Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

Spent most of the day yesterday cleaning all the residual adhesive off the drives left from the powder coater. Also got two pieces of trim up in the cabin as well.

Should have the drives on this week. Still waiting for a few fittings to replumb the engines. Summit racing and Aeroquip have me backed up againest the wall. I can run the boat without a finished cabin but not without power!

Today I have to cut two backets for the gauges so those can be finished. I had my eye on a new white compass/white dial and went to pick it up yesterday and it was gone. Instead of a Ritchie I may go for the big bucks for the digital Azimuth. Picked up the GPS hardware for the 182C.

Cash is flying out the door!

Getting There
 

I got allot done this weekend despite working on my deck for a half day on Saturday and hosting mom's day on sunday. I have some carb parts and header bolts on order at Summit too.

My bobcat guy never came this weekend. I am preparring the ground for my boat garage. The footing and foundation for this year and next year 5-6" pad. The garage will be about 30x60 and will be brick and stone to match the house. Heating in the slab. 2 ton crane with I beam system inside.

Mark

That's what I need
 

That garage would come in handy. I have a small lot on the water (120 x 78) no room for a nice garage. I have been looking around for a building for sale that would be turnkey. I do not feel like going through the headaches of building anymore at this point. Right now for what I am paying in heated storage i can make a good case for buying a building. There is an old abondoned car dealership down the road from the plant I have been eyeballing.

I'll get some pics this week of the cat. Did not work on it yesterday. We went to the islands drinking instead. Go figure.

The Cig is supposed to be leaving TNT in Miaimi today North bound with a set of Rolla props for the Cat as well. Just put in a new sea wall at the house and they are going to try to get it finished today. They have to get the pump working so I can get it up on the lift!

2 year project
 

I don't know if you are a golfer, but I live near Medinah Country Club(US Open). I have a 2 acre lot on a hill. I have to build up the land to have a level area. After the footing and foundation is poured, the clay will get compacted and then stoned for this year. I don't want a cracked floor so I have to wait until next year. So much to do to the house that the garage will have to wait anyway.

My mufflers are almost done and my trim cyclinders are in. Now I have to get trim pumps and switches and indicators and others. No return call from the vinyl yet. I guess that means it is not done.

Mark

Bad News
 

The fittings from Summit are delayed until after the 21st.

Every day it looks like I will be hauling the Cigarette to SOTW unless a miracle happens.

Very disappointed today.:( :(

pic
 

trying to figure this picture thing.?

Prop holder
 

prop

pic
 

pic-dually baby

trailer
 

trailer front - I currently have a tag trailer. I talked to boatme about a fifthwheel instead. He gave a great price to convert.

5th wheel
 

Mine is a fifth wheel. Trying to convert so it can be ramped. Boatme sent some pics for the guides so it slides onto the rails. The problem is that the framework for the gooseneck is between the sponsons. I am going to have to carpet and foam the heck out of the framework to keep the paint from getting rashes. i also do not have steps like yours.

Love your truck! The prop box is pretty cool. Like where they are mounted. Locked I hope!

What you call golf is not the same game I play. I even have my own golf cart but use it to take the trash to the community dumpster.

I always know my score before I even step on the couse. I write a snowman in for every hole and rarely do I have to change that.

Your exhaust are through your hatches. Mine are lower through the transom.

PICs finally
 

I designed the trailer with all of the information from Bill Tweety and Marc. The toolboxes do lock and I got the holders from Too Old. Twin Disc promised me reject prop shafts to mount in my toolbox and you know how that works out, no such luck. I am designing compartments in the front of the box for all of my supplies( hoses, jack, big tools, hitch and weight distribution set). A friend of mine owns Chicago Case and I think he will have something that will work.

I have a golfcart that we use at our place at the lake. We use it for bumper golfcarts. I believe it is called golf cart abuse. I am going to buy another one that needs to be rehabbed. It runs but looks like shiznit. Another project!

I will get pics of other projects; boat and non-boat.

All of my friends!
 

I only have one reason to buy a big cruiser....




























To invite all of my friends.
Mark

pics
 

pics

pics
 

pics

Great pics
 

I promise have some misc ones I will have to dig out.

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

You have to go to LOTO for the Shooter's Shootout. I was not able to post pics.
Mark

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

This new system really sucks for pics. I have been trying all weekend.
Mark

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

I don't understnad how to post pics either. Have some of the Cig which came home late Friday night and was splashed Saturday morning.

