2. Boat Maintenance

Camera Boat

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  • 3-26-2005<br /> <br /> I thought about a new boat but to be honest I love the ride of this little 15-foot deep V hull. She is the ideal little boat for running around the Great South Bay and shooting video from. When the sea breeze kicks in she is dry and her narrow beam cuts through the chop like a knife. What makes Captain Al’s and I unique is that we produce our videos with just the two of us. This little boat is very agile and I can actually run the boat and shoot at the same time.

    3-26-2005

    I thought about a new boat but to be honest I love the ride of this little 15-foot deep V hull. She is the ideal little boat for running around the Great South Bay and shooting video from. When the sea breeze kicks in she is dry and her narrow beam cuts through the chop like a knife. What makes Captain Al’s and I unique is that we produce our videos with just the two of us. This little boat is very agile and I can actually run the boat and shoot at the same time.

  • 3-26-2005<br /> <br /> Well I finally had a nice day to get some work done on the camera boat. For over 15 years I have used this boat as the chase boat in our video productions. The boat is a 1981 Answer and was built down in Hialeah Fl. I am not sure if the company is still in business, I did a google search and I didn’t find much info about the company.

    3-26-2005

    Well I finally had a nice day to get some work done on the camera boat. For over 15 years I have used this boat as the chase boat in our video productions. The boat is a 1981 Answer and was built down in Hialeah Fl. I am not sure if the company is still in business, I did a google search and I didn’t find much info about the company.

  • 3-26-2005<br /> <br /> Today I started stripping the boat down and getting it ready for the complete overhaul. The old 60 hp was taken off as well as the center console. I will be re-rigging this boat from scratch. The next step will be to bring the boat down to Burrnett’s Marine in Bay Shore where Gene and his experienced crew will help me select the right engine for the boat.

    3-26-2005

    Today I started stripping the boat down and getting it ready for the complete overhaul. The old 60 hp was taken off as well as the center console. I will be re-rigging this boat from scratch. The next step will be to bring the boat down to Burrnett’s Marine in Bay Shore where Gene and his experienced crew will help me select the right engine for the boat.

  • 3-27-2005<br /> <br /> Today I stripped off all of the hardware and gauges from the center console. <br /> <br /> Happy Easter!

    3-27-2005

    Today I stripped off all of the hardware and gauges from the center console.

    Happy Easter!

  • 3-29-2005<br /> <br /> Today I brought the camera boat down to Burnett Marine service in Bay Shore. I had Gene and Dave check out the boat and help me decide on the power options for the re-powering of the camera boat. They were a great help and we decided to go with a new 60 hp four stroke.

    3-29-2005

    Today I brought the camera boat down to Burnett Marine service in Bay Shore. I had Gene and Dave check out the boat and help me decide on the power options for the re-powering of the camera boat. They were a great help and we decided to go with a new 60 hp four stroke.

    Mercury

  • 4-18-2005<br /> I Finally got a chance to get back to work on the camera boat. I filed in all the deep scratches in the hull I received over the years with fiberglass filler.

    4-18-2005
    I Finally got a chance to get back to work on the camera boat. I filed in all the deep scratches in the hull I received over the years with fiberglass filler.

  • 4-25-2005<br /> Mike Mcgrath my neighbor was kind enough to help me with my project by cleaning and oiling my teak trim for the camera boat.

    4-25-2005
    Mike Mcgrath my neighbor was kind enough to help me with my project by cleaning and oiling my teak trim for the camera boat.

  • 5-1-2005<br /> <br /> I must admit I was intimidated at first about using Awlgrip but after talking with different people over the last couple of months I decided to tackle the project. One of the big factors was having Marine Mate of Lindenhurst around the block from me. Marine Mate has been in business for over 25 years and that's quite an accomplishment considering the competition with the large marine stores. The personal attention and real on water boating experience is the key to their success. Charlie helped me understand the Awlgrip system and the products needed for my application.

    5-1-2005

    I must admit I was intimidated at first about using Awlgrip but after talking with different people over the last couple of months I decided to tackle the project. One of the big factors was having Marine Mate of Lindenhurst around the block from me. Marine Mate has been in business for over 25 years and that's quite an accomplishment considering the competition with the large marine stores. The personal attention and real on water boating experience is the key to their success. Charlie helped me understand the Awlgrip system and the products needed for my application.

  • 5/9/2005<br /> <br /> Before applying the top coat of Awl Grip you must first prime it with the Awl Grip Primer. This is a 3 part mix, 1 part primer, 1 converter then when mixed I add 1 part reducer. This can be brushed or rolled on.

