PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Great thread! That boat is really turning out nice.
My Bass Boat Project
- Thread starter MrSurly
- Start date
Pretty close to what my daughter said(!) about the $200!
The Luxury Woven samples that I’ve been admiring are these:
I don’t know how they’re made but they appear to be a fully woven product but importantly, those individual “threads” of vinyl are actually *bonded* together. You can’t physically separate them at all. Good news from a hook-catching standpoint.
The felt backing is 1/8” and this is porous material while the Marideck product is solid.
The lids are aluminum so it doesn’t actually matter.
We are now leaning toward #3
But truthfully, the red is appealling... I think the red (just on the lids) might look neat amongst the grey carpet... but I also feel that it might look, oh I don't know,... *cheesy*?
I’m going to order more samples
The Luxury Woven samples that I’ve been admiring are these:
I don’t know how they’re made but they appear to be a fully woven product but importantly, those individual “threads” of vinyl are actually *bonded* together. You can’t physically separate them at all. Good news from a hook-catching standpoint.
The felt backing is 1/8” and this is porous material while the Marideck product is solid.
The lids are aluminum so it doesn’t actually matter.
We are now leaning toward #3
But truthfully, the red is appealling... I think the red (just on the lids) might look neat amongst the grey carpet... but I also feel that it might look, oh I don't know,... *cheesy*?
I’m going to order more samples
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Jayman17
Well-known member
It’s a bass boat, it’s supposed to razzle and dazzle your prey into making a bad decision like eating a crank bait. 
Jay
Jay
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That's why he popped for the metallic red paint, Jay.It’s a bass boat, it’s supposed to razzle and dazzle your prey into making a bad decision like eating a crank bait.
Jay
383
Well-known member
If you are barefoot in the boat, darker colors will be a lot hotter than similar color carpet.
getting things sorted, went fishing with grandson#2, made note of need for storage or at least thoughtful efficiency in how to utilize what’s there. The LED lights inside the storage wells are amazingly useful, even in daylight.
Adding these little bungee rod hold downs. I like them so much i’m putting them in several spots to tie down stuff. Still adding widgets... cup holders, bump board, paddle mount, the list grows.
i “revealed” the boat to the previous owner, a good friend, co-worker and hunting buddy for thirty years or so... he literally did not recognize it from forty foot away. He was within reach when it struck him. He was MIGHTY impressed, very complimentary, he just gloated over it for ten minutes.
First thing out of his mouth was “this MF-er looks *GOOOOOOOD*!
That’s when i realized that seeing his reaction was ONE of the reasons i did this.. just to see the look on his face. It was very satisfying.
Ordering more vinyl material samples.
Trying out other props. Boat currently runs 40mph at 5k rpm. According to the Garmin GPS. The pitot tube speedo is overly optimistic.
More to come!
Adding these little bungee rod hold downs. I like them so much i’m putting them in several spots to tie down stuff. Still adding widgets... cup holders, bump board, paddle mount, the list grows.
i “revealed” the boat to the previous owner, a good friend, co-worker and hunting buddy for thirty years or so... he literally did not recognize it from forty foot away. He was within reach when it struck him. He was MIGHTY impressed, very complimentary, he just gloated over it for ten minutes.
First thing out of his mouth was “this MF-er looks *GOOOOOOOD*!
That’s when i realized that seeing his reaction was ONE of the reasons i did this.. just to see the look on his face. It was very satisfying.
Ordering more vinyl material samples.
Trying out other props. Boat currently runs 40mph at 5k rpm. According to the Garmin GPS. The pitot tube speedo is overly optimistic.
More to come!
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I sounds great, but I need a little more. It's running a 13x19 right now. I'm on the search for a 13x17 prop, possibly a jack plate.
As soon as I can pick up the right deal on a parts motor, I'll be upgrading this 88 to a 115HP. It'll be able to swing the 19 then, by golly
Yes..."just because"
As soon as I can pick up the right deal on a parts motor, I'll be upgrading this 88 to a 115HP. It'll be able to swing the 19 then, by golly
Yes..."just because"
That would be OK if it was me. But hey, we're always looking for 'more' aren't we?
