That's been a mammoth job Steve. Am I right to assume its going to be a very long term keeper? Otherwise the cost of the project would just have been a giant money pit! Or the boys at AA Morse work for peanuts!!
Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 9:27 pm Post subject: Re:
Delete wrote:
That's been a mammoth job Steve. Am I right to assume its going to be a very long term keeper? Otherwise the cost of the project would just have been a giant money pit! Or the boys at AA Morse work for peanuts!!
It is a keeper and will see me out.
Re-build vs New boat ??? No comparison....after all the trouble was found and assessed a New 5 metre + Cat was priced.
Not surprised at the 75-100k tag with full plus fit out.
No hesitation at what the answer was going to be...."now I have one and it's the only one"
Orphan it may be and re-sale would be what ever my 'estate' determines.
great job steve hope shes on the water soon.
out of interest how did you go about sorting out the cost(no specifics ) did you have a price quoted for the job??as a whole because it seemed like there were a lot of things that changed on the way .
anyway more pics soon of the water test i hope (even though i know theres a lot to do even though she looks complete)
cheers
Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 11:37 pm Post subject: Re:
prod03 wrote:
out of interest how did you go about sorting out the cost(no specifics ) did you have a price quoted for the job??as a whole because it seemed like there were a lot of things that changed on the way .
Your right Nick I won't go into price but I will say both the boys and I were hand in glove all the way through.
Tarting up an old boat is pretty one sided with sort of tunnel view but completely re-engineering is definitely a team effort.
I always had my ideas of 'no engine well'.
Kill tanks and in floor battery boxes.
Sub floors.
Larger fuel tanks and of course the hard top wheel house.
Getting those on the plan was not as cut and dried as it may look on paper and for that matter in the photos of the transformation.
Tweaks here and there knitted the lot together with some rather off the cuff additions that enhanced and improved even the old hull integrity.
Transom now technically is a full width pod with no added structure other than the magnificent transom and full width external floor (transom to stern bulk head.)
It's still the original height width and location. What missing is the actual engine well with it's leaky joins,dirt catching basin and that 100+ Kgs of water that slops over the edge and take for ever to drain through those pathetic (2) piece plastic grommets.
Floor is a strong rigid affair with strength all the way to the sides as with the side bulk heads that stiffen everything and make for usable side pocket ends and toe rails.
The Cabin and dash well I need not elaborate here but it was certainly an all opinions run affair with other elements involved in supply and design of mouldings for hard top and dash.
Some one has been taking some big hits in the boating scene but I can assure you this gentleman's opinions and willingness to lend moulds and sundry to firecats re-birthing deserves my many thanks Cam..
" It should of been longer in the first place lad or your doing the right thing" all gave me confidence and the Boys are great fibreglass boat repairers..."that I don't need to explain"
Another trek down to Welshpool then it's only a few days and it will be all done.
This Wednesday /Thursday should see all the wiring which is really all that's left done with a bit of external roof fitting of the GPS antennas and anchor light.
May get an 'office hours' launch on Friday and if all goes well perhaps an old man's squid/whiting session or perhaps a flogging out the deep. ( any fishing from Firecat will be appreciated after all this time)
"just got to wait a little bit longer."
Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 6:23 pm Post subject: Re:
firecat150hp wrote:
Another trek down to Welshpool then it's only a few days and it will be all done.
This Wednesday /Thursday should see all the wiring which is really all that's left done with a bit of external roof fitting of the GPS antennas and anchor light.
May get an 'office hours' launch on Friday and if all goes well perhaps an old man's squid/whiting session or perhaps a flogging out the deep. ( any fishing from Firecat will be appreciated after all this time)
"just got to wait a little bit longer."
Regards Steve.
Keep the report coming mate.
Ohh and water test pictures to.
"25 to 30 Knots straight down the Franklin"'Gale Warnings and all'
But first and foremost 'it's finished'.
Not without a few little problems on Friday though.
Cribies previous pictures do show the boats arse in the water but when the control box was assembled cab end a mix up was detected and I will only say that it's a fishing boat not a doughnut maker. :?: :?: :?: :twisted:
A missed ignition wire as well and it's back to the shop for a rather stressed out re-jig.....'never left the trailer'.
Well today conditions were atrocious...."all the stay at home stuff...high wind, breaking waves, **** eyed tide and "no witnesses in the car park to see these 'nut bags' taking a born again cat for a stroll".
Well a stroll it was !!
Sneak out of Welshpool ramp and wowww what a mess.
The Lewis was pushing hard with sideways slop so after a little spurt to check 'outta the hole shot' and 'WOT revs' it was 'get it on'.
"No playing with it....'it barked and away we went. WOT to the 'goal posts' at a very brisk 65 kph with water rolling in all directions and as I mentioned sideways push".
"No broaching, No ducking and weaving against the tide and wind just a planing sensation without a jar or bump..150 hp at 5350 RPM with not a leap or a shudder to be had."
"Around the corner and up the Franklin for a few k's into the Franklin's finest...standing horses and a direct head on gale"..."What the f... are we doing"??
"Well again Steve knows not a lot about gently she goes or back off and save the legs. It was as if it was a foot of chop with Firecat running above it all and again 'I telling you all this ... It's the softest riding thing I've been in".
Running back with a 'following sea' at all speeds from WOT to around 2000 rpm was as uneventful as before.."No pitch or rock and roll".
Negatives....yes a couple.
Because of the open hatch cut out for the anchor winch water did enter a bit.."no it gushed in at very low speed but this is a fixable vice.
I had my idea as to what the fix will be to which Criby agreed and a phone call to Dean (smokocat) put it as a must do as Dean is sorting his 49er the exact same way...."Telapathetic thought transfer".
The other is the 'spray' the 'spray' the 'spray'
"Yep it's big Cat now with all that mist on yah back when the windsa blowin"
"I will live with that and the crew can too"..." I may sort that out as well at a later stage but what the "...."" it's a weapon.""A soft riding predictable cruiser".
Now was the balance of the extension/wheel house cab/doubled fuel capacity detrimental to at rest attitude......."You make up your own mind boys and girls".
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