1997 Albemarle Refit a two Year project coming to a end!

[Lobo Marine Products]

So we wanted more gauges to monitor motors performance, but we wanted a way to fit them in the counsol. Not an easy Task. So we went to the drawing board and machined this amazing pod, where the gauges will be protected from the elements. It boasts a water tight compartment to the gauge faces and Led lighting through out.

Did we go overboard on this?

MAYBE!

[Lobo Marine Products]

Over the past several weeks we have been tackling painting the hull sides and top sides, this proved to be a PITA. You would think after painting three other boats we would get used to this...Never! THe Hull sides we used Awlgrip and had a custom color fabricated for us. On the topsides we used Awlgrip bright white. We appologize for the poor pictures. It is very difficult for us to take photos of the hull because of the little room within the building. More pictures to come soon.

[Lobo Marine Products]

So when we went to pull the mfg. serial number plate off we realized it was not suited for the new hull, so we decided to machine a new one from 316 ss, mainly because it holds its polish beautifully.

[Lobo Marine Products]

So It was time to take a break from real work and the boat work. We decided to hop on a plane and fly down to Costa Rica to do some fishing. On march 9 and 10th we got to Playa Flamingo and took a boat out of there. The day was windy, but we remained optamistic! We boarded the La Chila-G and headed out. We ran to the offshore grounds according to our captain, unfortunatly the waster was red according to the captain, my assumption was a red tide of a sort. So we ran back inshore and began to fish for some roosters. Fortunatly, we salvaged the day wth catching some bait and then trolling for roosters. around 2:30pm we hooked up with our first and only rooster. I was impressed with the fight this fish put out! after a short but dramatic fight we boated the fish, took our photo and sent him on his way! Then after hooking up with another rooster it was Carlos's time! after a fe minutes the rod went limp and we realized we lost our fish. After an hour or so we headed back in, very disappointed with just one fish!

The next day we departed from the same location on the same boat with the same captain. This time we ran offshore and the crew set out some lines for marlin/sail. This day the water was much cleaner! We trolled all day at a speed that we thought was to slow to raise billfish! But we are no experts in these waters, so we did not say a thing. After trolling with NO BITES for 5 hours we came accross another charter boat that appeared to be american owned, these guys were trolling much faster then we had. Our capt. then elected to accelerate to match the speed of the other boat. About 30 minutes later we seen our first marlin surface. The excitement began. The Capt. and crew were very excited, afterall they should be, they were about to salvage a pretty crappy charter. He circled the fish until the marlin took the far center Bally! Carlos grabed the rod and the fish took off on its initial run, the Capt. accelerated the boat and next thing you know the fish was off the bait, again we lost another fish. We tried circling the fish a few more times until it dove! And then it was time to head back to shore!

The thing I am fortunate for is having the ability to fish with my father, and being able to experience a new country. On the otherhand I am very disappointed with the Papagayo Charter company and would never fish with them again. That boat we seen offshore turned out to raise fish, something tells me experience and american owned charters are the way to go in places like this!

[RogerMadoreBoats]

Guys the boat is looking great, would love to stop by when it's done and take a look.

[Lobo Marine Products]

Guys the boat is looking great, would love to stop by when it's done and take a look.

Sounds like a plan! Were shooting to get it in the water in the next two months, all the finish work it a PITA....Hows your boat coming along?

[RogerMadoreBoats]

Was hoping to flip it in next couple of weeks and get going on inside. Would love to have it done by end of April but not sure. Ordered a Evinrude 50 hp for it.

[Lobo Marine Products]

With the break in the weather, we have been working diligently. Its suprising how much we have got done and she is finally coming along.
Recently we painted the upper deck, cockpit, the hard top and even the livewells have been painted.
There has been many small issues that we had to overcome, some of which were random holes that the previous owner placed to mount stuff. Also the window frames were painted black as the anodize was dull.

Also New antennas and painted with awlgrip black....
Outriggers being painted Black!

[Lobo Marine Products]

Epiglassed the bottom then barrier coated the bottom. Then topped it with black Micron CSC

[Lobo Marine Products]

Upon assessing the Consol on the half tower we realized that the bolts holding it to the tower were actually digging and cutting away at the consol. So we decided to remove it and refinish it. Upon taking it off we realized that the former owner bolted alot of accessories and crap. So everything was removed filled and faired. We then prepped and painted the exterior the color of the Hull and inside painted Black.