    5/9/2005

    Before applying the top coat of Awl Grip you must first prime it with the Awl Grip Primer. This is a 3 part mix, 1 part primer, 1 converter then when mixed I add 1 part reducer. This can be brushed or rolled on.

  • 5/09/2005<br /> <br /> After priming I sand the primer smooth and then apply the first coat of the top coat. I use small mouthwash cups when mixing you do not want to mix to large of a batch because you only have about 20 minutes to work with the mix. This mix is 2 parts top coat to 1 part Converter when mixed you can then add up to 33% reducer to the final volume. The reducer is the Awl Grip thinner.

    5/09/2005

    After priming I sand the primer smooth and then apply the first coat of the top coat. I use small mouthwash cups when mixing you do not want to mix to large of a batch because you only have about 20 minutes to work with the mix. This mix is 2 parts top coat to 1 part Converter when mixed you can then add up to 33% reducer to the final volume. The reducer is the Awl Grip thinner.

  • 5/9/2005<br /> <br /> I filled the deep scratches and stress cracks from over the years with a 2 part epoxy fiber glass filler. Once cured I sanded until smooth. After sanding I used a clean rag and dampen with paint thinner to remove any dust left behind from sanding.

    5/9/2005

    I filled the deep scratches and stress cracks from over the years with a 2 part epoxy fiber glass filler. Once cured I sanded until smooth. After sanding I used a clean rag and dampen with paint thinner to remove any dust left behind from sanding.

  • 9-21-2005<br /> <br /> I stripped off most of the hardware on the boat then I masked the area off with 3M 7 day masking tape. I primed the hull and gunwale with the Awl Grip primer then after drying I sanded smooth. As you can see with the photo the gloss of the Top Coat of Awl Grip goes on smooth and Glossy.

    9-21-2005

    I stripped off most of the hardware on the boat then I masked the area off with 3M 7 day masking tape. I primed the hull and gunwale with the Awl Grip primer then after drying I sanded smooth. As you can see with the photo the gloss of the Top Coat of Awl Grip goes on smooth and Glossy.

  • 4-7-2006<br /> <br /> OK, so I'm a year behind schedule and I have no real good excuse, but now that Al and I will start shooting our next DVD soon this project in a priority.<br /> <br /> To save space under the console I replaced my old battery with a Odyssey PC-1200. This little power house is at least half the size of my old battery with twice the performance. These military grade batteries are both a deep cycle and cranking. The drycell technology allows mounting in almost any position. For more information check out the link below or visit Marine Mate in Lindenhurst 631-226-6206<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.eastcoastbatteries.com">http://www.eastcoastbatteries.com</a>

    4-7-2006

    OK, so I'm a year behind schedule and I have no real good excuse, but now that Al and I will start shooting our next DVD soon this project in a priority.

    To save space under the console I replaced my old battery with a Odyssey PC-1200. This little power house is at least half the size of my old battery with twice the performance. These military grade batteries are both a deep cycle and cranking. The drycell technology allows mounting in almost any position. For more information check out the link below or visit Marine Mate in Lindenhurst 631-226-6206

    http://www.eastcoastbatteries.com

  • 4/18/2006<br /> <br /> Well I Painted the bottom of the camera boat today. This is one the final steps before bringing the boat down to Burnett's Marine in Bayshore. One of the great features of this 15 footer is that I can take the boat off the trailer by my self when I need to work on it.

    4/18/2006

    Well I Painted the bottom of the camera boat today. This is one the final steps before bringing the boat down to Burnett's Marine in Bayshore. One of the great features of this 15 footer is that I can take the boat off the trailer by my self when I need to work on it.

  • 4/18/2006<br /> <br /> With the tank and Battery securely in place I can mount the center console.

    4/18/2006

    With the tank and Battery securely in place I can mount the center console.

  • 4/17/2006<br /> <br /> With the bottom all painted and the console in place I am all ready to bring her down to Burnett's. Not to bad looking for a 25 year old boat. The only thing I need to do now is install a new rub rail. The old rub rail shrank over a foot since last September when I took it off.

    4/17/2006

    With the bottom all painted and the console in place I am all ready to bring her down to Burnett's. Not to bad looking for a 25 year old boat. The only thing I need to do now is install a new rub rail. The old rub rail shrank over a foot since last September when I took it off.

  • 6/9/2006<br /> <br /> Well the engine is finally on the boat and Gene did a great nice neat job on the rigging. Replacing the rub rail was easier than I expected and went quickly with 2 drills and 6 hands.

