My Unicorn

[Big Block Power]

Great job. Not sure why some of your pictures didn't show up. Software must still be messed up. You don't realize how big that thing is until you look how far apart the holes are. What sucks is they are not straight either. Good job Yt

[Ytmsn]

Thanks y'all. I really didn't think it would be very hard doing it alone since I had the hoist. What I didn't think about was getting in and out. And Tusc, remember that conversation we had about trying to do crap at our age that you used to do at nooo problem when you was younger? Yeah well...

With the engine hatch up you can't come off the back so i put a step ladder at the bow. I only had to go up and down it like a 100 times...
Seriously I don't known how many trips I made up and down but it was a lot.

Tgrace I normally hire things like this. But I really didn't want someone else drilling into my boat. jrcramer made me a set of templets and that helped big-time and I really didn't think it would be that big of a deal. BB told me what Ki d of bit to use so I made a quick trip to Lowe's for a bit and a few other things.

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He marked them from the bottom so after I drilled them out I just marked the duct tape

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One of the gaskets was still stuck on one side so I peeled it off and triple checked everything. I had gone to Napa Auto Parts and bought a rubber gasket material that's about sixteenth thick and cut out new gaskets.

[Ytmsn]

The software is wonky. I Keep trying to post pics and it kicks them out

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[Big Block Power]

He did a great job on those templates. Yes up and down gets old In a hurry. Plus it doesn't want to come down even and you don't want to poke something with the studs or scratch anything. Did those bits go through the metal ok? They made really clean holes when I used them on the gel plus they don't catch the gel to crack it.

[Ytmsn]

One of the things I worried about was the gunal being strong enough to support this beast. I had planned on holding off to the fall so my fiberglass guy could reinforce both sides, and then he was going to install it. But I got anxious!

After I drilled the first hole with Bbs fancysmancy bit I hit the steel plate. It pretty much burned it up because I didn't know that's what it was and kept pressing down. And drilling a 5/8ths hole into fiberglass makes a helluva mess..

Back down the ladder. Find a big bit with a small shank because all I had was a 3/8ths drill...

BB I used your bit for the initial hole. Then drilled a 1/4 inch pilot, then a 5/8ths.

All the holes got drilled and chamfered and it was time to set the tower. The hoist is manual and is geared VEry low so it takes forever. That's when I discovered I needed about 3 more inches in height. Crap. Lower it down and readjust..

The hoist was on rollers so moving it into place without dragging the bolts across the gelcoat or upholstery was a pain. Another person would had helped a ton. This part contributed to at least 30 trips up and down the ladder

20180324_130736.jpg

Once it was in place I had to lower it down. Of course the holes didn't line up perfectly so it needed a bit of persuasion even after triple checking everything. Grrr

I got the front bolts in, climbed into the hatch, bent in half and stretched out to the front bolt with a nut. It was a beotch. Have you ever seen that video of that guy that can fold himself into a suitcase? Imagine that same guy in a suitcase on the kitchen floor, then reaching up to set a cup of coffee on the counter. Or write his name on a tablet.

It took a loooong time, lower a bit, climb in, fold into thirds, put on washers and nuts, climb to the other side, fold into thirds, climb out, lower a bit... You get the idea.

Sooo, if anyone ever bas the bright idea of doing this again?
Don't. And if you do, hire it done. I swear I have such a new respect for these guys that work on boats everyday. How the hell they do what they do is beyond me.

I still have to finish it out and touch up the gelcoat in a few places. Was it worth it. Damm skippy!

I now has a Unicorn!

[AsLan7]

Man, that is a great thread, Yt. You're my hero getting down and dirty to get this unicorn beast mounted.
Very impressive. You're a better man than I my friend.

[Ytmsn]

Oh I don't know about that ole buddy. I blame it on Thunder!
He can mount springs and axles on a trailer before lunch, then install an entirely new brake system right after lunch, then spend the afternoon cruising around the water.

He told me "Changing your docking lights is easy! It took me about 20 minutes on one side, and after that only about 10 minutes on the other side". Really??

It took me two hours. That's why I tell Thunder, he is both inspirational and an antagonistic at the same time. Thunder I love you and hate you.

[thunder550]

YT!!! DUDE!!!! That's the spirit buddy! Fantastic job...that looks amazing Thanks for sharing pics while in progress too, I love seeing the "behind the scenes" pics that show how you did it. Only thing you're missing is one showing you all twisted up in a pretzel.



