crabbait & Skein Boats Update (pics!)

crabbait · 07-02-2003, 10:05 AM

Well the bad news is that the boats were to be delivered...uh...now, and are not quite ready. The good news is that Ed Wing and crew are welding away on some pretty salty looking boats!

Enough tease. Here are pictures of the progress as of Tuesday, July 1, 2003:

There they are! New additions to the Salty Dog's tuna fleet. The bulkhead you are seeing is actually the rear of the cabin. Reason for the small window on the starboard side is that the second helm goes there.

The above shot shows the interior and all the stringers from the aft looking forward. Beam is 8', length is 23' excluding the swimstep/offshore bracket). Note that the entire boat is 1/4" high grade aluminum alloy. Ed builds boats to GC commericial boats specifications, much more stringent than the average sport boat builder. The horizontal brace in the rear shows the level of the cockpit deck. The fuel tank will sit between that brace and the cabin providing 100gal fuel and 750lbs of stability enhancing ballast right on the centerline amidship.

You can also see the bulkhead that separates the front of the cabin from the forward storage area (looking through the cabin hatch). The forward bulkhead you can see is where the steering column will extend, leaving all that flat space for mounting toys.

Here is a shot from the stern. That is my nephew Ryan. He is 6'1" for reference. The stern is resting on the floor. You can see that the cockpit is going to be roomy on these babys! To the stern, Ed will weld a 24" swim step with an offshore bracket to mount the main and kicker engines. Scuppers will be cut in the stern above the cockpit deck (and swim step). There are no drain plugs or bilge pumps as everything below decks is waterproof hatched (commercial grade dogged hatch) or welded closed.

You can also see the 3" pipe (compound bent) that is being welded to the top of the sides and extends all the way to the bow. Rails will be mounted on top of that.

Here is a bow shot so you can more clearly see the 3" pipe that is going on top of the sides. You can also see the top of the forward bulkhead (curved). From that bulkhead to the rear of the cabin (visible bulkhead with window cutouts) is 8'.

We still have a ways to go. Ed and crew have been working on them for about a month and he says two or three more weeks (I'm betting three). I con't wait and I am sure that Skein feels the same way.

Weld, Ed, WELD!

[ 07-02-2003, 11:23 AM: Message edited by: crabbait ]

corrirod · 07-02-2003, 10:14 AM

Those aren't boats..........they're TANKS! :tongue:

They look awesome! Good call on those Crabbait and Skein!

Mello-Yello · 07-02-2003, 10:15 AM

Wow, very nice! Question, now how do I get this drool out of my keyboard?

Dang nice ski boats boys!

CATCH AND EAT · 07-02-2003, 10:22 AM

Nice boats boys! What are you powering them with? What length are they? Will they have air conditioning? How about power breaks? Those are nice boats. I have been in a Pacific skiff with a pilot house/walk around. Those were heavy built boats. These that your guys are building are war ready tanks. Where will the turret go?

Miss B Haven · 07-02-2003, 10:30 AM

"Here is a shot from the stern. That is my nephew Ryan. He is 6'1" for reference. The stern is resting on the floor. You can see that the cockpit is going to be roomy on these babys!"

Crabbait- You're going to need to wear high heels to reach the Gunnels. :grin: I hope you've got a potty going in cause you won't be able to well.... you know... over the side either. :shocked:

Not bad for beer cans!

crabbait · 07-02-2003, 10:31 AM

They are 23'X 8' plus the swimstep/offshore bracket. Puffin's is powered by a 130hp Honda and is 2' shorter than these. I went with a 140hp Susuki 4-stroke and a 9.9 Yamaha electric tilt/start high thrust kicker. The Suzuki is about 100lbs lighter than Puffin's Honda and Ed says that thea dded length will make is plane easier (more displacement). I considered a Yamaha 225hp 4-stroke, but ultimate speed is not the goal. I want a boat that will stay on plane at lowest practical speed with a reasonable top speed (40-45mph) and will have great range.

As for air conditioning, yeah, you open the front hatch and the side windows! Ed says he will put the turret anywhere you want it!

Mel - Don't forget the deck is above the waterline! I am putting rails on top the 3" pipe to make sure folks stay aboard!

[ 07-02-2003, 11:34 AM: Message edited by: crabbait ]

WaterDog · 07-02-2003, 10:51 AM

Man y'all are getting a sweet ride.

You guys need to bring one or both to a TA meeting so the rest of us can drool on them a bit. :grin:

When do crew sign-ups begin?

kenai · 07-02-2003, 12:09 PM

They are awesome indeed! And only 3 weeks away, cant wait to see the finished product. I think I'm having vessel envy.

puffins crew · 07-02-2003, 12:58 PM

Thanks for the pics. WOW!!

What a rare treat. Seeing these fish destroyers being built.

I am impressed, and am having boat envy also.

I know what the Puffin can do, and know that the finished product will serve you both well.

WELD, ED, WELD!!!

Peace, Tom

DipSeaDiver · 07-02-2003, 01:03 PM

Crabbait, Thanks for the pictures!!

Skein, Get back to work!! Remember we have to pay for this ssssoooonnnn....

