Posts by Stick em

There is one Yellowtail on each side (3.5" long) and the shield on the bottom of the gun. More lead is hidden under the handle frame as well.

Here is my first attempt at working with AB shell. I ordered the shell pieces and jewelers saw online (can't remember where from). I used Black MOP, Gold MOP, White MOP shell to complete the inlays. I was in the process of building a new gun for Baja (the last one became a hand-me-down), and decided since I was building a Baja gun, it might as well have my favorite fish (and likely target) on it as well. The gun is a 57" Paduk enclosed track shooting 3x 5/8 bands. I could have just covered the lead with wood plugs or something similar, but know how the Jacks love BLING. The gun took just over 4oz of lead to make for even ballast/balance. I think it looks pretty decent for a first timer....and this cuda couldn't stop staring at the Yellowtails on the sides while I was looking for wahoo. Lucky bugger got to see the gun fire it's first time. :thumbsup2:

I have to say Thank You to Dan for standing behind the Speardiver wetsuits MORE than 100% (despite my negative original post). Replacing the split seamed pants and the socks would be 100%....but he went above and beyond. He also sent me the glue to repair the split seam on the damaged pair of pants, free of charge-so I can keep them as a backup pair. The pants that he sent to replace the original are stitched perfectly and flawless. The sock stitching does not intrude into the inner surface in any area. Great customer service -Thank You again Dan.
I was going to edit my original post, but have chosen to leave it -and add this post as a testament to Dan's commitment to his product.

I just returned last night from an eight day trip to the Dry Tortugas after trying out my new Pacific Wetsuit from Dan. While I was originally very impressed by the suit (suppleness, cut, and features), I have to say I am no longer impressed. The stitching has become unraveled badly an the the one seam has already split wide open. Upon further inspection of my suit I found the cuff stitching to be very loose (protrudes past the cuff itself exposing the loops of thread). I have some pictures I will upload and post. Before anyone asks; yes, I know to use lube, and no the suit is not the least bit small-I was between sizes and opted for the larger of the two. I hope this is a spot where we can post honest reviews. I still love the cut and material-it's just the stitching I am not impressed with.
Mark

Welcome, from a long way from where you are.
Except for on Speardiver.:)

Quote from reecehitch

the camo suits are not cheap if you go to you tube look up wetsuit painting theres one or two vids on this ive done it havent got to use it yet but the nice part is i got to paint my top my own way like the reef that i visit on a normal basis

They are both the same great price from www.spearfishing.store

That's a beast. Nice FIsh.

The unpainted rectangle in the rear is the where the old gas tank cover was. The opening towards the bow is where the new hatch will be over all the important stuff so I can have a look/do some work when I please. Only a couple more weeks and the ice should be off the Lakes.

Not too bad a fit with the replacement deck. Now for some more glass and a bit of paint.

Making Way...

I have to agree with you on the "floppy" bands with the tie in bands Dan. When I built my first two guns I used the tie in method. When I finally got around to getting out with the gun I hated it. After the first trip I came home and cut off the bands and reconfigured the muzzle to hold the bands in a standard band slot. I would never build another gun with tie in bands-I just don't like them. I just noticed it is the gun in my avatar (this was the day I decided to never put tie-ins on again).

Yesterday we installed tie down rings to the stringers and sealed them with resin. Next we cut some bar mat to use as "bedding" for the tank. The tank sits flat on the hull with the rubber underneath for wear/rub protection. Next, we used 5200 to affix the bar mat strips to the top of the tank for a chaff strip where the straps will go. Poly tanks need to be installed with 3-5% room for expansion once filled- that is why we did not "block in" the tank with wood or fiberglass. The tank was then removed again and we cut 3-4" strips of 1/2" marine plywood and screwed them (from the bottom up) to the existing "lip" we left around the tank on the deck. This "lip" will be the platform on which we will set the new deck.The plywood strips, screws, and all exposed surfaces were then covered in Resin and allowed to set up overnight. More to come...

Quote from tufual

i can't imagine just dropping a circular saw on a boat [ feels wrong ] good luck . :thumbsup2:

Not as wrong as floating on a cube of gas :thumbsup2:

Long day of cutting the last of the "napalm" foam out. It is drying in the sun, and headed for the land fill afterwards. Dropping the circular saw on the deck wasn't all that scary once you could see how deep to make the cut. Overall: 7 garbage cans full of gas soaked foam out of the boat. WOW. Mojitos with the gas fumes today. More pics with coming with sobriety, might take a day off for chocolate bunnies with the kid tomorrow.

It looks like a few of the welds were not so perfect. Then again, I think 20 yrs is about average on aluminum tanks.

My boat is a hand made boat out of Oregon, by a builder that is long gone. The boat is a NO KA OI brand in their 20' walk-around style. Made for crossing the rough surf of the Columbia Bar (or so I've read in the limited info out there). I will be replacing the original (1993) Aluminum gas tank (30 gal) with a Poly tank (25gal) from Moeller.
Fuel sender is where the float is: Lower middle of Pic

Dan,
Thread a tape measure into the hole where the fuel sender goes. Measure from side to side of hole and front to back...cross fingers and cut. The important part is leaving a nice 'lip' for re-glassing the deck.

Welcome Winston

I don't have a good pic of the boat clean Dan. I suffered a massive computer crash a while back and just wouldn't know where to look. I will get one up after she's all buffed up and full of juice.