So you'd hire it out next time, I've had jobs that I finish and feel the same way. But tell me you're not proud of yourself and going to be a little bit excited to tell the story any time someone asks where you got the tower

That's why I tell Thunder, he is both inspirational and an antagonistic at the same time. Thunder I love you and hate you.

[AsLan7]

You are both inspirations to us "lay" people.

[Tuscany]

I go at to tell you, I admire your courage. That is NOT just a "job"' that's a major job. You are drilling permanent holes in an area that everyone will gather around. I also admire you for the fact that you know, no one will do it as perfect, or take the time to make sure the job is done right like the owner him/herself. Not knocking the techs out there, but it's not like changing spark plugs...

I bet you slept well after that one..

[Driller]

Looks great YT. Lots of satisfaction having completed it I bet. A really nice addition to your boat.

[Skiingstrongman]

Very cool. I wish I was that handy to do a good job. Great work!

[Ytmsn]

Thanks again y'all. And Thunder that picture hits the nail on the head!
Now, get in that position and reach out with one hand as far as you can... The back four bolts were easier to get to. That front one was a booger.

Last night I unwrapped one of the spars to install and decided it could wait until today. I went out this morning and it's sprinkling off and on, so I guess I'll be working on it again next weekend. I had plans on going to the lake but it'll be Easter weekend, so we'll have a big family feed here at the house now after Church. And that will give me more time to get the boat ready for the season.

I unwrapped the bimini and discovered it's black! Hopefully it just needs a good cleaning and it'll work. For some reason I was thinking jrcramer told me it was blue.

And the wrapping and packing job? He did incredible! I literally had a pick up bed full of bubble wrap, Styrofoam wrap and shrink wrap. Amazing job and much appreciated!

[jrcramer1]

that was a blast wrapping that thing so much. And yea you deff gotta bend in positions you didn’t know you could. It looks great. I’m glad it’s all coming together.

[liquid]

One of the things I worried about was the gunal being strong enough to support this beast. I had planned on holding off to the fall so my fiberglass guy could reinforce both sides, and then he was going to install it. But I got anxious!

After I drilled the first hole with Bbs fancysmancy bit I hit the steel plate. It pretty much burned it up because I didn't know that's what it was and kept pressing down. And drilling a 5/8ths hole into fiberglass makes a helluva mess..

Back down the ladder. Find a big bit with a small shank because all I had was a 3/8ths drill...

BB I used your bit for the initial hole. Then drilled a 1/4 inch pilot, then a 5/8ths.

All the holes got drilled and chamfered and it was time to set the tower. The hoist is manual and is geared VEry low so it takes forever. That's when I discovered I needed about 3 more inches in height. Crap. Lower it down and readjust..

The hoist was on rollers so moving it into place without dragging the bolts across the gelcoat or upholstery was a pain. Another person would had helped a ton. This part contributed to at least 30 trips up and down the ladder
20180324_130736.jpg

Once it was in place I had to lower it down. Of course the holes didn't line up perfectly so it needed a bit of persuasion even after triple checking everything. Grrr

I got the front bolts in, climbed into the hatch, bent in half and stretched out to the front bolt with a nut. It was a beotch. Have you ever seen that video of that guy that can fold himself into a suitcase? Imagine that same guy in a suitcase on the kitchen floor, then reaching up to set a cup of coffee on the counter. Or write his name on a tablet.

It took a loooong time, lower a bit, climb in, fold into thirds, put on washers and nuts, climb to the other side, fold into thirds, climb out, lower a bit... You get the idea.

Sooo, if anyone ever bas the bright idea of doing this again?
Don't. And if you do, hire it done. I swear I have such a new respect for these guys that work on boats everyday. How the hell they do what they do is beyond me.

I still have to finish it out and touch up the gelcoat in a few places. Was it worth it. Damm skippy!

I now has a Unicorn!

Holy crap what are you thinking!?!. That thing is enormous and ridiculously awkward. Everything on that boat is heavy. I forgot all about having the engine compartment up so you'd have to climb in the front. For those who have never been on one of these 62/63's - that engine compartment it heavy as f. Heavy enough to yank you around.

Man though does it look good. Nice packing and cleaning JR. Thing looks like a prehistoric moose rack back there.

I thought I told you it was black btw - I'm not so good with colors but I thought I said that.

Great job buddy. Im thrilled for you.