Author Topic: Cutting holes in the deck (Read 1012 times)

Kamikaze · « **on:** August 01, 2009, 06:38:47 PM »

Well, I finally got sick and tired of to much weight in the stern forcing the scupper to back flood when more than one person is fishing off the stern. So first I dropped a good hundred pounds by re-powering foam the old 250 V8 to a 1999 3.0L 225 EFI Merc. I'm hoping to get a little more MPG as well with a decrease in displacement of a 1 liter.

The Before shot

After

Then it was time to address two other issue. First, the decking was getting soft around the in deck storage up front and second the boat only holds 110 gallons of fuel. For those how don't live in FL. Where I live I'll need more than 110 gallons to make the 60-70 mile trip out to the canyons. So lets get started.

The before shot.

And the after shot. During the construction phase I decided to make it into a insulated fish box since I won't be putting the old above box box back in.

A below deck shot of the bracing it put in to support the edges. I still need to insulated with 1 inch foam and fiberglass and gel coat.

Quick shot of the tank still in process

Kamikaze

MarshMarlowe196 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 01, 2009, 09:35:59 PM »

Nice looking install so far

That 3.0's color scheme matches the boat better than the Johnson.

Kamikaze · « **Reply #2 on:** August 09, 2009, 06:00:12 PM »

Thought I post a pic to show what it will look like when its done. I got the fuel tank frame and cover formed this week and shot both with gel-coat yesterday. Today, I mounted the frame and painted both the fish box hatches and the fuel tank cover. Lots still to do, but just wanted to see how it was going to look when I'm done.

Kamikaze

RickK · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2009, 05:32:42 AM »

How big of a tank is that?

Kamikaze · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2009, 06:55:28 AM »

Tank is 61 Gallons. Believe AS offered a 80 option from the factory on these models. With all the space under the deck its easy to see why

Kamikaze

GoneFission · « **Reply #5 on:** August 10, 2009, 03:45:41 PM »

Lookin' good!

Don't forget to seal/epoxy the deck edges to prevent delamination and rot!

See ya on the water!

love2fish · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2009, 05:42:58 PM »

can you post a pic of how you secured the tank. thanks

Kamikaze · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2009, 08:13:37 PM »

Gonefishin:
Already took care of the deck edging, but thanks for the reminder - its amazing what you miss when your knee deep in it!

Love2Fish:
I'll post pics of the tank mounting when it get to when I mount it. Just got ahead of myself this weekend and temporarily placed the covers to see how it looks. Lots still to do...

Kamikaze

love2fish · « **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2009, 08:34:36 PM »

sounds good! thanks!