The Gathering 4

We just returned from The Gathering of homebuilt boats. What a great time. 40 boats and over 100 people all enjoying 4 days of living on floating cabins with our boats right outside our doorstep at the dock.

Here is the link to my pictures of the event.

http://picasaweb.google.com/vupilot/Gathering2010#

Build Video

I compressed the entire build into a 3 minute video set to the music of Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson's "Boats to Build"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NloZdG4OMSQ

Launched!

This morning we launched our "First Born". It was a very successful launch.
We need to use the next farther out hole on the motor tilt pin next time and I need to adjust the trailer bunks forward mounts to give the boat a higher pitch angle so it goes on and off the trailer easier.

Runs great, rides great. I'm very pleased with it.
Video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzY6QjOQcCA

Almost...

Almost Launched today. By the time I got the registration numbers and name from the sign company then applied them, the wife was just getting home from work. We got everything loaded in the car then we couldnt find the adapter for the trailer lights for her Jeep. We finally got on the road at 5:40. Then 10 min later I realized I forgot the expiration/state sticker that goes next to the registration numbers. Went back home and realized we would only have about 20 min of good picture taking light by the time we got to the water, 40 min away. So we called my buddy Scott who was going to take the pictures and video for us and we canceled. Next try will be saturday morning. Weather forecast is good, the morning light will be great for pictures and we wont be rushed.

CONTSTRUCTION COMPLETE!

Today I declare construction of the Zip complete. 732 hours, April 27, 2009--Sept 13, 2010.
For all the detailed photos go to
http://picasaweb.google.com/vupilot/ChrisGlenLZipBuild?authkey=Gv1sRgCPX_t-O0x7SvsQE#

Registration complete!

The boat registration/title paperwork is complete. The sign company is printing my boats name and registration numbers but likely wont finish before closing today.

By the end of the weekend I should be done with everything on the boat except the name/registration decals. If the numbers were printed today I would have rushed to get on the water this weekend. I'll just enjoy the weekend and get everything done nice and tidy.

I received the HIN number from the BMV headquarters today. It now must be "engraved or embossed" to the exterior starboard transom and a police officer must certify it is applied in a "workman-like manner". Then I go pay my $63.02 in taxes they say are due and a 15$ title fee and I assume I will be done. With luck I might get this done tomorrow (friday) before the weekend.

I have re-installed the deck hardware and am going to install the seats, rubrail, etc this fri/sat. With luck I might be ready and legal by saturday but Im not so sure the legal part will be ready. Depends on if my cop buddy can make a stop by friday morning.

Its Alive!

Mounted the motor and ran it. It runs, steers and shifts. The motor is completely installed now.
Video of it running here... just copy and paste the link in a new window.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZoOoVNAk4U

Upholstery done

Picked up the boat from the upholstery shop friday afternoon, The results speak for themselves. Bill at www.indycovers.com did a great job turning the idea in my head into reality, perfectly.

Getting there,

Alrighty, its September and things need to come together fast if I am going to be running at the Gathering or else I'll be watching from the dock.
The boat registration paperwork is filed and paid. Just waiting on the numbers from the BMV headquarters which should take a week or so. The gal at the BMV wasnt sure so I called the DNR to see if I could use the registration paperwork and receipt as legal proof the boat has been registered. He said "technically no" I should have asked the punishment if I did run it. I got the feeling if I had my papers in hand they would be OK with that but the letter of the law says otherwise. Dont know if Ill risk it until I know the punishment. It shouldnt take but a week or so for the assigned numbers to come in.

I then stopped by the upholstery shop to see if there was a chance it would be ready early. It will be, it will be ready this friday by closing time

Here is a cell phone pic of the backseat so far only the bottom and side panels are done but the seat back is just foam at this point.
Hopefully, I can get the motor installed, steering and running by this weekend.