Day 46

Today was paint day. I spent the morning doing a final sand prep for paint. The pic is of her all ready to go.

I chose Earthy Cane from Porter for the color. It is a gloss and will be sanded down before the final coat of Parkers Khaki is applied. I did a lot of reasearch and boat builders/boat supply manufacturers told me that an exterior enamel will work sufficiently. I hope so... Porter called me a "fool". With it being beat up on blinds, trees, and rocks I think anything will scratch. We'll see.

Day 44

Finished all the sanding and put a coat of epoxy on the top and insides. Since it is warm today I also sprayed all the glossy accessories with a coat of flat khaki paint. Once the epoxy is dry I am going to start painting the whole boat. 3 coats total with the last being a khaki flat duck boat paint from Parkers. From there it is on to camo and electrical.

I am still trying to make sure all the fuses/etc are right before I install the system.

Day 42

Sand, Sand, Sand, Sand...

Day 41

Well, Noah built his boat in 40 days and I didn't. But I bet Noah didn't have to cook, clean, cart a kid to guitar and soccer. I also bet he had a little help from the man upstairs. I tried to get it built in 40 days but I think it will be more like 60.

Finished all the fiberglassing last night and will continue the interior and top sand until it is passable. I installed the splash rails and rub rails today (rubber will be installed last). They need filleting and sanding.

I set the seats in and temporarily installed the motor to see where I need to set the rear seat base.

Getting close.

Day 39

Flipped her today and started drilling all the major holes- drain, fuel line, etc. I also routered and sanded the splash rails. It feels good to get her back right side up. Still need to do a little fiberglassing, sanding, and barrier coat before painting.

Day 38

Just finished putting the 3rd coat of Earthy Cane paint on the bottom of the boat. I will let it cure out and flip her. Then finish the top and inside.

Day 35

Finished the last of the sanding and epoxy barrier coating on the bottom and sides of the boat. The epoxy has 4 coats on it total outside. I assume it will be 5 mills thick once dry.

The yellow tape on the pontoon bottoms and at the bow bottom edge is the Kevlar 10" tape. It was hard to cut (3 blades) and the edges fray when sanded. I do not like the way the edges look; however, it serves a purpose and the bottom is not for looks but function.

I am working on the paint and camo colors still.

Next is to paint the bottom and flip it back over where I can finsh the fiberglass on the top and inside of the pontoons, sand it all and apply the barrier coats. Then onto top and interior painting and install all the electrical/etc.