Photos (TRADITION gets hauled for new props and bottom paint)
(no login) Posted Jul 8, 2006 12:25 AM
Im changing out the shafts and cutlass bearings too, and will swap out a new transducer.
Well here's what the big problem was. I assembled all my parts, got the props, got the shaft stock in town, yadda yadda, and then I am informed the truck is broken. "The truck" is the red one on the left. It's a dual axle highway rig never really suited for this kind of work, and "someone" broke one of the axles. It is still drivable, and can launch, but it can't pull. So this brings truck number two into the picture (the white "yard dog" on the right).
I picked it up this morning, we pulled the red truck out, backed the white one in, drove the lift back into the water, pulled the ole Commander into the lift, and bingo!
Here's a photo of your forum moderator at the wheel of the yard dog. This thing wouldn't go over 40 mph, but it was rated to pull 85,000 pounds. It pulled the Commander with very much ease, and never broke into a sweat.
Once the boat was hauled and put into position on the yard, we disconnected the white truck, and put the red one back onto the lift. The white truck was then driven back to the rental location. It's like a bucking bronco, no rear springs! Here we are posing by the red truck, relatively pleased with ourselves so far!
You just can't find good help these days, and that's why having a Dad who is also an avid Commander boater (31 Sedan) really helps! Turn the guy loose with a power washer and things get done fast!
I think he was having so much fun, I would have had to pry that power washer out of his hands, and that's a lot easier said than done! That's Dr. Robert Pletcher, Phd, 31 Commander owner, and my Dad! This is the guy who got me started in boating!
And now the fun begins. Tomorrow morning bright and early, I'll start the sanding process, and will hopefully remove the props and shafts. At some point I'll start in on those pesky cutlass bearings too. I need to be back in the water for next week-end, and I'm anxious to try those big 4-blade props!
Regards, every bone in my body is sore right now, worked on the boat until 10PM, but hey, things could be worse!
