New dive boat...

[David Sutton]

WELL the new boat build is underway, i have looked for this hull for a long time and finally got one, it a 81 wellcraft Airslot 24' with a 235 Johnson OB, lot more deck space than my proline 23' and still have the cuddy to get changed in, nothing like dry cloths after a good day of diving, This will be ready for spring

 

[dave4868]

Congrats! Nice find!

Looks like a real stable hull design. And being an outboard will open up a huge amount of deck space compared to your old inboard!

Can you post a pic looking down into the cockpit and deck area? I just took a look at my pics of your old rig and this one will be much better for diving.

I'll be glad to help you recoup costs....

Dave C

 

[David Sutton]

Always a open seat for you Dave !!

 

[David Sutton]

Work in progress, got the old carpet torn out, got new, got the new bottom paint as well. picking up a radar arch next weekend, i got a set of real nice deck lights for the arch, still looking for a good dive ladder, my just bite the bullet and buy a good one, all the cushons are in the cuddy, plenty of room to change. deck has two storage holes and a live well infrount of the motor. not much work to do, well worth it !

 

[dave4868]

Work in progress, got the old carpet torn out, got new, got the new bottom paint as well. picking up a radar arch next weekend, i got a set of real nice deck lights for the arch, still looking for a good dive ladder, my just bite the bullet and buy a good one, all the cushons are in the cuddy, plenty of room to change. deck has two storage holes and a live well infrount of the motor. not much work to do, well worth it !

Wow! Even better than I imagined! Great deck space!

Like scalloping in my 19' SeaNymph outboard, your new boat will have the advantage of a wide motor well and low transom, making it easier to haul and store the extremely heavy filled catch bags.

That would leave the floor space open while divers reboard and others get ready to enter the water. After getting the next crew got into the water, the divers remaining in the boat could sit on the stern corners and shuck scallops right from the motor well, keeping most of the mess outside of the boat! You'll find that wide motor well and low transom will be wonderful!

You'll probably not need the extra room, but I made more room by taking the seats off their pedestals and leaving them home. That let me place my two upright Pelican 6-tank racks more forward for better trim and utilization of space.

Real nice boat, David!

The trailer looks to be in excellent shape, too! Is it newer?

Is the motor an '81? Low hours? Did you run it?

Everything looks like it's had low usage or was well-cared for.

Again, NICE find!

Dave C

 

[David Sutton]

Hey Dave check this link out, i just got it for the boat. i talkd with the guy and uped it to a chartplotter softwear pkg. this is some nice stuff. Oh sent me a e-mail for some reason your e-mail add is gone




MILITARY ITRONIX GoBook III NAV CHARTING CHARTS & GPS - eBay (item 120655455838 end time Dec-04-10 15:50:25 PST)

 

[dave4868]

Hey Dave check this link out, i just got it for the boat. i talkd with the guy and uped it to a chartplotter softwear pkg. this is some nice stuff. Oh sent me a e-mail for some reason your e-mail add is gone

From the specs, that looks like a very capable system! A real nice addition to your project boat!

Email sent.

Dave C

 

[Md Spear]

Custom Dive and Swim Platforms by Action Welding of Cape Coral

Check out this link. I had these guys make my diveplatforms as the rails enable you to keep hands on them till you are in the boat.Nice in thrashing seas in a small boat. I used a 4 step ladder. pix of what they made for my 1988 wellcraft.

you know dive boat fabrication is a never ending adventure [ie, wallet hemorage]

 

[JBert]

Looks like a cool project! Let me know if you need a hand. I'm right over the border from you and have been playing with boats my whole life!

Good luck!

 

[Sean222]

WELL the new boat build is underway, i have looked for this hull for a long time and finally got one, it a 81 wellcraft Airslot 24' with a 235 Johnson OB, lot more deck space than my proline 23' and still have the cuddy to get changed in, nothing like dry cloths after a good day of diving, This will be ready for spring

Good luck with your new boat. I had a 1988 25' Wellcraft Sportsman for 17 years before present needs made me move up in size. If you have any penetrations of the deck (as in deck plates etc.) you will want to re seal them as they are probably due. The cockpit decks tend to rot out but are not that big of a deal to fix. Also check for moisture in the transom. If it is dry then you are in good shape, keep up on the sealant and you will be good for a long time. How does the fuel tank look?