Let the Rebuild Begin

[Jamesdean]

Yep sure did, Due to the state of Texas not reducing my child support when I came out of truck driving for three years, then not transfering the case back to the state it originated in, (Va.) so it could be sent to Florida when I moved to help my sister with her ailing husband (ahlzheimers), I was falling behind over 1000.00 a month in child support. Even though i tried over 27 times to get it reduced and then later transfered, they put me behind. Since that time I have gotten it reduced and actually made significant headway on reducing it. But according to the IRS the Senate made no stipulation that parents who owe back child support should get the stimulas check, we don't and it goes to the parent with the child, while those that owe back state and or federal taxes get theirs...now don't get me wrong, yes I owe back child support, but think of that Jerry Reed song.
Now if you owe less than 1200.00 back child support you'll get the differance, owe more and you get squat...
Yet my son and her was getting money directly from Soc. Sec. for my disability plus my child support, yet the direct check she never reported to child support enforcement in Va, where my child support check was supposed to go then to her, a check she wouldn't have gotten if it were not for my disability, she failed to report as income, failed to inform the child enforcement people about so it wasn't deducted from what I owed...hence I still owe...and get nothing now...

[Jamesdean]

Well a bit of an update. My closed end rivets came in the mail during a down poor yesterday, as did my MOB kill switch for the motor. Should have the starter kit on it's way no later than the third. Tomorrow supposed to be sunny and warm so if everything goes right, I will have the side deck supports in place. Will need to get me some more aluminum to finish the framing for the Casting deck, get the plywood, epoxy, and carpet. get that installed then I can get the nose piece finished and trolling motor mounted. Hopefully it hits the water before summer is over...Thanks for following along. Any ideas or comments welcome. Tight lines and full livewells to you...

[Special K]

Looking good brother. I'm sorry to hear about the stimulus check setback too... as I know how handy those bucks would have been for renovating your ride.
I'm on the last leg of gettin' my new ride ready for the summer bass and crappie fishin', but I'm really lookin' most forward to the fall crappie fishin' season.
Keep up the good work and please keep us informed on your progress. I'm lookin' forward to seeing the end product.

[Jamesdean]

Special K, I'm with you, I've been known to trot on down to the lake with snow on the ground. Granted I wasn't there for very long, but I went anyway. But I try, and you don't find what works or don't work by sitting on the couch so to speak...I do need to find me a winter set up I'm comfortable in, not binding, that will stop the knife the wind be totting in the winter though, as it cuts straight to the bone...

[Jamesdean]

KokomoTerror, yes it's going to get covered with a non-skid type material, but one of the main reasons for the larger piece up there is so I have a place to mount the Trolling motor. That small little nose guard, I guess you could call it, Isn't big enough to get three bolts in If I'm that lucky...So the extension...

[skunked again]

For the winter gear, I've had luck with wearing the breathable, long sleeved shirts (like you wear in summer) with a sweatshirt over them. Then put heavy, breathable, raingear over that.
While in Bosnia, we wore the moisture wicking "long johns", with goretex rain gear over them. 90% of the time, that did the trick. Until they made us stop wearing the goretex all the time.

[Jamesdean]

And thank you for your service skunked again. they were just coming out with the Gore Tex when I got out, I think all they had then that we could wear was a hooded pullover with like 1/4 zipper in the front. You could get it at clothing sales, but wasn't something you had to have. I know it was expensive though, even back then.

[skunked again]

They had just started issuing it. The expense is why they made us quit wearing it.

[Jamesdean]

Yep, They sure aren't cheap fore sure...Back when, I took a Wet weather Parka and a poncho liner, both bought at the clothing store, and make a lining for it and sew it in. Wasn't very breathable like the Gore Tex, but was waterproof, and kept the windchill out as well. Wore it almost exclusively out in the field except in the freezing cold winters in Germany...I would do something like that now but for the life of me I can't find a wet weather parka in 3xl...

[Jamesdean]

Well, It was a very nice day yesterday, and I got a little done on the boat. I got the 23" piece of aluminum sheeting put on and riveted in place. still nee to put the front deck support bracket in place so I can put the deck in.
probably get that done in the next week or so. I found and ordered a complete starter kit, (all used parts, of coarse), for the ole '61 Evinrude and almost got it put in. I have a couple things yet to do, then that will be done...yea!!!!. But here is what it looks like right now... Looking closely at that last picture, I may end up having to drop the top of the transom down an inch or so...
Starter is in, and so is the coil. I hit a snag on installing the starter safety switch. I found where I need to install it, but nothing was lining up. The switch itself is on the wrong side of the bracket for my motor and not lined up with anything. So I'm going to switch it to the other side and see if it lines up, if not, I'm just going to say to heck with it and bypass it all together. Just have to make REAL SURE that the engine is in neutral before bumping it over. Also have the man over board kill switch to install, the starter switch and the battery cables. Plan on getting on this around 8am, as it's mom's day and don't want to wake the elderly folks in the neighbor hood...They still upset after I started beating on the original nose piece yesterday with a dead blow hammer yesterday at 7am...i told them I waited two hours after I was ready to start as it was, quit sleeping your life away. They didn't like it too much. Well. I got two more cups of coffee to drink before I can get started.

Once I get the casting deck on the front done, I want to paint an accent color above the splash rail there on the out side prior to putting the registration numbers and decal on. Then paint the trailer to match which ever color I decide to paint that accent color. I found a shop here in town and got a couple goodies for the trailer too. Still looking for a tire mount for the spare, and have not decided where I'm going to put it yet...
Well that's where I'm at on the rebuild to the moment. Eric AKA Jamesdean.