Wellcraft Nova undergoes a conversion from Sterndrive to Outboard.

[OFFSHORE GINGER]

Joe , how is your wife doing , and how are you ?

[hemi2005]

Very impressive work, sir!

[Smoking Joe]

Joe , how is your wife doing , and how are you ?

Gidday OG. Well all but wound my marine business up. We have a Montessori Preschool which my wife runs/ran. We are right in the middle of expanding it, selling existing properties and buy more dirt to build a larger purpose built centre. We are past the point of no return so I need to progress this. My wife starts radiation and chemo treatment tomorrow. I hope the new centre will give her a focus and another reason to beat this thing. My hope is to have some me time to continue my work on this project. Thanks for asking, I appreciate it.

[Smoking Joe]

Wish you and Mrs Joe the best. I hope that you two are getting through the medical problems. Prayers sent. Rob

Thanks Rob, appreciate the thought.

[Smoking Joe]

Today I removed the engine and jack plate for the last time. It is now shrink wrapped and will be stored till final rigging. So now it is final external fairing ready for painting. I have moved the post on the trailer forward and moved the boat 19 1/4 inches further forward on the trailer. Looks way better on the trailer and I have gained more room in the shed. Nice to have a bit of MY time.

[hemi2005]

It's nice to hear that you got a little time to work on it. I'm keeping you and your family in my daily prayers.

[Smoking Joe]

It's nice to hear that you got a little time to work on it. I'm keeping you and your family in my daily prayers.

Thanks mate, all prayers greatfully received. Right now it is the only boat building work I am doing and then only occasionally, still keen to see it completed.

[Smoking Joe]

Today my son Blair showed me a new "race" read Poker Run being set up by NZ Offshore Racing to be run in early December, 2013. It is to be run over three days in open ocean off the east coast of the North Island, NZ. It will be limited to boats over 19.5ft, capable of plus 50mph and no closed canopies.

So we are going to push forward and see if we can get to a point that we can run in it with the Nova.

Please note that I have accrued considerable brownie points with she who must be obeyed and have her blessing.

[twokoop]

I was told my "prototype"hull was converted to outboard.One problem I had with my setup was porpusing until I tilted my trim tabs down more to compensate .but now I think I have created more drag..I have 9"set back.I'm in the process of putting a 2.4BP on.I had a 175 BMax on it and 60mph was about it..I'll try and send some pics.I have some questions

[Smoking Joe]

I was told my "prototype"hull was converted to outboard.One problem I had with my setup was porpusing until I tilted my trim tabs down more to compensate .but now I think I have created more drag..I have 9"set back.I'm in the process of putting a 2.4BP on.I had a 175 BMax on it and 60mph was about it..I'll try and send some pics.I have some questions

I would suggest you run a thread of your own, you will get a better range of suggestions. I believe your problems can probably be reduced with experimentation of your setup. Photo's will help for sure. Suggest you just bolt up the BP and give it a go. More speed could help..........

[hemi2005]

We're anxious to see her in the water too! Don't forget the pics. I'm glad to hear that your getting more accomplished on it. Sounds like you may have her in the water in a few months?...Keeping you in prayers brother.

[Smoking Joe]

Started into the dash area. From this








to this

The black area shown fronts the cabin. None of these sections were glued all just screwed. I have glue coved to the hull side and then taped with double bias. Also other joins have now been glued, coved and taped.

We have removed the windscreen. The aluminium frames all need replacement rubbers to contain the glass, which may or may not be available locally. I am tempted to rebuild the screen with timber and re use the existing glass. We will see. I have removed a section on the right of the dash which also located the surface mount control for the Mercruiser. We will be using a side mount control and foot throttle. I plan to move the helm seat to centre on the new dash.

If we get the boat finished in time for the poker run I will build a lightweight section to replace the screen and give some protection. This will save considerable weight.

Its nice to see progress.

[hemi2005]

I had no idea that you were going to rework the dash as well. That is going to be one very solid boat when it's complete.

[Smoking Joe]

I had no idea that you were going to rework the dash as well. That is going to be one very solid boat when it's complete.

No room for the foot throttle, or the Garmin 750S sounder/plotter so I decided to deal to the dash at the same time. It shouldn't take too many hours. I will take the windscreen over to my glass guy next week to see about replacing the rubbers.

With the work I normally do I do tend to err on the "over built" side because weight is generally not such an issue as it is with trailer boats.

[Greg G]

Tremendous work on the dash. Neat, clean and VERY nicely laid out.