Very Nice! I wonder if they will have the pattern now or would still need the boat on site to build one? I have been trying to get a Bimini built for 2 yrs now.

I spoke to them about this and they said they would not pattern it unless they had an order for ten of them. They are a full-time builder for Boston Whaler and are set up for production runs. They were able to fit this in on the fab side of the business due to reduced new boat orders. They told me 2 weeks would be needed with the boat at their site and it looks like they will be close to meeting that promised date.

Consider that it's winter where you are. Book a two-week cruise out of Port Canaveral (or some other Florida vacation) with your first mate and tow your boat down. When you get back the boat will be pretty close to ready. Their lot is big and I bet you could get them to let you leave your truck there and walk, shuttle or uber to the cruise terminal. You can see the ships from their parking lot. PM your number if you want more details.

I'll post more photos when finished.

Edit: I just laughed at myself thinking how i'd not be able to schedule 3 weeks away from work to make this happen. I'd need to tow the boat down, park the truck, fly back home, work two weeks, fly back to FL then tow the boat home.

Picked up my 343 from Sunshine Welding yesterday and the work they did on my top is excellent. I gave them photos of the factory speed top and asked them to replicate it.

We did make a couple of changes to add rigidity and keep the canvas banjo string tight so it does not flap at speed. Anodized Brush-Polished aluminum was chosen for weight, durability, and looks. We chose light Gray canvas because here in Florida sitting under dark canvas you can feel the heat radiating off of it on sunny summer days. The light color reduces the roasting effect.

The workmanship is very good (they are the prototype and production shop for Boston Whaler) and the project management experience was first-class. When I dropped the boat off on a Monday morning Matt said it would be ready in 2 weeks and it was ready to pick up the middle of the business day before the promised date.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2fc26df79b.jpg
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Looks Great!

Burned the last of the fuel and loaded her up today. nice 80degree day here before the bottom falls out this weekend. Ran 4-5 k for about an hour. all gages stayed nice and constant.
Top ends, transom assemblies and a few other goodies this winter.
Yea Ya I know- the Cig stickers are still on da 6Fiddy :lolhit:
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Very nice setup. What did it weigh?

Also, what props are you running to get 5K?

Over 28K weight total rig weight.

I think 28 bravo 4 blades also. I will verify.

Are any of you 496HO guys running 24 pitch Bravo 1 props? Considering the way we use the boat I would not mind a better hole shot.

Sitch Kind, a lot of the 496 boat got built with B3s, not B1 ones like the 525 boats. mine has 525s with 28P 4 blade B1.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f57acdd9a.jpeg

I'm doing the pre-season maintenance stuff on my boat and found in-line fuel filters mounted to the stringers (in addition to the Quicksilver spin-on's) and don't know if this is a Cobalt thing or something the previous owner had done.

Does anyone else have in-line fuel filters? They are not the barb fitting type. They are threaded at both ends with what might be brass flare fittings.

I want to replace them with new but can't find numbers on them to give me a hint.

Thanks in advance.