The ride has bettered my expectations. I have had small tin boats before & anyone that tells you they are "soft" is a liar ! As I said, I was out in about 35 knots with three up & it was quite comfortable. The next day, the wind had died down and we shot across to Rangitoto from Milford (two up this time) There was a small chop coming home and my passenger was sitting in front of the console. He felt that he had been attacked by Freddie Mercury, so he came down as sat on the fish box behind me. Solved all the problems, but two little fat
f#@kers sitting motorbike style, was probably not a good look ! We came back at 30 knots and the ride was VERY COMFORTABLE. The extra thick upholstery was really worth the money. Icey tek make a stock cover, but it uses foam about 5cm thick. Mine has about 12cm and the difference is well worth it.
Re the cables. I replaced the original 12 foot steering cable, with a 14 footer and encased them all in coil conduit purchased from an electrical wholesaler.
I had an engineer form an aluminium bracket (just like a downpipe braket) and we screwed this to the side of the console. This forced the conduit to the floor of the boat and then it raises up the sides to dissapear into an existing aluminium "tunnel" to the aft of the boat. It has neatened the whole thing up. Not ideal, but can easilly be fixed if someone were to buy a new rig. the secret is to buy a longer steering cable. I would suggest a 16 footer next time.
I can now walk right around the boat without having to hurdle the cables !
Figuring out an easilly worked bait board is my next project. I think I will have two ~ one up front & one aft because there is two distinct fishing areas on the boat. Two will save a lot of mucking around.
I am sorry, I have not posted more photo's ~ the weather has been
rat ~excrement or I have left my camera at work. I have had a great cover made for it (thanks North Shore Canvas) so it takes a couple of minutes to undress for photo's. Had the graphics done last week. The wife lost ~ it has been christened "
FUGLY". I had a graphic made of a Witch riding a fishing rod ! I just have to try to explain to the neighbor's children, what FUGLY means !!!!!
It is not the prettiest boat on the water , but any Scotsman would be proud of her.