Engine Test Run Video

This is the test run first start of this engine since I got it over a year ago!

Launching Boat July 4th 2012!! Battery Cables; Motor Test Run; Test Towed

Today, I made the battery cables and installed them along with a new 24 Series battery.
I also test run the engine for the first time, and it started right up on the first time! All I had to do was adjust the idle rpm very slightly and it ran fine and shifted fine. The real test will be in the lake tomorrow!!
This boat will launch tomorrow on July 4th, 2012!!!!
I hooked the boat and trailer up to my truck and towed it to Cheney Lake and back with no problems. The hubs seemed to get a little too warm, but the trailer towed great. You can hardly tell you are pulling anything. Got some photos by the water too!
LAUNCHING TOMORROW JULY 4TH 2012!!!!!!!!!!
5 hours

Motor and Controls Installed; Seats Installed; Etc.

Today, I got all of the controls and steering installed for the outboard motor. I only have the battery, battery cables and fuel to finish everything so I can start it up!!
I also installed the black window frames with 6/32" stainless steel screws and nylok nuts.
I will tell more through pictures today....
8 hours

Test Fit The Outboard; Window Frames Second Coat

Yesterday, I put on a second coat of black on the window frames and hung them up to dry before attaching them to the cabin.
I also test fit the 25 HP Johnson outboard motor to the transom. It did not set flush to the top of the transom due to back of the boat motor mount having a curvature to it. So, I had to remove it and sand a small area on each side to account for that, as well as put some more epoxy on them to seal them. I also drilled a hole in the lower part of the mount to put a 1/4" bolt through the transom to give it more support. The holes that are already in the motor mount are too far outboard. I still may put a lag screw there, but I doubt it.
5 hours

Window Frames Painted Black; Outboard Johnson

Today was spent drilling the window frames to the cabin sides, then I painted them black for the first coat.
I also got the 25 HP Johnson outboard up on a sawhorse and cleaned the entire motor and put a new water impeller inside of it. The entire cowling had dried tape on it for some reason when I bought it and it also had a red overspray on it. Both of those things had to be carefully removed with a razor blade and 409. Without the 409, it wouldn't come off! It now looks pretty good compared to what it looked like before.
I also hooked up the controls to the motor and hooked up the battery from my truck to the motor with jumper cables and double checked that it will run the starter. It worked fine. I didn't have gas to run the motor yet.
7.5 hours

Numbers and Letters Applied; Window Frames Sanded

Today, I applied all of the Kansas registration numbers and the Coast Guard letters.
I also sanded down all of the window frame ready now for paint.
6 hours

Masking and Tape Pulled!!

And here it is without all that masking plastic and tape!
.5 hour

Orange Coast Guard Stripe

Today, I taped off and painted the orange Coast Guard stripe with Rustoleum spray can paint, which was also used for the blue stripe.
1.5 hours

Blue Coast Guard Stripe

Today, I taped off and added the blue Coast Guard stripe.
1 hour

Window Frames Epoxied Both Sides

Like the title says.... Window frames have now been epoxied on both sides and I am just waiting for them to cure before I sand and paint them black.

Window Frames; Coast Guard Stripes; Steering System

The last few days, I have finally got to the window frames and Coast Guard stripes.
I used poster board paper to mark the inside edge of each window, then marked out 1" from that line which gave me the outline of the window frames. I tranfered it onto the plywood and cut them out and have now put two coats of epoxy on one side of them. The other coats will go on today.
I have also taped off and painted the white stripe of the Coast Guard stripes that will be on the hull sides.
I also installed the left seat and the steering helm with steering wheel, as well as the rear seat hinges.
7 hours.