Spring commissioning 2016 projects for the Megabyte

[Megabyte]

Since I am in the process of moving from Annapolis MD to Lewes DE, my annual spring commissioning thread might be a bit different this year.
The boat is still wrapped and in storage in the BOE Marine lot in Stevensville MD, and will remain there until the bottom is painted, the motor serviced, and the boat is washed and waxed before transport to Lewes.

I'm opening this thread to show what I'm working on, and will provide updates until the boat goes into her new wet slip in Pilottown Marina in Lewes DE.

Here is how she sits now...

 

[Megabyte]

This project has taken me the past 2 days to complete.
Rod storage in the new garage.

Most of my LTJ (spinning) gear is still stored on the boat. Better there than trying to move them in the Jeep, or with a mover.
The spinners, my micro-light rigs, and a lot of tackle and safety gear are in the pilothouse, but I needed a place to store my surf rods, trolling rigs, and a couple of bait slingers in the new garage.

Started out using some 2x4 lumber I had on hand, and ran that across the bottom of the wall above the foundation.
Then I took some 1.5" PVC and cut it into 12" lengths to hold the rods.
Drilled the mounting holes using a jig (for consistency), then opened the front hole with a Uni-bit to allow me to use drywall screws to attach everything.

Spacing the PVC 6 3/4" on center proved to be the best spacing to allow clearance for each of the reels.
The PVC was then attached to the 2x4's. Including the 6-rod commercially built holder that I had in my previous garage.
I now have room for 26 fishing rods that are finally stored properly.

If anyone would like further details on how I fabricated these, just let me know.

BTW - As the season progresses from trolling to LTJ, to bait, to surf fishing, the rack that I fabricated for the Jeep will be my transport method.

 

[shawnee83]

Looks good Kevin. I like your style as you are meticulous in everything you do. So you ended up in Lewes, DE. I was under the impression you were heading somewhere south of MD? Anyway, congrats on the new place and I'm sure you will enjoy fishing the Delaware bay. Both of my parents grew up on the Delaware north of Philly. I'm familiar with south Jersey etc.. I brought mine home to Winston Salem this winter to work on and although I have made some progress the house has taken up more of my time than I wanted. Trying to install shore power and a Webasco AC/Heat system and a battery charger. Almost over my head :shock: . Good luck with your move.

 

[Megabyte]

Thanks brother. I try.

My favorite spot was Wrightsville Beach, but the Admiral liked Lewes.
I'm good with that.
Lots to do here and I can fish DE Bay if I turn to port, or the Atlantic if I turn to starboard.

And... lunch in Cape May is just a boat ride away. :wink:

 

[Lucky John]

You will have a shot at the drum bite in April/May. Also a good run to canyon and mid shore Bluefin grounds from there. Good luck with your move.

 

[warthog5]

I was thinking of you on the 2nd of this month. My sob Brad and I were scurrying around the boat all day... Cleaning and waxing.

Sunday morning the 3rd... We were Cobia Fishing. No fish seen.

 

[Megabyte]

The weather here has been crazy.
70 degrees one day and 34 the next with rain and high winds.
Add to that that the boat is 80 miles away and it is making it tough to get prepared this year.

Plenty to do otherwise though so until I can put together the pieces, first fish might be a little later this year than normal. :|

 

[gw204]

I hope you smoothed out the cuts on the pvc and wet sanded/polished those to a mirror finish. If not, get back to work. You aren't done yet... :wink:

 

[Megabyte]

Sanded everything smooth... yes.
Wet sanded... no. 8)

On the calendar for BOE Marine to paint the bottom with Pettit Hydrocoat.
Once that is done, the motor will be serviced by my local Yamaha mechanic, then I can begin detailing before transport.

 

[Megabyte]

Well my last post was some time back and a lot has happened since then.

Home in Annapolis has been sold.
Home in Lewes has been moved into, and a mountain of work has been done, with another mountain of work still to be done.

I contracted with a local marina to go up to Stevensville to the BOE Marine lot to pick up the Megabyte on their hydraulic trailer, and bring her here to Lewes.
That move was an adventure in itself.
The marina's trailer suffered two flat tires and sunk into a soft shoulder and had to be towed out.
No damage to the boat, but I doubt the marina made any money on this move.

The move was on the 16th, and today we splashed her and got her into her new wet slip.

First item of note... Annapolis has wind, and I've learned to deal with that.
Lewes has wind and fast current. I need to learn to deal with that.

Totally different setup in the new slip, so many of my lines are either too long, too short, or my dockside anchor points are nonexistent (starboard side rear).
I'll go back down tomorrow and figure it all out, but I think she is good for the night.

The boat is filthy, filthy, filthy. :shock:
There will be much effort tomorrow scrubbing her clean.

 

[shawnee83]

Kevin, I think filthy to you is spotless to most others. New home looks nice. Best of luck.

 

[johnkn]

Congrats on the move. I know that's a huge relief and good that it's behind you. Looks like a quality slip. Slip appears narrow for your boat but probably just the angle of the pics. Keep up with the thread, great to see your progress. We'll be standing by for the fishing report.

 

[Megabyte]

Slip is a bit tighter than I would like, but it's the largest one(s) that they have in this particular marina.
Just bought my boat fishing license today, so once I have her the way I want her, we will see what the Bay and the ocean have to offer.

 

[Luv2fish]

The boat is filthy, filthy, filthy. :shock:
There will be much effort tomorrow scrubbing her clean.

I was thinking about you the other day. Since I retired I vowed that I would clean my boat Megabyte clean! I've been working at it a little bit at a time and refuse to put it in the water until I get a great coat of wax on it and completely buffed out. Hope to finish this week. You sir have set a new standard of clean!

Steve

 

[Megabyte]

Lines tidied up today and a gross decon performed.
Going to have to monitor the lines and adjust as needed, but I think I am close.

 

[johnkn]

WHAT? no fish blood on the deck? :wink: Always takes a few tweaks to get the lines just right, then you're good to go. good luck

 

[shawnee83]

Looks like you are dealing with about a 3.5 to 4.5 tide swing? That can be a little challenging on the line sets for sure. By the end of the week you will have it dialed in.

 

[Megabyte]

Looks like you are dealing with about a 3.5 to 4.5 tide swing? That can be a little challenging on the line sets for sure. By the end of the week you will have it dialed in.

It's hard to tell, but that could be close.
Unfortunately we have one of those super moon events this weekend (and a coastal storm) so it should be interesting.

 

[Megabyte]

Spent a good part of the day working on systems and watching the tide change while adjusting lines.
I have an aluminum boarding ladder on the starboard side and a piling close to port.
Trying to keep both at bay, and have seemed to do so today.

 

[Megabyte]

The marina has a 'slide system' for lines which allows your lines to ride the tide.
Looks like about 90% of the people use the slide rings, so I'm debating using them too.

My bow and spring lines are up high, so fluctuations in the tide are not an issue, but the slide system is interesting.
I might switch to it after the coastal storm passes this weekend.
Just need a day where the winds lay down and the tide is high do I can pull the boat forward and reach everything.

Stay tuned...