Epoxied Some Spots; Trailer Front Stop

Today, I epoxied some spots that were needing a little extra before paint; i.e. I sanded through some very small spots. And, I also drilled out the right mid bulkhead where the control cables and electrical wire will go and epoxied that as well. I also epoxied the big hole where the steering system goes.
The trailer front stop was welded on where it will hole the rubber Y-Stop to keep the boat from moving forward on the trailer when towing. Again, the welds were not great but will do the job! I also sanded them down for prime a paint, which will be put on tomorrow.
A spare tire holder was also installed a couple of days ago.
5.5 hours

Steering System and Engine Controls

Today, I installed the steering unit and set the engine control box into position.
1 hour

Steering System Arrived! For Free!!

 

Well I was in Wichita Marine the other day to purchase a couple of rollers that I previously attached to the trailer, and I asked if they were interested in sponsoring my boat. After they looked at my photos of my build and what it would look like, they graciously told me they would give me my Teleflex Steering System for free!!!!! I, in exchange, will display their logo on my boat for the summer. What a great bunch of people at Wichita Marine! Thank you very much!
Now I can't wait to get it on the boat, but I am SO busy with other airplane projects that it may have to wait for a day or two.

Trailer Rollers Both Installed

Today, I installed both trailer rollers for good after installing the rear one and then taking everything apart for painting. It does make a big difference on how the boat goes on and off the trailer! As you can see, the brackets I had to make for the middle beam were quite complex to make sure they set exactly right.
2.5 hours

Trailer Roller Work

Yesterday, I attached the front roller to the trailer and began to work on the one that will attach to the middle rail. I will have to remove them afterwards to paint and then reinstall.
2 hours

Hull Sides and Stern Sanded

Yesterday, I sanded the hull sides and transom starting with 80 grit, then 120 grit, and then 220 grit with my orbital sander. I hand sanded the gunwhales and rub rails and the fillets on them. Hand and back breaking work!!!This took a total of 12 hours.
Now I need to sand the interior areas and then paint one of these days!
12 hours

Boat Put on Trailer

Yesterday, I finally put the boat on the trailer. I found that it doesn't sit as well as it should according to the plans, so I am looking for a trailer keel roller that is flat that will raise up the bow and help the rest of the boat hull sit tightly against the bunks. I am also trying to determine the best position for the boat on the trailer to make sure it will pull correctly. I wanted to keep the beavertail part past the end of the trailer which would allow the motor to be completely down without hitting the trailer, so I am still looking at that option as well.
That is my girlfriend Jamie, who helped me put the boat on the trailer. I used a engine hoist and a large dolly I had made for a past project.
1.5 hours

Trailer Bunks Carpeted

Today, I finished carpeting the trailer bunks. Pics to come.

By the Way!

The reason I haven't been working on this boat as much as I would like is because of this!! It is almost finished, and all Pat and I have to do is put the rest of the interior in and a few small details and it will be flying soon! This will be one SWEET flying airplane!
The panel has a double Chelton EFIS with a complete steam gauge stack, autopilot, Garmin 340, 430, and 327 and an extra SL-40 radio. The autopilot can be switched to be used on the Chelton or the Garmin 430. There is no vacuum on the airplane, as it is a completely electric panel. Less weight and less money!

Trailer Jack and Trailer Lights Installed

Yesterday, after working on Pat's RV-9A and getting it very close to flying, I finally got back to work on the wiring and lights on the trailer. I also used conduit wherever I could to help with future abrasion issues. They were checked on my Dodge Quad Cab and work good! I was going to give it a test tow without the boat on it, but haven't yet.
I also installed the trailer jack the other day. It is a Tool Shop brand? from Menards that was on sale for $24.99 and is the 1500 pound version with a two year warranty! I couldn't find a better deal than that anywhere.
3 hours
Does anybody reading this know how to fix the new way the photos are put in the blog? I can not seem to get them to line up correctly now, as they will not let me put them side by side.

Trailer Finished Except for the Lights

Yesterday, I assembled the rest of the parts onto the tongue area after they semi-dryed from the painting yesterday. I also installed a 1/2" bolt through the two plates, the 2" x 2" tongue and two shims. I then drilled a 3/8" hole through the top front coupler hole and used one of the original bolts for the original coupler and used that to attach the safety chain.

I also installed the wood bunks with 5/16" galvanized carraige bolts.

4.5 hours

Painted Trailer Parts

Today, I spent the morning painting all of the parts of the trailer that were primed or still had red showing from the first painting. I also installed the coupler with new 1/2" x 3 1/2" grade 5 bolts, lock washers and nuts. I will install all of the painted parts tomorrow and then it will be ready for the wood bunks to be installed.
2.5 hours

Boat Trailer Welded Up

Yesterday and Today, I welded up all of the trailer parts and made the Harbor Freight trailer into the boat trailer. I also welded up all of the connections on the Harbor Freight trailer, so if I need to, I can take out all of the bolts that now hold it together. I then cleaned and painted all of the welded areas, as well as the other side where the paint was burned off, the normal Smoke Gray.

All I need to do now is paint the trailer tongue and associated parts the Smoke Gray and attach the new coupler with the 1/2" x 3" bolts, then attach the wood for the bunks. I will also make one more modification to the front plate area by drilling a 1/2" hole and put one bolt through there. I don't know if I will weld it after that or not. It will not really be needed. I also need to put a tapered shim under the winch as the bar was welded on a little crooked.

I will not show any of the welds I accomplished as they were not great. Strong enough but not pretty. I used my Miller Econotig welder which is a tig welder and a stick welder. I used 6010 and 6013 electrodes, and I found I liked the 6013 better as they were easier to weld with and make a somewhat better looking weld. I was going to try tig welding alot of them, but my hose for my argon bottle broke when my bottle fell over. Need a new one now.

10 hours

New Trailer Tongue and Some Angle Iron

Today I spent the time going to get new 2" x 2" x 1/8" thick square tubing and some 1 1/2" angle 3/16" thick. I then trial fit all of the new pieces into place (no pictures of that) and cleaned them with acetone, then primered with the Rust-Oleum White Primer. I also primed the two flat plates that will be at the front of the A-frame. These pieces will be primed again tomorrow if needed, or will be painted the usual Smoke Gray.

6 hours (including travel time)