is, I remembered the SD card for the camera, so videos are currently uploading.
More to come.
Can you sit in the middle with the tiller between your legs? 
In reply to bgkast:
That thought has crossed my mind but honestly, I almost never go out by myself. I've got kids and a wife that hate to be left behind. I don't think it will be an issue.
I could help the problem if I lost about 100 pounds. 
Video #1 Facing out the back of the boat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRM_UC66aPc&feature=youtu.be
Number 2 is uploading now.
not trying to be funny but did you put the plugs back in all the way?
Looks like ag reat wake to ski on...
think it could pull a skiier?
In reply to Mad_Ratel:
Yep. They are screw in plugs and seal pretty well. If I had to guess, it's getting in through a pin hole in a water line or something like that. I might also try filling up the hull with water and seeing if it runs out somewhere.
Leaking water fitting on the engine?
Video #2. This is my son filming from the bank.
Number 3 is uploading now.
In reply to bgkast:
I'm reasonably certain it's under the back deck somewhere. It only filled one side of the hull, and it wasn't the side I was sitting on, which is the low side. The engine area has a auto bailer that should keep it dry. The only things on that side that could leak are the pressure line for engine cooling water and the exhaust. I'll be looking for it the next time it goes overboard.
Mad_Ratel wrote: Looks like ag reat wake to ski on... think it could pull a skiier?
I would imagine it could pull my younger sons. They are fairly light. It should pull a tube for certain. It will get it's chance to do that as soon as the weather warms up next year.
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