LaConner goes under the knife

[welder]

Chaps, she is looking good.
Is there any thing on the threads on the tapped holes to keep the bolts from freezing up ?

[Chaps]

Yeah, the Porta's are never seen out here but are big down in your corner. I'm not using it for what it was designed as - flats boat giddy-up contraption but for my purpose I think its gonna be great.

[Chaps]

Chaps, she is looking good.
Is there any thing on the threads on the tapped holes to keep the bolts from freezing up ?

Yeah, Tef Gel

[welder]

Tuf Gel , good stuff

[Chaps]

Finally got around to hanging the engine today. Here are some pics showing the motor on the Porta bracket at max up/down. Well almost max down, there was about 3" of down movement left in the bracket but with the boat sitting on the trailer the skeg was hitting the floor of the shop.

[JETTYWOLF]

DAMN, THATS BAD AZZ!

[welder]

Chaps, nice job. Now you have a BUNCH more deck space Looks like NDI did a GREAT job on the remodel .
Are you going to have a ROLL BAR around the motor so something can't smack the motor while towing ?

[Chaps]

It Floats!

Probably the first time in 10 years this boat has been in the water.

Motor is fully down on the bracket in this pic, this is tow mode. I probably will put a guard around it. Nothing hooked up yet. Just wanted to see where she was going to ride compared to when the cockpit was stuffed with iron mercruisers. Yeah, I'm real happy with NDI's work.

[MacCTD]

Looks like it is sitting nice, you towing it with a Xterra?

[Chaps]

Looks like it is sitting nice, you towing it with a Xterra?

Just from my shop to the ramp (one mile) and right now its pretty light. By the time I get it rigged and fill the 125 gal fuel tank it'll be too much for the X, time to fire up the powerstroke at that point.

[wdkerek]

looking SA-WEET!!

[peterbo3]

G'Day Chaps,
It has come up really well. The "old" alloy inside the hull still looks clean & does not look as old as it is. Cannot imagine glass looking as good after 10 years on the hard.
What did the bracket cost you if you don't mind me asking? Link to them? We do not have those down here, or at least I have never seen one, & the areas of potential usage seem endless.

[S L Dave]

I think this is it Pete.
http://www.portaproducts.com/
I have never seen one before either.

[S L Dave]

Thanks Chaps for the great thread. Really interesting to see.

[Chaps]

G'Day Chaps,
It has come up really well. The "old" alloy inside the hull still looks clean & does not look as old as it is. Cannot imagine glass looking as good after 10 years on the hard.
What did the bracket cost you if you don't mind me asking? Link to them? We do not have those down here, or at least I have never seen one, & the areas of potential usage seem endless.

They (Porta brackets) are not well known outside of Florida as I understand it as they are primarily sold to those rigging flats boats but you are right in that a number of other uses can be dreamed up. Easily converting a vessel to outboard power is the obvious one. In my case my goal was to have more control over the position of my prop during various operational scenarios.

I'm looking for my invoice on that unit so I can quote accurately but as I recall it was something on the order of $2000 USD with the electric hydraulic pump. More costly than a simple welded bracket for sure but far more versatile.

Welding to the existing plating was challenging for the shop that did the work (NDI). Old alloy will allow fairly deep penetration of salts, oxides, oils and other minerals that will contaminate new welds adjoining it in spite of efforts to grind away the offending crud. The plate inside the old engine bay was very nice but there was quite a bit of fit-up to older material on the exterior that was a pain to work with.

[Chaps]

Thanks Chaps for the great thread. Really interesting to see.

It's all fun stuff, happy to share with the group. I've started the rigging, so far the bulk of the engine control, fuel system and battery system are roughed in. Hope to have it in the water for a few hours of engine breakin by this time next week.

I know it doesn't look like it but I'm getting close!

[MacCTD]

Hey Chaps,
Bumping back this thread for more pictures and info on the boat. How does it perform with the 225? Thinking I would like to do a project like this if I could find the right boat at the right price, this style of boat I could leave in a marina would allow me more use and use in bad weather.
I think you may have posted more info on the boat but I could not find it with the search function on this site.
Thanks.

[Chaps]

Well unfortunately I don't have a batch of numbers to post that would tell the fuel efficiency and performance story. So much of my use is short hops, towing, quick commutes to Seattle, afternoon crab & salmon gatherings, etc. that I don't have much to say other than its been a flawless machine and doesn't seem to use much fuel. Its strange (for me) to not already be looking for my next boat/project as I usually get itchy but this thing does everything I want it to do and anything else I could move towards forces me to give up function and utility that I currently have . . . just might keep this one for the duration!

[JETTYWOLF]

CHAPS,

How abouts a update.

Porta-Bracket after "awhile". Any issues, updated info, or is it still flawless?

I'd really just like to have me a Jackplate. But that's just in a long list of wants that won't make me any more $$.

I never knew after purchasing my boat that I'd never do anything else with it. I thought it may have made me more $$.

Those T&H marine Jackplates are all the rage. Still don't see many "porta's" round here. But I should.