Re-Pete?? The Story of the ebay Sled

[Kruechief]

Well today we picked up the VS that we bought off of ebay. The sled's owner was a fellow named Olin King but he was known as Pete. He passed away in December from cancer. The boat was owned by Pete and Tom Weedman.

Anyway, I trucked the Willie DB up to Tacoma to Bob Williams and dropped it off.

I crossed I-5 at dawn this morning, what a sight! Mt Hood was lit in beautiful fluorescent pastel colors. Looking down at the river, I could see the "armada" heading out. There must have been a million boats down there. Each tucking and rolling to maneuver for position. "Go get ‘em boys (and girls too).

Well, we got hooked up with Tom and his son Robert at around 1:00pm. We went to his house and there the VS sat. Tom said that Pete had to fish last season for springers and that was the last time the VS had been used. I figured too, that with Pete battling the big "C" he probably didn't use it much for the months proceeding last spring. So, the boat had pretty much sat since Summer or fall of 2001.



She isn't pretty. But she was loved once. The sides were well seasoned from holding a spot in the hog line and she was filthy from sitting...

But still, what is it they say about "beauty and the beholder?" I am a sucker for a shiny object...

I started to look her over and noticed that Pete was obviously a great fisherman. His cannonballs were poured with stainless barrel swivels cast into them. The lead was included and there was quite a bit



Did you notice the little plaque? It reads, “This boat runs on gas not on thanks.” It is a subtle way of saying what we have discussed numerous times on this board. Soon, other aspects of the boat and gear revealed Pete's nature. Like, the fuel tank had been relocated forward behind the front deck storage.



Pete liked some kick too! The 19' sled is pushed by a 200hp Mercury. There is also a matching 6hp kicker. The cavitation plate is broke on the kicker but it runs good. The big motor has a broken cover so I'll be looking for one.



There is more to the story. We went to a boat launch in Milwaukie and something weird happened. Also, on the way home another "weird" thing happened. The whole trip and ride home was eventful. I don't want to sound like a flake and just so you know none of my family members or me have seen a UFO, Bigfoot or Elvis since his death. But there were a couple things that happened to day that were too strange to call coincidence.

I am so tired right now due to the 18-hour day that I'll have to write more later.

Loren

[ 03-02-2003, 10:45 AM: Message edited by: kruechief ]

[steelhooked]

sounds like the boat has good karma! congrats on the boat, glad it worked out for ya.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Krue, was someone sitting behind you wispering in your ear, "use the fickled Pickle". Looks like a nice find. Good luck with the boat to the new owner.

[Kruechief]

Cand E,

There is more to this story. You are very close to correct and you just gave me a chill. Fickle pickle Muh ha ha ha

Nothing bad associated... but more like a "guardian" thing or...oh I don't know. :whazzup:

Today, we started the clean up. i pulled 60 feet of useless trailer wiring out. Removed the bottoms out of the boxes. There use to be an electric anchor winch so there is a channel with a roller that goes up the bow and use to direct the rope over the front pulley. I pulled the 40' of battery cable out the back. The drain channel (bilge) seems to need some cleaning. The fuel line was also running down the under the floors too. That is going to be changed too as I am going to route it down the side

I need to relocate the battery from under the seat to back by the motor. Any ideas on who makes a sealed battery box to fit under the shelves in the back of the sled?

Well, the process has begun. Man I love to polish a ****

You won't recognize the boat in two weeks.

Loren

[Kruechief]

More clean up today.

Pulled up the floorboard between the seats and the one behind the seats. Flushed out the bilge and finally got it to flow.

We also got the fuel line out (with what was left of the 1/2" hose it was ran inside of). The protector hose was completely deteriorated and had began to break apart and clog things up.

What a mess! There was a front electric anchor winch at one time. So there were two battery cables going the length of the bilge. Plus the battery was in the starboard seat box. Therefore, there were all the cables for the motor and electronics in the bilge too. All the cables were swollen and in bad shape. Plus the fuel line was breaking down. There was a definite recipe for a disaster.

After hosing out and vacuuming the chunks, line etc.. out. Next, I replaced the foam in the bottom with the polyurethane can o' foam. Hope it works. I was real careful and only filed the spaces half way up to let the foam expand.

Tomorrow, I’ll cut new box bottoms and chalk them in. Shave the foam and reinstall the floorboards.

Whew...

I like restoring boats and trucks!

Must have a vision when you start or.. :whazzup: :shocked:

Krue

[ 03-03-2003, 08:29 PM: Message edited by: kruechief ]