Thinking this one might fit in my suitcase... .




Unless someone rolling west thru Ohio this week needs a copilot, I'm probably setting this year out. Sold my F350 a few months back, and my daily driver Jeep doesn't even have a hitch.. Would certainly be down to hang out an chat, so if I find a ride, will look ya up.

Have room to stuff another 52' indoors? It still rolls today..

We'd need to shorten it by 2ft

congratulations on your early release!!🍻

Thanks bud good to hear from you...........hope the old crew are all well

I wasn't going to post since we have already talked on the phone but just really want to reach out again and send my condolences.

I have lost a few loved ones including a close friend, but my Dad who I was extremely close to is the hardest. Shoot It's hard to even read this thread without getting very emotional.

Hopefully time will help you. You are a great friend to David. I wish I had someone like you helping me on my toys! I know you brought him so much joy and excitement doesn't matter what update you were giving him, it was genuine gearhead talk that we all love!

Thanks for sharing this thread with us, it's been one of the few things keeping OSO going!

Looking forward to watching you dial in the project. As much as it would be nice for it to be over.....I don't think these kind of builds are ever "done".

Thanks for the kind words and motivation. As I sit here, looking out the window, at a pair 6's hanging all lonely dry, literally a foot from my pond. It's been a year and week since they were wet. Summer is ending, fall fast approaching.

But hey, there's always Florida...

Voodoo migrated back into the shop last week from her winter cover. Paid a young buck to spend 4 hours scrubbing the bilge. He handed me out a box of bolts, nuts, washer, and tools. Some of which I haven't seen in a few years. But she's now clean and dry, awaiting a new coat of bilge white.

Speaking of paint, counted 30 chips on the outside that need repaired. So figured that be on my list for next week. Then a good buff job, and she'll be ready to start assembly again. I had nice chat with David's wife, and we decided to finish this project as he would have done it. Then once back on the water, we'll decide how to proceed next.

Also checked the lower units, and after a year of setting out in the weather, they both spin freely, and only gear oil drained out the bottom. That's certainly refreshing, as those are now the only thing I don't need to mess with. Expect to see some roostertails again mid June..

That’s great Ken. Let me know if you need a chase boat or a general boat flunky when you bring it back to Sarasota.

Been a busy summer with other projects, but I pulled Voodoo back into the shop this week to start prepping the bilge. Another fresh coat of bilge white, then clean up the wiring and everything we couldn't get to with the engines in there. One quart down, one to go..




Also picked up these two pieces from my local welder. Started building these two years and a month ago. He is the fourth person to work them, but I'm happy with results. Couple passes on the bench sander, then maybe a light polish, and then one less piece of aluminum in the seawater system. Think I'll hold onto this pattern for everyone else running that 1200 merc pump manifold.




More on the way.