SS Liar's Club, revisited

[New River Rat]

This is going to be a multi-part post on my part. I just ain't got it in me to do it all at once. So.....

I had Jim take down the thread on my build because botophuket thought that they owned my (our) pics. Well, seems now with their new ownership, my move was in vain. I apologize to anyone that posted on that thread that I asked Jim to delete.

So, I’m going to post this for anyone that might be interested. This is the build of the SS Liars Club II. There have been changes made to her over the years, and I honestly believe she really is a never-ending project.

Bought a barebones 1664 (anywhere else it is a 1648) Polar Kraft in 2012 (I think).


First thing she needed was a deck extension. Went to the local machine shop and had that, and more, done.



Also needed a light, quiet, non-slip floor. Used the blue closed cell foam, covered by the rubber roofing material, followed by a paint and sand mixture.

 

[Scrapper]

Quick question. Do you have trouble with the rubber floor moving around?

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[New River Rat]

Quick question. Do you have trouble with the rubber floor moving around?

No, it was epoxied to the foam and seal around the edge. I'm real close to applying a bed-liner surface now, if I can find an O.D. color.

 

[New River Rat]

I actually gotten ahead of myself. I bought a 1997 25 HP Johnson that was married to a couple other boats. I had the aforementioned machine shop build a lower unit protector of my design from 304 stainless. The river is a harsh environment.

 

[toot]

I actually gotten ahead of myself. I bought a 1997 25 HP Johnson that was married to a couple other boats. I had the aforementioned machine shop build a lower unit protector of my design from 304 stainless. The river is a harsh environment.

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Looks good! You should go into production and or patent this devise.

 

[New River Rat]

Looks good! You should go into production and or patent this devise.

I'm about the only dinosaur/endangered species prop proponent left on the river. Everyone else thinks that a jet is the answer. Let them think that......I'm good. I actually developed this about the onset of jet popularity took off. Kinda like trying to market a Chinese abacus in a computer store.

 

[jethro]

The problem with jets as I see it are you need more hp to achieve the same performance. And with that comes more cost. So if you are thrifty at all, the prop protector is the way to go so you can use a cheaper powerplant. But it's hard to deny that if money isn't a factor then a jet would be better in the river.

Anyway, back on topic, I am amazed by your floor. I didn't know you could even do that and make it look so good. Do you worry the seams on the edges will start to separate from use? Because right now it looks seemless.

 

[New River Rat]

I didn't know you could even do that and make it look so good. Do you worry the seams on the edges will start to separate from use? Because right now it looks seemless.

Well, thanks, but it is separated from the sides. No biggie, just patina.....



This ain’t in chronological order, but close. Swapped 12” wheel/tire



For 13’s.

 

[gatorglenn]

Looks good. Iam worried though. Does your trailer bunks extend back, to support the transom? If not you could put a hook in the bottom of the boat. Which will create a problem with drag and porpoising. Don’t ask how I know lol


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[New River Rat]

I typed a reply yesterday, but must have not posted it.

When I bought the boat, the trailer was thrown in, but it was the wrong one for the boat. I removed the tongue from the body and moved it forward, and braced the area.

 

[New River Rat]

I made side bunks from old flat steel I had lying around. The bunks are composite balusters, screwed together from the bottom and bolted to the steel. The bolt heads are countersunk.


Pedestal.....nothing fancy here, just pretty straight forward install.

 

[New River Rat]

Installed an anchor winch.





Anchor consists of old chain and a window weight.

 

[New River Rat]

I haven't forgotten, just kinda busy.....I'll get back to this thread soon.