Another November Splash - With Pics (I hope)

GA_Boater

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It finally happened. Yesterday I splashed :D the '66 Nassau I got at the end of August. Since then I have massaged the trailer, rewired/repaired the boat harness, added a bilge pump and repaired the steering. The Merc 500 has a new water pump, rebuilt fuel pump and repaired the motor wiring harness. I have no idea how long she was dormant, but had some trouble getting spark. Any way got her running on muffs and finally in a barrel. Easy starter when warm, have to pump the bulb a bit when cold. I even tried the original pull rope, started right up except the wood handle crumbled to dust.

I launched at Carters Lake near Jasper, GA. About an hour away but all the lakes are on winter draw down and low because of no rain. Carters is about the highest of the low and the ramps are easier due to the higher water level. The Merc is a jewel. Pushes the boat up on plane quickly and topped out just a hair under 30 mph (GPS) I used an auto GPS and can only get speed reading on a trip. I said "Go Home" and quickly got tired of the talking witch telling me to make a legal u-turn. I was dizzy from water doughnuts. LOL No leaks, no evil handling and not a bad ride at all.

I need to play with the trim/motor height some. I think the motor is a little high - about 1 1/2 to 2 inches above the transom bottom. And when I r/r'ed the lower unit, I got the reverse lock off a spline - need to drop again. The trailer needs some guide bunks, I had a chore trying to center the boat pulling out. I want to get a farkle tach (thats for Jas), it was buzzing pretty good at full throttle and I have no clue if it was over or under max rpm (4800-5500). In two hours I burned about 2 gallons of gas. A lot of putt-putting and hole shots and cruising around 20-25 mph. I'm happy. :D:D:D Only one casualty. The Sun peeked through the clouds into my eyes. I haven't finished polishing the windshield and couldn't see with the glare. I raised up above the W/S and poof lost my favorite hat. :eek: Note to self - Gotta PM MP

So where are the pics? Me, iboats and Photo bucket are fighting with each other. :mad: Woodonglass instructions aren't working for me, they did the last time. Pics ARE coming. I promise!
 

sschefer

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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

Congratulations on the splash and obviously a job well done. Don't worry about the pic's those are just for people without imaginations anyway. Not many of us here have that problem or we wouldn't be restoring boats.
 

GA_Boater

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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

Let's try pics

All ready to go

100_0139.jpg



Sitting at the dock

100_0140.jpg


Bubbling away

100_0141.jpg


A shot of the dash - I had a car radio (trashed) and filled the hole with nav light/bilge switch and a cig lighter for 12V source. This is all temporary.

100_0142.jpg


An over the shoulder stern shot. I think the Mob likes these!

100_0143.jpg



I think the old gal did pretty good. Still some things to fix and still thinking about restore or just do fix ups. This is the first time on the water in over 10 years. It's fun again. After I got back Mrs. Boater told me she will go out with me. This is after she said nothing smaller than the QE II for her. Said she would have gone yesterday, but wanted to make sure it didn't sink. A vote of confidence - I think.
 
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GA_Boater

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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

Congratulations on the splash and obviously a job well done. Don't worry about the pic's those are just for people without imaginations anyway. Not many of us here have that problem or we wouldn't be restoring boats.

Thanks Steve. I don't know about a job well done, but no rescue needed. That's a plus!
 

sschefer

Rear Admiral
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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

Hey, you did a great job just getting her on the water after 10 years! Now the fun starts. A little here, a little there, save a little, add a little more... it never ends but neither does the satisfaction.
 

GA_Boater

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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

Hey, you did a great job just getting her on the water after 10 years! Now the fun starts. A little here, a little there, save a little, add a little more... it never ends but neither does the satisfaction.

Steve, I was last on the water 10 years ago with my old Aristocraft. I have no idea how long this one sat before I got her in August. Judging by the leaves and the old sticker that died in '06, it sat for at least 5 years. A boat is never finished. You are right about the satisfaction!
 

rheagler

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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

Congrats on the splash! Looks like a fun boat.
 

MichaelP

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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

EXCELLENT!!!!! Yea it does seem like the mob likes those over-the-shoulder wake shots, I know I do. Thanks for sharing that experience with us. 10 years...How did you manage that?
 

Bwana Don

Lieutenant Commander
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Oct 20, 2009
Messages
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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

Awesome! Glad to see you've got her going. Love them old Mercs too, they are beautiful. That's a great combo you've got there.
 

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 20, 2009
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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

Yaaaahhhhhhhhhoooooooo!!!!!

Starcraft on the water!!!!!


:D:D:D

Well done GA!!
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 26, 2007
Messages
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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

Congrats. Looks sweet on the water. We had a lot of fun with our little Jupiter (same boat basically) and I'm sure you'll continue to enjoy that one. The robin's egg blue and classic Merc are a great combo.
 

rrumba

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May 31, 2011
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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

great news there GA, looks like she is doing quite well. congrats and we still need to get a cup of coffee at some point. gotta love this weather, high 60s good for painting, except the rain :facepalm: then the cold comes tomorrow........ really messing with my head here.
 

GA_Boater

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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

Thanks for all the nice comments, Mob. My brain is spinning with how to follow-up. She needs paint to cover 45 years of dock rash and thinning paint. I forgot to mention that my butt went through the stbd. seat. For some reason the wood in the stbd. bact-to-back is shot and the port seat is nice and solid. I'm kicking some seating ideas around. At least the transom and deck are good. And I have some ideas for the dash as well.

I'm gonna lower the Merc some and go out next week - weather permitting. Will be reporting back with the results and more pics.

But the big thing as Jason said "
aaaahhhhhhhhhoooooooo!!!!!

Starcraft on the water!!!!!
"

Pretty much sums it up. :D:D:D:D:D
 

TundraRocks

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Oct 18, 2009
Messages
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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

Great to see another SC hit the water...I'm sure Mrs. Boater will enjoy the Nassau. Looks like a great project.
 

ezmobee

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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

I replaced my dash in my Jupiter with a PVC trim board from Lowes. Real nice to work with and will never rot.
 

GA_Boater

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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

I replaced my dash in my Jupiter with a PVC trim board from Lowes. Real nice to work with and will never rot.

That's a possibility, EZ. Short of reducing the boat to component parts, that wood dash will never come out whole. Thanks.

And thanks Tundra. Time will tell if the Mrs. goes for a ride. I hope she does, I'll even let her play Captain.
 

jasoutside

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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

An over the shoulder stern shot. I think the Mob likes these!

100_0143.jpg

By the way, I believe I can speak for the group here, yes we like this:D:D:D

Cheers man!:)
 

GA_Boater

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rrumba

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Re: Another November Splash

Re: Another November Splash

I replaced my dash in my Jupiter with a PVC trim board from Lowes. Real nice to work with and will never rot.


now that i do like....might have to go that route with mine.
 
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