Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

So we took a couple days off to fish our butts off! We had an amazing couple of days on the water without all the jetskis and joy riders. Killed the perch, gills and smallmouth! Started in the Irishhills and worked our way to Erie. Burnt to a crisp we took today off. Besides my hands are sore as heck from all the fillets I've cut in the past 48hrs.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Today I'm working on the console and the front bow seating. Some modifications needed due to the thickness in the floor change, minor adjustments that were worth the strength. Here's where I'm at to this point.

 

[paparoof]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

So we took a couple days off to fish our butts off! We had an amazing couple of days on the water without all the jetskis and joy riders. Killed the perch, gills and smallmouth! Started in the Irishhills and worked our way to Erie. Burnt to a crisp we took today off. Besides my hands are sore as heck from all the fillets I've cut in the past 48hrs.

That's how I learned to fillet fish - a five gallon bucket full of 6" perch. Took HOURS. If that doesn't teach ya, nothing will!

The interior looks great too Hoss - I'm loving how quickly this is coming together. I don't know what your hurry is though - do lakes even freeze at all in Ohio?

 

[Rghammond]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Did not get to the Gluvit last night. Might have to wait to monday now, going to Yarmouth for a bbq with the grandkids, don't seem to have the energy I used to but the pics of your boat help me keep going. Thanks

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Looking good. Word of advice.....get your windshield up on there NOW to check fitment before you go any further. I didn't and then needed to do some major adjustment to get it to line up right and it darn near made me have to recut those painstaking console panels.

 

[erwinner]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

I've read a bunch of the restore threads and this one is definitely my favorite!
No offense to ezmobee, Woodonglass, and the others I've read start to finish.
The mirror finish with white is such a great look and you've done a top notch job all around!
I love my little aluminum Grumman but someday will join the Starmada!

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Papaproof - They hardly freeze at all anymore, when I was a kid we'd count on Erie freezing for the perch and walleye. Dang that Al Gore!!

Rghammond - I have an extra two pounds of the Gluvit if you need it. I got a great price from a local marina that sold it at cost. It turns out they can order 6 -2lb cans for what we pay for one. I bought a case and used 4 on the SS. I'm keeping one for the Jet's eventual makeover. I like Jasons design of the open bow. Going to copy the idea this winter.

EZ, I didn't even think of that yet....thanks for the heads up. I will set that up in the morning.

erwinner, Thanks for the compliment! Seriously appreciated Bud. Grumman is no slouch either, they had a factory in Techumseh MI when I was a kid. Went there with my grandfather and he bought us our first boat. That thing was bullet proof! Beat the heck out of it and my cousins kid still uses it duck hunting. Good luck looking for your Starcraft, send me some pics when you get her.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

The weather was great for one more run at the gills today. Had to hit it before all the jet skis and drunkards hit the lake this weekend. Caught 48 today and the wife landed one that just fell short of a Michigan record! The fish she pulled in was a hair over 12" and 2.5lbs. I was amazed and she was shrieking so loud the whole lake heard her. I just finished cleaning the cooler full and I'm thinking I have carpal tunnel by now. Early retirement ploy wheels spinning after the past two weeks off.

 

[KellyC]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Man Hoss you are really going to town on that rig, it is looking very good there buddy. And the fishing would be a great thing to do and wishing I was doing the same thing. The boats are out in force on the river here and I have been hearing that there are tons of salmon being caught along with steelhead. Keep up the good work bud.

 

[Rghammond]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Thanks for the offer on the gluvit. I am going to visit the grandkids this weekend but hope to get to the gluvit monday. Then I will know if I need more, I paid &45 + at Hamilton Marine, best price I could find. By the way, nice Notre Dame coat, I'll be wearing my Boston College this weekend, no rivalry there, huh?

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Well the vacation is over and I'm back to work, the fishing was incredible and the much needed break was well used. Back to work on the boat. I'll be stopping by to check on the fleet tonight when I get home.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Bout time you showed up hoss, time for action now man!

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Was able to accomplish a few things in the past two days. Drilled for the thru-hull bilge discharge. Not an easy feeling drilling into the side of the boat by the way. I went with the stainless steel fitting, pretty satisfied with the look.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Had enough time yesterday to get the windshield on.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

I finally got the bullet end caps and put them on, didn't like them. They looked pretty cheaply made and were already flaking the finish. So as I debated it I drove to a salvage yard in Erie, Mi today. I got a great deal on an entire stainless steel tube rail and fittings from a 24ft Thompson. The entire rail system cost me $30 and a visit from the wasps that were living in the boat. The guy working there got stung several times but Ole Hosses ninja-like reflexes and a lot of running like a mad schizophrenic kept me safe.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

By the way the place I got the rail from has EVERYTHING from these old rigs we're working on! Man I could have really used this place over the years. If you guys are looking for odd parts give it a try. He took me into a few pole barns that had engines and parts stacked to the roof. Here's the info.

http://www.fishermarina.com/

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Bout time you showed up hoss, time for action now man!

Hey Jas, been loafing around wandering aimlessly on the lakes. Going to check out the Jetstar project of yours in a minute.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

I still can't believe that mirror finish on your rig there, wow!

Hey Jas, been loafing around wandering aimlessly on the lakes.

Ah man, I could sure go for some of that. Ya got some fish photos for us or what?

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

Tonight I mounted the searchlight! Man I love this light...and I should because it cost more than the boat. The light is from a 1936 Chris Craft Gentleman's Racer. It has a remote switch handle and works like the day it was made. Looks and works like new!

 

[Bighoss]

Re: Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild

I still can't believe that mirror finish on your rig there, wow!



Ah man, I could sure go for some of that. Ya got some fish photos for us or what?

Thanks Jas, I'm looking for the patch cord to the camera we took. I'll post some pics of the fish. Unbelievable luck we had, every day we went out we did better than the last.