1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Anyone have any idea for me to be able to launch my 24' Grady by myself? It takes two people to launch my boat, so unless I can find a fishing buddy to help I'm unable to go by myself. Problem is that when I back down the ramp, and get the hull in the water, it makes the bow so high that I could not get into the boat to back it off the trailer. I would have to swim to the stern to board! Next time I launch I'l try and take a couple pics that demonstrate my problem.

Guess I could put long ropes on bow and stern then ask a by-stander if he would mind assisting for the launch. Back the trailer into the water until boat floats off trailer, with stern drive "up", and have the by-stander pull the bow around until it's parallel with the dock while I follow-up with the stern rope. Tie it off and then go park the vehicle and trailer. "Now trailering the boat would be another whole bucket of worms!" I'd be at the helm and still have to go for a swim to get to the winch! It's a long fall from the anchor pulpit down to the tongue of the trailer. Hmmmmmm

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Does anyone think my "two axle trailer" might be too small for my boat? The boat fueled wieghs around 6000-7000 lbs.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Looks adequate to me size-wise. I dont' know the rating of your axles.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Who's got a suggestion for making an enlarged cuddy entrance door? It's really tough getting in and out of the cuddy. I want to cut into the helm deck and install a kit, of some sort, to close the top. Anyone know where I can get such a kit? Thanks

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Has anyone seen a roll-top that will close the top and door? Don't really know where to look for something like that. Might have to make my own if I find a source. Thanks

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Nobody knows my pain! Gotta be someone who knows something!

 

[Big Island Lifer]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)



This isn't a great pic. I have an '85 Sea Ray Amberjack that has a bifold hatch over the cabin opening. It has 2 pian0 type hinges that allow all three panels to fold into eachother and rest on top of the dash area under the windshield.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

That seems to be a good idea. How does it seal to the helm deck to keep water from running in? Got a couple more pics? Thanks, Ron

 

[Big Island Lifer]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

If It stops raining here I'll be on the boat tomorrow. Hopefully I can get pics posted by the end of the weekend. Essentially the hatch is built on a frame that is dropped in the hole. The piano hinges are covered in vinyl. Mine doesn't get wet (covered slip and indoor winter storage) The wood is laminate covered particle board ( typical to sea rays of the era) with teak trim. The teak frame had a bead of silicone caulk between it and the padded vinyl dash before I recovered the vinyl.

 

[ingalp01]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

My Chris Craft has a very intersting hatch configuration and I'll try to get some pics of it. Basically it's a sliding frame system. I imagine you could glass up some rails and just set an accordian style panel over it, or just 2 or 3 panels that "snap" in place and when out, store in the cabin...

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Thanks guys! I'll be waiting to see more pics. Finally we got some rain here also. I really feel bad for the people living in the North though. They get rain and we are having drought.

Problem with my cuddy entry is that you have to hang like an "ape" to get down into it. Getting back out isn't any simple feat either! Just imagine a 6', 240 pound man hanging by the grab bar and trying to find steady footing. "IT AINT PURY!" LoL

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Somebody got pics?

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Thanks for the pics Darren.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

"Yes I'm still around!" Bought an aluminium Majic Tilt trailer last week that should fit my Grady better than the galvanized one that I'm currently using. Don't know if I'll bore everyone with the rehab on it or post it over in the trailer forum. Don't guess it really belongs here.
Paid $500 for it and is going to need the usual bearings, brakes, inertia coupler etc. Here's a pic.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

If I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all! Started tearing into the brakes and everything is gone. Had to buy new everything from the axle stub out except the hub. They will machine out just fine. The rear axle hub bearings and seals are also gone. The inertia brake cylinder and components are bad also. Looks like this "good deal" trailer is now going to cost me around $1600-$1800 but at least I know it will be a good one when finished. Cleaned up the electric winch, a Model 912, cleaned and greased all the gears and put power to it. "It works fine!"

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

YUK, YUK, YUK, YUK!!!

Found something that really cleans aluminium trailers great! Of course it won't clean grease and oil off but if you want to clean mold, mildew and dirt this is what you ought to try. See pic below.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Went out fishing yesterday for the first time in almost 3 months with my son and grandaughter. I want you to know it was one hot summer day out there and my grandaughter out fished me once again! Here 3 to my one! Guess I better go over to the salt water fishing forum before I get in trouble. This isn't exactly like restoration.

 

[markoyl]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

nice one!

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Welcome to the forum Markoyl! The catfish isn't very good eating but my grandaughter is quite the fishergirl! She also caught a puffer fish, stingray and dogfish. "She's my fishing buddy."

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1982 GW, 24' Project (UPDATED W/PICS)

Well I just can't stand it! Gotta go fishing again tomorrow. Even if it's hotter than hell out there, the call of the sea beckons me. LoL Made a couple of spoon lures that I want to try out. I kinda copied the "Viper Spoons" like they use up in Yankee land. Let youse guys know how they worked out.

Here's a couple of pics of my fishing buddy and his son-in-law of the Black Drum we caught last fall. We caught lot's of these this year also but got tired of taking pictures of them. They are easy to catch and lots of fun landing them.