Winter upgrades part 2
 

Well, the boats put away for winter now. Snug as a bug in a rug.

Ive started my list of this winters projects:

1. Swim Step
2. Re-upholster bucket seats
3. Re-upholster remaining front cushions in bow.
4. Install O2 sensors in exhaust risers and fine tune motor.
5. Re-furbish trailer (bunks, carpet, paint)

Whats on your boat list this winter ???

Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

I've been waiting to see your winter upgrade(s) this year. It appears your last season was spent fine tuning the worked over motor. Hope all the bugs got worked out!
For my upgrades the highest priority goes to the swim platform. Rocky Mountain will be building it an I'll be putting it on. Have yet to decide on the size/style. I'm leaning towards the 85" wedge an not sure how long to make it. I like the elite model but I think it will look too big on my 25' boat. I'd have to see one in person I suppose.
Next would be the tabs. Pretty sure I'm going to go with the smart tabs. They say money back if you're not satisfied. From everything I've read about them and considering the price I think they will do what I need. If not I can throw on some adjustable tabs.
I've all ready purchased the battery isolator kit that has an ACR. I'll put that on when shrink wrap comes off.
As much as I wanted to stay away from adding a sub to the stereo I think that is on the list. I have a kx400.1 and a solobaric 10 that I will build a box for an fit in there somewhere.
Other than that, fix the depth gauge and add the blue lighting I didn't get around to installing last season. Contemplating re doing the sun pad. I want some high quality vinyl. Ideas?
She runs great and the out drive is good as new with maybe 20 hrs on it. Should be ready for another fun filled season!

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Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

Your right though. Last winter turned into middle to late summer before we were able to use. It bummed my wife a lil , til i told her how much money we DIDNT spend on gas. That and since everything is brand new, I was ok, not putting the screws to it right away.

Still some ultra fine tuning to do, but she fires up and runs great right now. I will be ready for first day light next spring. Pulling seats out this next week, upholstery guy says 7 days to do them, then another 3 days to do the front cushions.

Swim step will be a new years thing. Got the template done, just need to bend that first bar and weld her together.

Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

oh and finally competed the head unit install last week. We are now fully wireless (iphone), blue tooth and wifi connected. We can turn on one of our phones, turn on the hot spot and blue tooth and the boat becomes a mobile hot spot.

Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

Are you going with the Denver swimplatform?

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Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

nope...building my own. tubular design, boat board deck platform with with swim-dek overlay.

Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

That's awesome! I've seen really cool custom ones. Not a welder though. Swim dek is awesome

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Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

It will take me a couple of month IM sure to build it over the weekends, plus add the swim dek material to both it and the factory swim deck area. Im gonna loose the factory ladder and door, fill in all the holes and add LED lighting under the new platform.

Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

That's something I will miss. The factory ladder is a pretty high standard in my opinion. My dad is a big guy an has no problem getting up it. I'm not convinced the one that comes on the new platform is the same quality...

Have you thought about having the existing ladder area glassed over an gel coated to make it look like it was never there?

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Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

You have any photos of the deck design you are going after? Im still open to ideas.

Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

I appreciate seeing the projects and information and thought you might get a kick out of my latest winter project. I had some Brazilian teak decking left over from another job and built a swimplatform with it. Epoxy was used to glue the pieces together. The "Mariah" font is close to one found on the internet and just needed editing around the "i". The stainless tubing and plates are fabricated but need a welder.
Given all the + feedback on swimplatforms in the forums, we're looking forward to having one.

Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

That is beautiful looking! I'm familiar with that wood. Tough stuff. Very creative!

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Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

I purchased the same ladder used on the platforms from Arizona. It's without a doubt, the toughest, well built model available.

https://windline.com/index.php?route...&product_id=57

http://www.aquaperformance.com/apima...9UMLX3_lrg.jpg

Due to the over height of the back of the boat out of the water, it is necessary to have a intermediate step of some sort to get from the factory swim deck area to the newly mounted swim step, otherwise your swim step will too high out of the water. I will be removing my factory ladder and cover door, glassing in the holes and placing in the bottom of the cavity the same sea dek material. My plan to is mount the new platform evenly spaced between the factory deck, to base of ladder to new swim step, making each step even. That should place the swim step approx 12 inches below factory deck.

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...F4E9B6CA2A.jpg

The style will be lot like this. Tubular exo frame, with solid boat board center, covered in sea dek material.

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v3/607...pg_220x220.jpg

The exo frame will be powder coated white to match the boat, then a polished outer hand rail (like pictured below) will be welded around the perimeter.

http://www.seadek.com/blog/wp-conten...latform_02.jpg

Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

Those both look like they are going to come out awesome.
I saw this one on one of my last boating trips this year. I guess his last boat must have had a small platform or something.

Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

That's a dance floor

Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

I like you're idea Steve. That will look really sharp on there. I found sheets (rolls?) of that sea dek on a web site for a reasonable price. I think it would also make for a very nice mat in the cockpit area (where folks normally use a snap in carpet).

As for the last platform... Wow... My initial thought was it'd make a great platform to put a jetski or dingy on while underway. Upon further inspection I think the entire entourage of Hawaiian Tropic lotion models would be a better fit!

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Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

Add a stripper pole too

Re: Winter upgrades part 2
 

That's the Four Winns 458, I remember it because I had the same thought when I saw it debut back in '07. Here's a pic from the boat show that year, with a dinghy mounted there. The salesman billed it as an extended platform capable of handling a dinghy or jet ski, if equipped with the optional mounts...

And here's the Bada Bing V with it's bolt on stripper pole mount... They actually printed out flyers onboard and distributed them to all the surrounding boats on the docks for their "dance contest" one night during the Christmas in July celebration a few years ago... It was thoroughly enjoyable by everyone on the dock. :eek_animated: :yes_grin: