Recent content by SamR

As others have said going custom would be my approach. I would look for welding shops that are not boat specific but do a lot of marine work (gangways, etc). Chances are there is a welder in the shop that is looking for some side work, has a passion for boating/fishing and can use the shop...

I’ve got a 98’ 1800 too. Before you add a battery, I would suggest moving the bats inside the console vs. the jump seats. The hull is very capable but shifting the weight to the center will help soften the ride. Ditto on resealing everything. The only weak spot in the build for me is the...

Even it were 5200 it could be cut. Segmented razor blades work and it is what I would try first. Wire and a couple of dowels makes for a nice saw. Once you get get under the metal lip or the holder it will conform and slice.

Excellent info guys. Accessibility to reliable dealers/service is huge for me. I live in Boston and have been spoiled by having Monahan’s so close to me. The closest Suzuki dealer is twice as far away, plus I’ve never worked with them. Eventually, the Parker will be relocated to Ocracoke and so...

I'm doing a complete repower of a 98' 1800. Everyone down in NC seams to be running Suzuki, maybe a few Yamahas thrown in. In looking at specs on engines, one thing jumped out to me. Can anyone explain? 20" Suzukis DF115B = 415# DF140B = 410# DF150A = 518# Decisions, decisions...

I run a ‘98 1800 with a now dead 115. Repowering with a 150, probably, but no issues with something closer to the old HP. As noted above, a Parker 18 is a Jack of all trades kind of boat. 30 miles out, 200 mile treks, launch on rocks. About the only thing that I wouldn’t do with it is pole a...

Will do as soon as I get back from vacation. All my notes are there. Thanks for the detailed reply. That 3-4” of headroom is helpful. I’ll need to factor in my height against a leaning post too.

I am going the gelcoat route and mixing my own. Color matching was a fun little puzzle for my head. I ended up with a recipe made from off the shelf tints mixed to make the hue I wanted, then mixed into Total Boat white. Although my initial design for a console top ebox failed due to my layup...

I would. I’m building chases into mine which also add to the structure. Really enjoying following your build. Thank you for sharing.

Interesting note on the poly/ply compatibility. Layup in a mold is so much easier for me. If you want to save some money on the mold, people are always throwing away tables that can be cannibalized. I need to get into vacuum bagging next.

It wouldn’t be hard to fab a window that tilts forward. That’s my plan anyway. Vents, cowls and hatches can be an inexpensive solution too. Second thought: you could make it hinged and removable. Stow it under the hardtop. Going to have to steal this idea for myself 🙂 MARINE CITY 316 Grade...

Very helpful posts everyone. Thanks for sharing. I’ve been planning on building the same for ages but finally have the console stripped down and am moving my wheel closer to the center of the console. With the way that I drive with a fly rod in hand, I would catch my hand between the wheel and...

On the windows, why not just fab your own with polycarbonate and add off the shelf gaskets and hardware? The windows should be flush with the surface of the gelcoat so just cut the shapes that you want out of 3/4” plywood, round the edges on one side, and screw them to the inside of your mold...

Yup, that is what I was suggesting. Clay works too but depending on the radius there would be quite a bit of it. Spray foam would be quick and the waxed PVC would make uniformity easy enough that even I couldn’t screw it up 🙂

On the larger inside radius corners, I’m planning on waxing up PVC pipe and laying down a bead of minimally expanding foam in the corner under it, with painters tape in place to catch the foam that overflows. Since I’m assuming that this is going to be a one off mold for you, durability isn’t an...