Hey Rick, John! The boat is running GREAT - having lots of fun - it is hard to offer much as an improvement, but here's two goodies I hope you'll consider - the lock collar retails for $20.50 and the gate valve and fittings at ~$35.00.

The lock collar is a MUST for anyone with an engine lift, to avoid pulling screws through the deck (no matter how cautious you are!! Also - move that switch forward, in place of the nav light switch please!)

To change oil (9 qts), I use a 12v Jabsco oil pump (the kind mounted to a 5 gallon bucket) and oil changes take 90 seconds - yes only 90 SECONDS!!!!!!!!!

Keith

Keith, I like the remote oil drain! I went over changes with John about the hatch piston, and that issue has been taken care of. Thanks for the info.
RA, Your KILLING MEEEEEEE, is it really that warm in Texas ?? They say it might reach 60 this week here.

Rick

Keith, Thanks For Heads Up On Your Above Projects !!! Gary

I'm not sure I see this correctly but did you actually drill holes right through the engine hatch for the hydraulic hatch lift bolts? I could never spoil the smooth hatch like that.

I understand the direct mechanical connection but couldn't you have glassed-in a 1'/3"/10" mini stringer on the underside to bolt to thus avoiding the hatch penetration and still giving a very solid mechanical connection?

How far is "funkcity" from SUPERBOATLAND???

The hatch on the 24 has a piece of wood glassed in for the hatch lift like funkcity is talking about. I'm sure it could be done on the 30 too.

Left Coast thankyou

Funk,
I brought that up with John on the last one. If I TWIST his arm hard enough...........he might change it.

Rick

John mentioned that he's going to make a single raised scoop (similar to the twin scoop) engine hatch used on the 30 with twins. Perhaps he could incorporate the appropriate anchoring point at the same time. I'd expressed interest in that style of hatch in building my boat (though those cheesy plastic vents gotta go!).