Meanwhile, IIRC my dad's Caravel Cathedral hulled boat did ~ 40 with a Merc 110.
Later today I will pick up another couple of props to try out.
The 'issue' that annoys me a tiny bit is the inability to use the power trim to full effect due to porpoising that sets in at about 1/4 trim. I expected the jack plate to improve this but it didn't.
This hull does NOT have any 'hook' or 'rocker' (as evident in the pics on the first page) and being a 'padded vee' it handles amazingly , like a big jetski. Wide open 41-42MPH full lock to lock figure eights(!) But it still has this tendency to porpoise with trimming, which I haven't sorted out. Moving batteries to the front is a maybe, running two tanks vs three...
I *might* put trim tabs on it just for grins. I'm interested in others' experience with them.
The 'issue' that annoys me a tiny bit is the inability to use the power trim to full effect due to porpoising that sets in at about 1/4 trim. I expected the jack plate to improve this but it didn't.
This hull does NOT have any 'hook' or 'rocker' (as evident in the pics on the first page) and being a 'padded vee' it handles amazingly , like a big jetski. Wide open 41-42MPH full lock to lock figure eights(!) But it still has this tendency to porpoise with trimming, which I haven't sorted out. Moving batteries to the front is a maybe, running two tanks vs three...
I *might* put trim tabs on it just for grins. I'm interested in others' experience with them.
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I have now ordered the Luxury Woven vinyl known as sample #3 above for the lid-covering project phase.
I am also actively seeking a matching donor engine to give up its powerhead, if I can find the correct one. The ideal candidate is an OMC "crossflow V4 bubbleback" which actually covers quite a few models. Pre-'86 140s and post-'85 115s (effectively the same engine and output).
This would offer a 'bolt on' 27HP upgrade....
I am also actively seeking a matching donor engine to give up its powerhead, if I can find the correct one. The ideal candidate is an OMC "crossflow V4 bubbleback" which actually covers quite a few models. Pre-'86 140s and post-'85 115s (effectively the same engine and output).
This would offer a 'bolt on' 27HP upgrade....
nadogail
Well-known member
Great Progress
The vinyl material has arrived but not ready to work on that yet as other things have popped up. First, though, I have to say that I really love this boat! I’ve had it out numerous times dicking with props and etc just trying to boost its performance but that sort of muddies the fact that the boat runs snd handles superbly, if not rocket-fast, it’s pleasantly smooth, precise and comfy for cruising 25mph just on plane or running 40.
I took the lady friend for a day ride on Caddo lake (a Cypress filled natural lake that actually offers *SHADE*!!!!!) and it was a great day, the boat was flawless, five stars, all the way!
I took the lady friend for a day ride on Caddo lake (a Cypress filled natural lake that actually offers *SHADE*!!!!!) and it was a great day, the boat was flawless, five stars, all the way!
the bow eye repair looks horrible and I will re configure it later for appearance’ sake but it’s fully functional and I have more 3/8” SS rod.
After the bow eye repair, back to performance tweaks.
I have been thinking of trying trim tabs; I’ve never had them. I’ve always wondered how they might fix certain issues.
The issue that bugs me a bit with this rig is that I have power trim but can’t really use it as the boat begins to porpoise after raising the trim maybe 15% of its range.
Hoping that trim tabs might prove helpful, so (of course) I started building some!
I had some old 11ga alloy plate that was weld practice and troubleshooting. It has holes and deformation but i’ll fix it as I go.
I wanted them to be adjustable, so i went all hillbilly on cobbling them up.
I’ll head to the water shortly to see what great advantages await!
of course you have to understand that these adjusters are purely for proof of concept sort of testing. If these things prove to work to help performance, low speed planing, etc, I’ll make or buy proper struts for the setup.
After the bow eye repair, back to performance tweaks.
I have been thinking of trying trim tabs; I’ve never had them. I’ve always wondered how they might fix certain issues.
The issue that bugs me a bit with this rig is that I have power trim but can’t really use it as the boat begins to porpoise after raising the trim maybe 15% of its range.
Hoping that trim tabs might prove helpful, so (of course) I started building some!
