The spring updates had began

[Ruger761]

Tower installed!!!! Not the best pics with my phone but I'll get better ones, with the nav light and speakers wired instead of just hanging up there. Had just a few little issues during first day of install. Big Air took care of us and had the replacement parts the next day at my house. Just a small mistake during MFG on their, but was easy to resolve and I didnt have to mess with sending any parts back. I ended up putting a larger plate on the back. Hull was just right on the edge of the 3/8" thickness. The powercoated White turned out to be the ticket on this boat. And for the price of the Kickers just doing some initial tuning with them, WOW. Tower seems like its going to be very strong just pulling on it, water tests will come soon if it would warm up. Main key is taking time during drilling of hull and drilling of the SS tubing, to which Big Air provides bits.

Put a 2nd tower on a 96 Malibu yesterday. The second time you do something always goes faster and smoother. Had to put larger plates on the rear legs if it. Its hull was thinnner than mine was. Front legs were thick enough though. Forgot to snap any pics of it, I'll get some though.

Now time to get the Bimini figured out and order some racks. Then its Hula Care time!

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[Wakeman22]

That's looking very nice. I may have to road trip down your vway some time.

[NICKYPOO]

Right on Ruger. White was definitely the right call.

[Ruger761]

That's looking very nice. I may have to road trip down your vway some time.

Were typically always out on Ft. Gibson on most Saturdays once the weather and water warm up. Normally good boardind water by the dam or on 14 mile creek.



While I had the side panels off to get to the tower bolts I got a crazy idea for a hidden ballast sytem for possibly next spring. Theres enough room under the gunnels and length if you give up about 3-4" of width in the boat and a little creative with some rectangular sacs, I can put 2 250-300# sacs on each side of motor hidden under new side panels, then add a 3-400# one in the locker. Now granted thats not a huge ballast system but should be enough to throw a pretty nice wake still for this hull. Going to experiment with that kinda set up this summer before I take on that project to see if its enough to throw the wake I want it to.

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[NICKYPOO]

I've thought a lot about utilizing that space for ballast. It's a difficult set up to execute to say the least. I ended up throwing the towel at it. I'd love see what you come up with.

[Ruger761]

Im going to test the wake first but its a spring project to look forward to I think along with PP.

[NICKYPOO]

Ya, in order for it to work right, that space needs some custom sacs. Actually tanks would be the best application.

[Ruger761]

Ive found some fuel tanks that would work perfect. 8" at the top and like 5.25" at the bottom 17.75" tall and 39 long
http://www.moellermarine.com/sites/m...-1_%282%29.pdf
They would fit under the current cut out and against the slope of the hull. Only prob with them is they are only 18 gal each so ~150# per side and I dont know if that little will be worth the effort and $. But I think it would be very easy to add in with minimal vinyl work. They have a larger one but its too long to fit. So 300# on each side of motor, 200# weight under back seat (plate weight) and #300+ sac in the locker, it might be enough to make it worth it. One sure way of finding out with the sacs I have right now.

[Stingreye]

Ya, in order for it to work right, that space needs some custom sacs. Actually tanks would be the best application.

I recently pulled the hard tanks out of my 2004 24V (Mike/Chpthrll was 100% right, when I saw these factory tanks I would want them out for more storage and use bags). I have two rear tanks and two midship tanks. They have factory carpet on them because they sat on the floor in rear and mid ship compartments.

Doubt they are the right size and shape but here are dimensions

From Lee's post:
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...mensions/page2

Front tank= 20"x16.5"x11"
Rear tank= 49"x20.5"x9"

They are free for local pickup, no idea what it would cost to ship but if you think they might be useful you can pay shipping. Right now the tanks went from taking up valuable boat space to valuable garage space and my wife would LOVE to see them disappear sooner than later.

[Ruger761]

As much as I like the price on those I think to make it work correctly Im either going to have to modify some tanks or have some custom ones built. Just not a lot of room in an older D-Drive.

[Stingreye]

As much as I like the price on those I think to make it work correctly Im either going to have to modify some tanks or have some custom ones built. Just not a lot of room in an older D-Drive.

No worries! You were just likely saving them from getting thrown out. Good luck with the mods. It looks great!

[Ruger761]

Started working with my old Bimini to see if I can make it work and save $1k on a new one. Tower and speakers are too short to go under so going over the tower. I think its going to work out well once I get tower clamps in to fully pull it tight, and take my rags off, didnt want to scratch tower too badly. Then I have to cut a hole for the tow point. Wish the top was white vs the natural color, but right now its going to work out very well. Once the fabric wears a morein a few years I'll take it off the frame and have a shop copy the pattern.

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Rain killed other plans Saturday, so got after it with a buffer and Hulla Care. Hard to take pics inside but anytime I can see the reflection this well I'm pretty happy. Once I pull it out in the sun then the results will really show.

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Went ahead and hit the trailer while I was there.

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[Ruger761]

Bimini Top complete. For only having to buy a few tower clamps it turned out pretty well. Plus that top is huge so I got to keep all of my shade. The rear bar clears the tow point so I can still Boot the top going down the hwy. Now to get a few racks ordered

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[Ruger761]

Well finally ordered a Hyperlite Broadcast. Found a 2012 model on clearance and picked it up for $188. Going to be a lot easier for me to get better on it vs the small Coex I borrowed last year. Plus my 240# brothers will actually get to try it this year as well. Just need it to warm up some more. Weather keeps bouncing from high 70s to 30s. Water is 50, which I know for some of you is warm but its too cold for me.