By the way, we need to talk about the potty..... :grin:

WORK! Skein,WORK!!!

[ 07-02-2003, 02:05 PM: Message edited by: DipSeaDiver ]

blubeast · 07-02-2003, 01:07 PM

"1/4 inch high grade aluminum alloy".... didn't I read someplace that tuna blood was caustic when splashed on this metal? :smile:

Great Pics... Great looking boats...

WaterDog · 07-02-2003, 02:34 PM

Quote:

WORK! Skein,WORK!!!

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">So that is what it's like to have your wife on the board too. What a bummer.

No place for Skein to hide. :depressed:

Orca · 07-02-2003, 02:51 PM

Very Nice! I need one of these for myself, but how is Ed Wing going to keep up with demand after these hit the water?

skein · 07-02-2003, 02:52 PM

Yeah, Waterdog,

Quote:

So that is what it's like to have your wife on the board too. No place for Skein to hide

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">But this is what it's like to have her ON board:

How do you like that smile? It's worth EVERY MOMENT!

[img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

[img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

Skein

WaterDog · 07-02-2003, 03:19 PM

Priceless indeed!!!! [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

fishwhenican · 07-02-2003, 05:07 PM

Skein, Make sure you have them weld on some eyes at the back of the boat and a couple at the front for the sling at Port Orford. Less pucker factor with your own ropes than the sling under the boat. Are you getting a dive ladder built?

Reminder: Droll on the keyboard can cause them to malfunction :grin:

Birdnest · 07-02-2003, 06:05 PM

Man oh man, I am speechless...

It sure is fun being able to share this with you'll, kinda like watching a friend catch a great fish. Guese I wasn't speechless after all. Much congrats.

Joe

DipSeaDiver · 07-02-2003, 06:25 PM

Thanks, Birdnest. Uh...seems I remember you mentioning you had a quarter left when you took delivery of your beauty. S'pose I could borrow it? Or was that "No Quarter?" :grin:

Fishwhenican,

I wish I knew more about that sling stuff. I'll ask Ed about it when I go up. Seems like a good idea, but I'm clueless. No dive ladder in the works, but I'll come up with something since we want to do some diving out of it. Port Orford reefs, here we come!

Can't wait to see you guys on the water.

Skein

skein · 07-02-2003, 06:31 PM

Dang-it, I was logged in as DipSea Diver. :blush:

I can't get used to her being on the board too. Maybe I'll have to get another computer.

Skein

BUGLEMAN · 07-02-2003, 07:42 PM

"They have no quarter" Was that a Led Zeppelin quote?

Nice boat BTW.... Hey the 100lbs less on the tail will come in handy. In the heat of the battle with a few JOHN boys back there those scuppers can flow the wrong way. Your longer and lighter tail should balance out nicely.

[ 07-02-2003, 08:44 PM: Message edited by: BUGLEMAN ]

skein · 07-02-2003, 11:43 PM

I am at work today. :depressed:

Crabbait sent me these pictures. :shocked:

I am unable to continue working. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

ARE THESE AWESOME BOATS, OR WHAT???

Oops, sorry for shouting.

Weld, Ed, weld!

(I wonder if they would mind working over the 4th...)

Skein

PeterMac · 07-02-2003, 11:47 PM

WOW!!! :shocked: Those are beauts! Fish will fear you. When do the naming threads begin? :grin:

PeterMac

Birdnest · 07-03-2003, 07:09 AM

Bugleman,

"No Quarter" is a Zep song, but it is more a saying that refers to no mercy (bonk, bonk). I believe it can be traced back to offering no quaters (hospitality) which was in affect, showing no mercy. As for our boat, we will offer hospitality, we just will bonk you over the head and cut you gills first. :grin: In our case it also refers to the fact we have no quarters left.

Joe

PS My wife doesn't like the name, she hates that most people don't get it.

BUGLEMAN · 07-03-2003, 07:30 AM

Fish..... "They ask no quarter" I think the song was written by a Salty Dog at heart.

Grantspastor · 07-03-2003, 07:41 AM

Is envy a sin? Cause if it is I'm in trouble

Norm · 07-03-2003, 08:01 AM

All I can say is S W E E E E E T !

Ragnar · 07-03-2003, 08:38 AM

As a guy who has welded boats for a living, I must say those are some beautiful pieces of art. Maybe I should move down to Chinook and take Ed Wing up on his employment offer........ A couple of regular "war-horses!" Big and tough. You boys let me know if you need any "toys" welded on after you've taken them out for the shakedown and decided you need some extras.
Nice boats guys!
Ragnar

crabbait · 07-03-2003, 10:11 AM

Ragnar - Thanks for the offer! You are in the right place (Vanc) I might have to take you up on that.

Fish Hawg · 07-03-2003, 04:39 PM

wow what a boat,

what is the hull at the stern 14 deg? what are you using for a motor/motors?

norms gone fishing too · 07-03-2003, 06:22 PM

nice very nice

Clarity · 07-03-2003, 08:50 PM

Oh man, am I jealous! All is well, though, as long as I win powerball on Saturday, Ed can make me one next!