Shamster Posted June 7, 2010 Posted June 7, 2010 I've been in the process of restoring a 1975 wellcraft Airslot 165 now for a while. Well the deck and transom are finally finished and I have the 2 back to back seats installed. I'm still waiting on the rest of the seats to come back from the upholstery shop to install them. I took the boat out fishing for the first time by myself this evening! I had so much fun I can't even explain it. I feel so lucky to not be stuck on the shore anymore. Here's how it went! The engine is running great, but I'm going to have the carbs rebuilt and the impeller changed for peace of mind. The last owner was a bit of a dirt bag when it came to maintenance in general. The boat was falling apart when I got it, but now its not looking 1/2 bad! Quote
Super User K_Mac Posted June 7, 2010 Super User Posted June 7, 2010 Way to go. 8-) Having your own boat is a joyful thing! Quote
Super User Grey Wolf Posted June 7, 2010 Super User Posted June 7, 2010 Congrats. on your maiden voyage and first fish !!!!!!!!!!! Quote
Super User bassfisherjk Posted June 7, 2010 Super User Posted June 7, 2010 That's Great! Way to go. Quote
Super User Crestliner2008 Posted June 7, 2010 Super User Posted June 7, 2010 Congratulations! It's always best when you've worked at something really hard and had it pay off for you. Quote
Shamster Posted June 7, 2010 Author Posted June 7, 2010 Congratulations! It's always best when you've worked at something really hard and had it pay off for you. Yeah. I've been slaving away on this boat for many hours a day now for about a month. I should have it 100% finished by this weekend and I'll post some before/after pictures Quote
b.Lee Posted June 7, 2010 Posted June 7, 2010 I love hearing these types of stories! Congrats on the semi almost new rig Quote
Shamster Posted June 7, 2010 Author Posted June 7, 2010 Here are some before pictures(it was way worse than it even looks in these) This is about where I'm at now. I'll have the rest of the seats and trim installed hopefully by this weekend. The original "deck" was just a piece of plywood overtop the rotted deck with carpet on it. The transom was completely shot and I can't believe the engine was still hanging on. Now it's a nice new coosa board transom with a fiberglass deck! I'll post final pictures next week. Quote
DRhodes Posted June 7, 2010 Posted June 7, 2010 Anxious to see the pics, congrats on the first fish outta the boat. Quote
Shamster Posted June 7, 2010 Author Posted June 7, 2010 This is how it sits for fishing at the moment(snagged my 2nd bass today in it!) Its a bit naked still, but almost ready to be finished up! Quote
BASSINATORBIGJOE Posted June 8, 2010 Posted June 8, 2010 LOOKS LIKE LOTS OF ROOM IN YOUR NEW BOAT. I REMEMBER MY FIRST BOAT. I WAS SO PROUD OF THAT BOAT AND STILL REMEMBER THE FIRST FISH THAT WAS CAUGHT OUT OF IT. CONGRATS. Quote
Shamster Posted June 8, 2010 Author Posted June 8, 2010 LOOKS LIKE LOTS OF ROOM IN YOUR NEW BOAT. I REMEMBER MY FIRST BOAT. I WAS SO PROUD OF THAT BOAT AND STILL REMEMBER THE FIRST FISH THAT WAS CAUGHT OUT OF IT. CONGRATS. I really like the setup so far. I feel like I have more than plenty room to comfortably fish any direction off of the boat and its still really comfortable for 6 people to ride in(although a bit crowded). I originally bought the boat for tubing/skiing/wake boarding, but I will probably fish out of it more often than any of those, but I have to be able to do those to really enjoy the boat! Its a tri-hull so its really pretty stable for walking around on while fishing as well. Quote
shootermcbob Posted June 12, 2010 Posted June 12, 2010 Congratulations on your 1st boat, and also congrats on your 1st two fish from the boat. Quote
lsufan334 Posted June 12, 2010 Posted June 12, 2010 Where is that lake located in the fist pic??? It looks alot like the dam at Lake Tallocco @ Ft. Rucker. Quote
Shamster Posted June 13, 2010 Author Posted June 13, 2010 Where is that lake located in the fist pic??? It looks alot like the dam at Lake Tallocco @ Ft. Rucker. Right on the money. I'm in flight school here. You live in the area? I'm pretty new to fishing, and am just learning the basics, but I go fishing on Tholocco probably 4+ times a week on average. Just took the boat to get the impeller changed and some other minor work, but should be back on the water by wednesday this week. I want to take a trip to Eufala sometime later this year. I still haven't caught a bass over 2lbs in the lake here, but I'm getting closer! Probably caught about 18 bass so far since I started learning a few weeks ago. I'm still using super cheap wal-mart rods. Quote
lsufan334 Posted June 13, 2010 Posted June 13, 2010 I have been there a few times being in a club and tholloco not being in the mix i dont get to fish it as much as i would like. I still try to make a couple trips a year though. Its just a real pain getting on post sometimes. I have caught some really nice fish there though two or theree 4-5lbs and i caught a 6 there lastyear. There is a ditch line about 10-15 ft from the dam it drops a good 8ft and runs the length of the dam. We have caught some really nice fish there. and of course the grass. 3/4 oz tungsten weight and a good flipping hook and some space monkeys and u are in business. Just punch that thick grass and hold on. Hope this helps u fill the boat full. Quote
Big-O Posted June 13, 2010 Posted June 13, 2010 Very Nice Rig Now And I bet you'll have many great fishing trips in it too Taking pride in your boat and keeping it in top condition makes every fishing experience a little more fun. And congratulations on that first catch Big O www.ragetail.com Quote
Shamster Posted June 13, 2010 Author Posted June 13, 2010 I have been there a few times being in a club and tholloco not being in the mix i dont get to fish it as much as i would like. I still try to make a couple trips a year though. Its just a real pain getting on post sometimes. I have caught some really nice fish there though two or theree 4-5lbs and i caught a 6 there lastyear. There is a ditch line about 10-15 ft from the dam it drops a good 8ft and runs the length of the dam. We have caught some really nice fish there. and of course the grass. 3/4 oz tungsten weight and a good flipping hook and some space monkeys and u are in business. Just punch that thick grass and hold on. Hope this helps u fill the boat full. If you are EVER in the area, let me know. I can meet you off post and it makes coming on post a piece of cake and we can take my boat out. I would love to have someone show me the ropes so I can learn how to find and fish bass a little better. I live about 3 minutes from Tholocco, so I'm there preeeetty regularly Quote
Shamster Posted June 18, 2010 Author Posted June 18, 2010 My first top water fish! x 2! I didn't have my scale with me, I left it on my boat and was out with a buddy. The first fish pictured was on a top water frog, 2nd one was on a clear tiny torpedo just as it got dark. 1 dink, these 2 guys, and one that broke my line(bad knot). Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Quote
DRhodes Posted June 21, 2010 Posted June 21, 2010 Looks like you guys are having a great time on the boat. BTW you did a great job on it. Derek Quote
Shamster Posted June 22, 2010 Author Posted June 22, 2010 Thank you! I finished it this past weekend! I got to take the family out tubing/knee boarding and we had a blast. It was really great to finally see all the hard work(and money!) come together for the whole family to enjoy. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Finished product! Quote
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