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While this isn't "micro" I figured some of you would like to see this project since you are boat addicts. Plus, this is a shallow drafting 18' boat - I actually fish this thing pretty skinny.
I mentioned in my Beavertail thread that one of the reasons I chose the "new to me" B2 was that is gave me some left over cash in my budget to redo my 18' v-hull, center console. Well here she is.
I got this back in 2007 from the first owner. He was a salty old guy that loved to fish, but just couldn't anymore due to his age. He had priced this boat way too low at the time ($4,500), and I was the first to call him. He said he got about 20 calls that day and realized his price was too low, but he'd honor it because he liked me and my brother (we talked about our grandfather taking us fishing and how much he was to blame for our obsession). After we closed the deal, he asked us to treat her right and have a great time using her. That thought has always stuck with me.
The first weekend with the boat we caught fish non-stop. Couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces. The boat pretty much paid for itself that weekend. I lost my grandfather that same year and think about the man that sold me the boat often. It holds some sentimental value to me and my brothers, not just from that, but also from all the great times we've had on it.
Which leads me to the restore. This is a great hull that takes the chop, has enough room, and has a shallow draft. It can handle the water my B2 can't. Plus, I do a lot of lake fishing here too, which this is a perfect boat for. I had a list of things I've always thought about doing if I got the chance. So I made a good shopping list and scouted a few experts in the area and got quotes. I had a budget in mind with electronics and tried to keep to it (more on that later).
The must haves were: carpet removal, interior gel coat, new upholstery, fly rod holders, plug all holes in console and gel coat, leaning post, new trolling motor, new GPS/sounder combo, hull sand and buff, new gauges.
But before we get into all that, here's her state before the work started.
And here is the beginning of the project.
And here is one of my favorites so far - I call this one "Breaking Blue" since it reminds me of Breaking Bad and I am doing the boat in ice blue:
I'll post more soon - boat is off the trailer and getting the exterior done this week.
I mentioned in my Beavertail thread that one of the reasons I chose the "new to me" B2 was that is gave me some left over cash in my budget to redo my 18' v-hull, center console. Well here she is.
I got this back in 2007 from the first owner. He was a salty old guy that loved to fish, but just couldn't anymore due to his age. He had priced this boat way too low at the time ($4,500), and I was the first to call him. He said he got about 20 calls that day and realized his price was too low, but he'd honor it because he liked me and my brother (we talked about our grandfather taking us fishing and how much he was to blame for our obsession). After we closed the deal, he asked us to treat her right and have a great time using her. That thought has always stuck with me.
The first weekend with the boat we caught fish non-stop. Couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces. The boat pretty much paid for itself that weekend. I lost my grandfather that same year and think about the man that sold me the boat often. It holds some sentimental value to me and my brothers, not just from that, but also from all the great times we've had on it.
Which leads me to the restore. This is a great hull that takes the chop, has enough room, and has a shallow draft. It can handle the water my B2 can't. Plus, I do a lot of lake fishing here too, which this is a perfect boat for. I had a list of things I've always thought about doing if I got the chance. So I made a good shopping list and scouted a few experts in the area and got quotes. I had a budget in mind with electronics and tried to keep to it (more on that later).
The must haves were: carpet removal, interior gel coat, new upholstery, fly rod holders, plug all holes in console and gel coat, leaning post, new trolling motor, new GPS/sounder combo, hull sand and buff, new gauges.
But before we get into all that, here's her state before the work started.
And here is the beginning of the project.



And here is one of my favorites so far - I call this one "Breaking Blue" since it reminds me of Breaking Bad and I am doing the boat in ice blue:

I'll post more soon - boat is off the trailer and getting the exterior done this week.