Outboard Motor Startup Video

Today my brother Gary and I were able to start up my Johnson 40hp outboard for the first time since I purchased it last fall.  When I bought this engine it was out of the water and all I had was an opportunity to turn it over so it was very exciting to see it run.  No problems.  I used an Odyssey Battery 680 with 225 amps (the same battery that I use in my airplane and it turns that 200hp engine over in -4 deg weather with no problems). 

 

Floor Layout

I have begun to layout the floor.  I am using 4 1/4" X 3/4" "Ash" boards with 1/4" spacing.  They are just put in position.  They are not fastened because I will need to remove them so I can epoxy coat the floor supports before the final assembly.

Interior framing has started

It has been a while since I have made any postings on my boat build but I will have more photos and news on my progress in the following weeks.  I have been working on the boat a couple of days a week because of the great weather that we are having here in Michigan.  This project is a hobby, so the speed of things have slowed down while I enjoy the outside weather.

I have been able to put some of the structure supports into position.  They are not glued or fastened into position.  I am trying to make a few important decisions before I make them permanent.  I need to figure out the fuel system.  I am having a hard time deciding if I should make the tank permanent or a portable tank.  It all comes down to how much room I have and the type of use this boat will see.  As of right now, I am leaning towards putting in a portable tank.  I have a plastic dock and I get a lot of static electricity and a portable tank would allow me fill the tank on shore and not have that worry about a fire.  (That would not look good if the Fire Chief had a fire for doing something stupid).  A portable tank also allows me to keep the gas fresh.

I have also obtained my wood for the floor.  I will be using Ash wood for the floor.  I will plank the floor with 4 1/4" X 3/4" with the spacing of 1/4".

Life Gets in the Way

Well, not much boat building going on. On Friday night we got hit with a nice storm, taking out one of the top limbs on my willow tree. Needless to say, I spent all day Saturday cleaning up the mess. I was able to make a run to Detroit and pick up a few sheets of 1/2 inch marine birch plywood so I would have the wood on hand when I started to make the seat base. Today is Fathers Day, so I am just planning on spending some time with my wife on the lake and watch a little golf in the evening. You have got to love a DVR. My daughter, Dawn lives in Chicago and see sent me a real nice package of cookies. We will spend all next weekend together flying hot air balloons in the Howell, Michigan Balloon Festival.

A Boat Builder's Visit

On Wednesday evening "Zip" boat builder, Howard Katzman from West Bloomfield, Michigan came over to my house to see my project and give me a little critique on my "Zip". Howard has a wonderful boat and it really shows when you look at all the details. Howard offered to have me take another look at his boat so I jumped at the opportunity. On Thursday evening I was able to take measurements and get a real good idea on the challenges ahead of me. Also, visiting with me were my brother Gary, Uncle Ray and "Squirt" boat builder Art Atkinson.

In the first photo is a Howard looking over my "Zip". Picture two, from left to right. (Howard, Ted, Art). Picture three, shows all of the photos that Howard gave me of his build process.

My "Zip" Flip

June 12, 2010....It was a monumental night. Thursday afternoons are golf night and we finished a little early. Once we were in the clubhouse we started talking about my boat build and I explained that I was ready to flip my boat. Everyone said, "Lets do it now", so the decision was made. I gave a call to my neighbors Scott and Heath and "Squirt Boat Builder", Art Atkinson. With the help of a friend and golfer Rick, brothers Joey and Gary, Uncle Ray and my wife Lynn (photographer). The boat was picked up and Flipped over. What a feeling. The same great feeling I had when my airplane was in the canoe stage of building and we rolled it over to look inside the cockpit for the first time. Just like moving day for the airplane. Thanks too everyone who helped me get to this stage in my build.

Ready to make the "Flip"

After 2 coats of primer and 6 coats of color and hours and hours of sanding, buffing and polishing I am ready to "Flip" my boat over and start working on the inside and the top deck. I did have many issues with painting and I never did get it as nice as I hoped but it is good enough and I need to start moving forward. The straw that broke the camels back was when I was almost done sanding, just before buffing when I tipped over the halogen light and it fell right on the corner of the chine taking out a big chip in the paint right down to the fiberglass. That is when I yelled, "uncle" and said, make the repair and move forward. I came to grips with the fact that 90% of what I painted will be under water and it still looks pretty darn good.

A friend of mine and fellow boat builder Art Atkinson loaned me two floor jacks and a large oak stairway rail so I could support the boat while I dismantled the Jig that is located under the boat.

The Jig is now removed and the cradle that the boat will sit on once it is flipped over is waiting for the boat. Now all I need to do is get a half dozen guys together and flip this thing. I am hoping this will happen Friday afternoon.