Holty
04-24-2003, 09:32 PM
It seems a long time since that day last November when the boat hauler dragged my new 99 Mackinaw from the south shore to its new home here on the north side of Long Island . I was proud as could be as he set it up on blocks for the winter." Now lets not go crazy with changes and improvements the first year,O.K ?" my wife said. " O.K. honey ", I replied. I didn't go crazy . I went berserk and had a blast getting there.First I removed the rear bulkhead . I then used starboard to trim the pilot house sides where the bulkhead was for installation of a three section canvas fly with windows ( we went with forest green , the wife liked it ). With the bulkhead gone I built a seat back that I brought to a local upholsterer for padding and a vinyl covering. Trimed the sides of the engine box with 1/4 in. starboard to cover the 1 in. gap left from the bulkhead removal. With the engine covers open there is plenty of room for service.Next , an over head console to hold VHF and stereo. I could not belive this boat had no stereo! Two sets of speakers also had to be installed.I made a much larger counter top over the storage cabinet.Storage for 8 fishing rods on the port side of the pilot house. The V bunk area is not long enough to handle the rods???Next , a large set of tackle draws under the port seat ( still not complete). I had to relocate the FF and the GPS.They were on the front of the console area close to the windsheild. To far away for me. I like to see them from the stern of the boat while fishing at night. Many storage shelfs and racks from the bow to the stern. I used one whole sheet of 1/2 in. starboard ( about 90 lbs.) The rear bulkhead weighed about 140 pounds so I feel I am ahead of the game.Of course there was the mandatory work: new risers, plugs, dist. cap and rotor,zincs and the 20W50 with a pint of STP!! , dextron III. The boat name, registration numbers and a new boot stripe were also installed. Forest green of course. Had my nephew detail it and paint the bottom( Interlux ACT -- green).I trully have a blast working on this boat. I didn't pull the gas tanks, but it will happen next winter. Best of all was finding this site and reading all the information available from all you shammie owners. I don't think a day has gone by since I got the Mack that I haven't been on the site .I know I am babbleing but tomorrow is the big day. Svensson boat transporters is bringing the boat down to the harbor at 0700 hrs. Our winter in the northeast seemed as though it would never end this year. It did. I AM READY!!!
thanks Holty
thanks Holty