    6/9/2006

    Well the engine is finally on the boat and Gene did a great nice neat job on the rigging. Replacing the rub rail was easier than I expected and went quickly with 2 drills and 6 hands.

  • 6-23-2006<br /> <br /> Finally... after Fifteen months and many starts and stops the the project has been completed.

    6-23-2006

    Finally... after Fifteen months and many starts and stops the the project has been completed.

  • 6-23-2006<br /> <br /> I must admit she looks Great for a twenty five year old hull.

    6-23-2006

    I must admit she looks Great for a twenty five year old hull.

  • 6-23-2006<br /> <br /> As you can see this fifteen foot center console has a clean and simple layout and with her narrow 6 foot beam she cuts through the Great South Bay chop like a knife.

    6-23-2006

    As you can see this fifteen foot center console has a clean and simple layout and with her narrow 6 foot beam she cuts through the Great South Bay chop like a knife.

  • 6-23-2006<br /> <br /> The New Mercury 60 HP 4 stoke engine gives the boat a top speed of 30 knts. When just cruising around the bay the fuel economy is awesome. I burn about 2.3 GPH giving me just over 7 miles to the Gallon with a range of about 80 miles.

    6-23-2006

    The New Mercury 60 HP 4 stoke engine gives the boat a top speed of 30 knts. When just cruising around the bay the fuel economy is awesome. I burn about 2.3 GPH giving me just over 7 miles to the Gallon with a range of about 80 miles.

  • 6-23-2006<br /> <br /> The unique seat and cooler combination is fabricated in aluminium and the back rest will slide fore and aft. A standard 48 quart marine cooler fits perfectly in the aluminium frame and has a high density foam cushion. Smitty's Marine of Florida is the manufacture and can ship anywhere.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.smittysmarine.net">http://www.smittysmarine.net</a>

    6-23-2006

    The unique seat and cooler combination is fabricated in aluminium and the back rest will slide fore and aft. A standard 48 quart marine cooler fits perfectly in the aluminium frame and has a high density foam cushion. Smitty's Marine of Florida is the manufacture and can ship anywhere.

    http://www.smittysmarine.net

  • Another great feature of the seat and cooler combo is that the cooler removes easily to make cleaning the deck a snap. I mounted the fire extinguisher on to the seat for easy access.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.smittysmarine.net">http://www.smittysmarine.net</a>

    Another great feature of the seat and cooler combo is that the cooler removes easily to make cleaning the deck a snap. I mounted the fire extinguisher on to the seat for easy access.

    http://www.smittysmarine.net

  • Believe it or not this is the original center console. I covered all the old gauge holes (7) with Star Board and fastened to the existing console with locking bolts and lock washers. To keep the console as uncluttered as possible Gene installed a smart-craft multi-gauge and fuel gauge and that's it. The all stainless 13" wheel gives the boat a great look and the knob makes maneuvering very easy.<br /> <br /> Notice under the console is the ODYSSEY® Drycell battery PC1200. I accidentally left my electronics on for three days and the battery was down to 11.1 volts. When I turned the key the engine cranked up and started without any hesitation.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.eastcoastbatteries.com/">http://www.eastcoastbatteries.com/</a>

    Believe it or not this is the original center console. I covered all the old gauge holes (7) with Star Board and fastened to the existing console with locking bolts and lock washers. To keep the console as uncluttered as possible Gene installed a smart-craft multi-gauge and fuel gauge and that's it. The all stainless 13" wheel gives the boat a great look and the knob makes maneuvering very easy.

    Notice under the console is the ODYSSEY® Drycell battery PC1200. I accidentally left my electronics on for three days and the battery was down to 11.1 volts. When I turned the key the engine cranked up and started without any hesitation.



    http://www.eastcoastbatteries.com/

  • My goal was to keep the boat simple and yet practical. To save space under the console I vacuumed packed my safety gear (flag and flairs) and my tools and spare parts so I don't have any bulky cases to deal with.

    My goal was to keep the boat simple and yet practical. To save space under the console I vacuumed packed my safety gear (flag and flairs) and my tools and spare parts so I don't have any bulky cases to deal with.

  • I took off the old railing and installed 2 new grab rails. Unfortunally I had to cut two access holes on each side so I could properly fasten the rails with locking nuts.

    I took off the old railing and installed 2 new grab rails. Unfortunally I had to cut two access holes on each side so I could properly fasten the rails with locking nuts.

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