1988 Shoalwater 176 Rebuild

[redfishjim]

You're right, Fallguy, but I just don't like the idea of the pump being in the wettest part of the boat. So I splurged... I have an action series bobs heading my way! Has me rethinking the powerpole to, I just might have to give a minnkota talon a shot. No hydraulic pumps in the rear compartments sounds pretty dang nice!

I started moving the console and leaning post into position to finalize positions. Never really liked the OG console, but didn't hate it. Well on Saturday, after looking at it for long enough to feel anxious, I said screw it, I'm building a console! Made the trip into town, got my plywood, made a quick design on sketchup. Got it cut, glued, sanded, routered, and sanded some more. Hoping to have this thing fiberglassed, faired, and primed by the end of the week.

Anybody need an center console or standard bob's jackplate? They're for sale.

[fallguy1000]

Not sure what u got planned for the cc, but typically, you’d keep a small sill or wall or threshold say 2” high to keep out rainwater.

[redfishjim]

You're right, but I just followed what most the Texas builders do and just leave it open without a sill there. If it causes a problem, I'll stew on it for years and will come up with something eventually.

I'm planning on glassing the console to the deck. Any thoughts if I can get away with gluing the console to the deck with fillets on both sides and glassing just the inside, or do I really need to glass both in and out? I still have a bunch of 1708 cut up in 8in tape.

Typical Texas flats center console.

[fallguy1000]

You can roll the dice on that. It’ll probably be fine no tabbing out. But part of the reason for a sill is it also allows tabbing on all sides, along with less chance for water intrusion.

[redfishjim]

Couple steps closer. Over the weekend, got the console primed and got the jackplate installed. Big week coming. Motor is getting installed Saturday!

[Jeff]

Really nice work!! Jeff

[redfishjim]

Thanks, Jeff, she's slowly coming together.

Got one step closer to hitting the water. Got the motor hung this morning. Enjoying my day of college football, will hit the boat hard the next couple days.

Happy Labor Day Weekend everyone!

[fallguy1000]

I’m a little nervous she’s gonna porpoise for you. If it does, just add a whale tail. Looking great. Dan

[redfishjim]

We'll see how she runs. With prop work, trim tabs, and a cavitation plate, plenty of ways to remedy purposing. I'm not looking to get 50 mph out this boat, but I am looking to get up on plane in very shallow flats and drains. To counter the larger outboard, I've moved the console up 10", and got rid of any batteries in rear compartment. It'll be fun tinkering to get her dialed in.

[TomW1]

Nice work Jim. If you want I can run your numbers through my prop calculators and come up with a prop number for you. I would recommend a 4-blade prop for you. Now I would need some numbers from you. Most important is weight of the boat as it sits at the dock ready to go without the motor. That means all the gear, ice, coolers, weight of the boat, passengers, batteries, fuel and tank, and any extras you might have on her. Then give me what motor you are using; I have all the specs for all the brands and will add that to the total weight you give me.

It looks like this is a flat bottom boat, does it have a tunnel?

Tom