The custom build continues; A photo update.

[Fortunate One]

ADVERTISE HERE

Steve,

When they do the final sanding on the teak they will round over the edge. The outer edge will get a slight round over also so lines don't fray if an inexperienced angler lets the line hit the teak.

You just don't see wood working like this every day. Especially shaping the toe rail the way that Bill is doing it. And his design on the bowsprit is just perfect. The stainless steel anchor is going to tuck right up tight underneath it.

Bill has yet to shape the inner side of the toe rail but after seeing where he left off on Friday, I imagine it's going to be done today or tomorrow.

Here are a few more pieces of eye candy.

Helm Pod in place.

[N2theBlue]

that dovetailing is gorgeous

[SteveK]

Mike,

If that helm pod looks so nice right now, imagine how gorgeous it will look with tuna blood splatters on it! And the first sword that you slide through the door will be able to see itself in the reflection inside the cockpit ! I think I'm running out of adjectives to describe this build now.............

Steve

[Questsportfishing]

it will be done when it's done. a good wood craftsman is amazing! we put spray rails on boats long ago and a guy handed me an air file... I fell in love with it ... the boat looks simple and has a great bunch of storage and room from what it looks like. good on ya kid! I see your going to a freezer plate system you will like it if shes done right. (btw... where is the underwater lights???) just kidding... opps no I'm not where are they???.. they attract everything from swordfish to sea trout at the dock..

[Fortunate One]

Steve,

If you like the helm pod, you're going to love the look of the cabin hatch and the chart table frame and the cabin steps.

I sat on the Besenzoni helm chair today, I told Dave when those are installed with the rest of the fine wood work then the boats going to be too nice to fish.

Quest, The change to the freezer plates was a good idea. The guy that’s doing the hvac agreed that it’s a much better choice than the ice maker. Now if he will ever show back up to continue work I'd be relieved. He's been M.I.A. for too long fixing all of the hvac stuff on older boats as we went through a modest heat wave. Why is it that people wait for the last minute to see if there cooling units are working is beyond me.

I'm going to add the underwater lights over the winter. I'm still trying to catch my breath and part with the money for the electronic package. I'm not going to need the lights this season anyway.

I don't think we could have built in any more storage areas. Every little nook and cranny has storage. Even the seat built into the shower wall will flip up to access another storage area for soap containers and such.

Anywhere there was a potential for water to get into even while washing down, was built with drains or scuppers to divert the water out of the boat. and if an area needed to be drained it was built with the bottom sloped to divert the water to the drain.

I was reading Marlin Magazine and saw this boat that built in a storage area under the gunnels that held all of the brushes, brush poles and cutting board and it used heat from the engine room blowers to dry the storage area out. Now that was something that I didn't do but may have done over the winter. It would be easy since the Delta-T engine room blowers are installed in an area that could feed directly in front of the built in storage area. Simply reverse the blower to suck the hot air out of the engine room and you have an instant dryer.

They finished shaping the toe rail today and they installed the windless on a trial fit. I should have brought my camera.

The top sides are ready for paint. The last massage took place Friday and today and she's ready for color. The nonskid is scheduled to go down in a day or so and then they're going to reinstall the windscreen. I had them remove it and paint the frame. I wasn't too happy with the quality of the anodized finish. It’s going back on in a "Cloud White" color like the upper helm area and forward deck.


Anyway, I’m happy to be sharing this once in a lifetime build with everyone that’s interested.


Mike
(Fortunate One)

[giantfan]

OH MY!!!

Pure artwork!!!!


Thanks for keeping us updated. I have been following this all along. I think I need a dribble cup.

[clt_capt]

She is absolutely gorgeous - and getting more so each day.

I'm glad she is yours though - the thought of keeping her looking that way is mind blowing.

[SteveK]

Hi Mike,

On the underwater lights, I installed Ocean LEDs this spring. The install literally took me one hour from start to finish. So take your time to research what you want for lights this winter, and they can get installed next spring. We've done three trips so far, and the Oceans have performed beautifully. I like the low amperage draw on the batteries in particular, and not having to fuss with a cord over the side or other junk is great too. With the size of your transom, you've got enough space to really light things up with several banks of LEDs across the back.

Steve

[Questsportfishing]

I'd have the stern lights, a bottom strobe and light her up! (the strobes a little much ...) we have it on a sportfish I run though looks cool as anything at night.

[Mark Ray]

Mike, amazing machine your putting together there. Thanks for the interest in my artwork for your project. It's very flattering, even more so after viewing all 28 pages of this post. I helped with a boat project a few years back on a custom Egg Harbor called the Aqua Epicurean owned by Jeff Smith who also owns EZ2CY acrylic enclosures for boats. Jeff used my artwork for the salon floors in the boat. Here's a few pics.