I had some old 11ga alloy plate that was weld practice and troubleshooting. It has holes and deformation but i’ll fix it as I go.
I wanted them to be adjustable, so i went all hillbilly on cobbling them up.
I’ll head to the water shortly to see what great advantages await!
of course you have to understand that these adjusters are purely for proof of concept sort of testing. If these things prove to work to help performance, low speed planing, etc, I’ll make or buy proper struts for the setup.
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Harbor freight trim tabs?
Tried out the trim tab set up briefly, was able to at least see some benefit from them but the HF clamps proved too flimsy to get much run time with them. The plastic body of the clamp jaw proved to be the failure point because of course they are not designed to be cut up and drilled and molested..... or turned into marine parts!
Before they broke, though, I was able to see significant increase in the usable trim range and at least the promise of more performance on tap once i get a more suitable adjustable strut for the purpose.
With the tabs set at >zero< (even with the hull) usable trim range was dramatically better.
The implication is that cranking a little downforce in should improve things further (maybe).
Before they broke, though, I was able to see significant increase in the usable trim range and at least the promise of more performance on tap once i get a more suitable adjustable strut for the purpose.
With the tabs set at >zero< (even with the hull) usable trim range was dramatically better.
The implication is that cranking a little downforce in should improve things further (maybe).
Picked up turnbuckles at Lowe’s, these should prove plenty stout enough for the job. I plan to put it in the water this evening to see.
Rather than deal with wrenches and lock nuts at this juncture, i affixed some easy bungees to prevent vibration-induced rotation.
After testing and likely determining a ‘best’ setting, I’ll install jam nuts and remove the bungees.
These little mounted ‘rod holder’ bungees are great. I’m placing them in lots of spots, not just for rod holding.
Rather than deal with wrenches and lock nuts at this juncture, i affixed some easy bungees to prevent vibration-induced rotation.
After testing and likely determining a ‘best’ setting, I’ll install jam nuts and remove the bungees.
These little mounted ‘rod holder’ bungees are great. I’m placing them in lots of spots, not just for rod holding.
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Did some testing of the trim tabs on Wednesday. I found there to be *some* improvement. The boat's highest speed had been achieved running an 18" cupped SS prop with the jack plate way high, trim maxed out, allowing considerable 'slip' of the prop. The highest speed was 42GPS. That setup performed less than ideally at other speeds, though and the holeshot was loud, dramatic and lousy.
With the 17" cupped SS prop and the jackplate lowered fully, the holeshot is much improved, cruising at 25mph is very nice and the top speed dropped a bit to 38.5gps. Trimming is limited to maybe a quarter of the trim range (limited by porpoising).
Adding the trim tabs helped damp the porpoising a bit which allowed the application of more trim angle (about half).
With the tabs lowered a 1/2" the result is that I can use some trim and with the 17" prop, achieve a solid 40gps.
Now I have a very rounded set up, great out of the hole, terrific controllable, comfortable, sustainable on-plane cruise (25gps) and a respectable top speed of 40gps with great manners, sharp turns, no slide-out, no wallowing, very predictable handling. I am VERY pleased.
Although I'm still considering upgrading the powerhead, the bare truth is that it does not NEED it.
Now, all that is left is to install the new fancy carpets on the lids!
With the 17" cupped SS prop and the jackplate lowered fully, the holeshot is much improved, cruising at 25mph is very nice and the top speed dropped a bit to 38.5gps. Trimming is limited to maybe a quarter of the trim range (limited by porpoising).
Adding the trim tabs helped damp the porpoising a bit which allowed the application of more trim angle (about half).
With the tabs lowered a 1/2" the result is that I can use some trim and with the 17" prop, achieve a solid 40gps.
Now I have a very rounded set up, great out of the hole, terrific controllable, comfortable, sustainable on-plane cruise (25gps) and a respectable top speed of 40gps with great manners, sharp turns, no slide-out, no wallowing, very predictable handling. I am VERY pleased.
Although I'm still considering upgrading the powerhead, the bare truth is that it does not NEED it.
Now, all that is left is to install the new fancy carpets on the lids!