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Today I was able to get a lot done in a little time. I was able to install the fabbed rod holders and trim - remember the bolsters will cover the top of the rod storage area.
Pie plates (needed trimming before install) - and yes the boat is a mess. The rain stopped and now it's blowing 10 - 20 knots, so the leaves are blowing all over and collect in the stern.
I bought this on Eaby and it's the best fuel fill I have ever seen. Full 316SS and it has a special key to unlock it.
Installed the larger bow cleat purchased from Bosun Supply. This is a must have for all Makos with small bow cleats.
Installed the anchor locker door that I fabbed several months ago.
I did not know what to do with the rod holders. Drains are a good idea so they so not drip into the foam, but rigging a boat for them is a PITA and there is a very strong possibility they will fail and since they are below gunnel you would never know. Since water in a rod holder is not big deal for me I took the advice of BradE and went to Home Depot and bought pipe plugs for $2.47 each and solved the rod holder issue. Water will enter the rod holder and stay put since the boat spends many months/year on the mooring. A simple turkey baster removes the water (if needed). To think I wanted to machine stainless endcaps and weld them...
Installed rod holders - Yes one is kicked 15 degrees.
Inspection plates.
UPS guy showed up at work today with a big box, my new SSI E-box. I looked everwhere and West Marine was $499 - I do not shop there anyway, so I managed to find one at Consumer Electronic for $330 and ordered it along with a remote speaker for the VHF. It's not complete and I'll pickup an enclosure for the JBL stereo tomorrow and install. It will look much better tucked under the powdercoated t-top. This will happen sometime next week when I bolt it to the console. The radio looks cocked, but it is angled just right when at the helm.
Nothing to impressive here, splash door complete with new stainless hardware.
I shot a couple test panels playing with the amount of Grip-Tex to paint ratios and was not as happy as I wanted. I tried a couple more, but laid down a dust coat of Awlgrip and sprinkled the Grip-Tex, followed by a wet coat and a final coat. I was happier with the results and decided not to spray them last night - it was getting very late. This morning everything was ready to go, so I did it outside.
No bugs at all around here right now and there was not a breath of air, made for good painting weather. The finished product after removing the tape was to my liking.
I'm going to prep the deck inside the boat tonight and if all goes well, I'll shoot that tomorrow along with the coffin cover and other hatches.