I even had trouble logging in! :blaster: !

ALSO RECEIVED THE NEW FIVE BLADES FOR THE CAT. :D

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

I am sure Steve will figure it out. It is too much work to look at the nudies and that sucks.

I had the bobcat guy level the dirt and now I can park the boat on the dirt for now. The cement guy is on the way for the footing and foundation and then stone.

I had Jeff who was the mechanic for Apache and 10x over looking the boat over. This guy knows his stuff. I am going to let him put my hatches in and he suggested many changes. Some I will do now and others when the boat get painted next winter.
More parts on the way this week. My engines will be mostly chrome with ss braided lines.
Mark

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

My next hang up is the braided hose. Have everything but the -20 and the nickel plated nipples.

I have a plan for the hatches, as it comes along I can take photos. Will get some pics of the dash today. Looking good.

The shop promised to focus on getting it back together. I haven't been bi**ching enough. Not my nature.

Had to really downsize to get this pic loaded. Now it looks all distorted. Just splashed the Cig Saturday. That is the back of my house in Port Clinton, Ohio.

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

I thought you may find this interesting. Transom shot of the Cig.

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

Pic's of the dash and the cowling is now installed. Small steps but progress.

The name is on the floor of the cockpit between the bolster and back bench.

The pic of the boat has the hatches laying on the floor.

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

Dennis,
Looking at the dash all I can think of is "Beam me up Scotty"
I really looks like it's coming together well and the Dash with the center seating position. Waaaaaaaay Coooooool Duuuuuuuude.
Best,
Rob..

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

Big D,
Was the Cig a Chicago boat? Did you add to the bottom of your dash. I am changing my dash next year. My dash switches are moving down and I am adding guages to the midsection with angled bezzles. I am moving the tachs above the dash and putting your extra gps in the middle of the dash and no speedo. I am copying your chrome and white, but I will credit you everytime.

Rob,
Did you get a new boat? With the name Rice Hauler, I am assuming some Asian ethnicity. I am a halfer. Hope to meet you someday.

Mark

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

Mark,
The pleasure will be all mine.
Yes, Korean ancestry but American through and through.
Dennis has been a great friend to me over the years and that friendship has made my boating on Lake Erie better than I could have ever hoped for.
Still Boatless for now. But hopefully soon we'll be back on the water.
I'll be at SOTW so if you're there too we'll definitely meet and greet.
Best,
Robert Shin
a.k.a. Rice Hauler

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

Robert,
My mother was from Japan.

I am trying to get Dennis to go to LOTO for the Shootout. There will allot of hardware there. I still can't post pics. I have a ton of last years shoot. Boats doing over 200mph.

Mark Smith

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

The gauges are actually the "Platinum finish". A lot softer than the chrome and it reduces the contrast. Everybody who has stopped by to see it so far loves the combo. The steering wheel matches.

The Cig came from TNT in Miami. Was actually in LOTO for a short stint then back to Miami. 97 Kevlar, 600 hawks. Had it repainted in Mami.

Rob and I go back 14-15 years. Wow! Never thought about like that before.
Rob's twin step was a beautiful piece of equipment with 600 Zul's. It ran over 90. If you look at Lip-ship's web site under "news", page down through the pics you will see Rob's cig. We ran it to Key Largo a couple years ago. There are two old guys in the back. I am the one waving and Rob is the young guy running the hardware.

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

Dennis,
You're doing yourself an injustice,

"There are two old guys in the back. I am the one waving and Rob is the young guy running the hardware."

What you meant was "younger guy running the hardware" That was a terriffic trip for Angela and I and having you and Lee along was just icing on the cake.
Actually I'm really looking forward to seeing Erica at SOTW regardless of which boat you bring.
Best,
Rob..

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

Well, at least you didn't say the old, grey, fat and thinning hair guys in the back of the bus. :D :D :cool:

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

Almost finished with the carbs and then to the fuel delivery system. Almost want to re-do the dash thanks to you know who. It will have to wait to next year.

Rob
There are a bunch of OEs in your area. It would be nice to another 39 in action.

Mark

Re: Trying to get it together for SOTW
 

Tiz-Bad is in Toledo, one is about 12 miles down the road from my plant which has been a basket case forever and another east of Sandusky. My insurance man knows where they are all at primarily becasue he used to have one.

I have met the guy who has the basket case. I doubt if it will ever see water again as long as he has it. He has a set of 725's which will barely push one of these.