Minimost XL modifications

[randyt]

A bit of a update on my Minimost XL project. Over my Xmas vacation back home I spent 9 of the 10 days in my buddies boat shop working on the 12 gallon under deck tank install as well as the transom modification for the Johnson 50 upgrade and a gauge package for the dash. I subbed out the upholstery job as I could not compete with the price and have no clue how to do that sort of thing. When I get back to the boat for my summer vacation we plan on a small lexan wind screen and a redo of the rear hatch cover and  painting the transom as the only remaining item on our to do list. I'm trying to post some photos of the work but for some reason I am not able to attach them at the moment. I'll keep working on it . Well the pics are starting to post but I have no idea why the first two are sideways . They wern't that way when i attached them LOL

[seattle smitty]

I particularly like the optimism indicated by your guage selection!!

Beautiful job, Roger!

[rogerduncan100]

This is Randy's boat, not mine.

[rogerduncan100]

So Randy, looks like as you ride around in your Minimost XL you will be very much in the lap of luxury.

[58 Johnson]

I agree... that is some crazy good looking cockpit!  Congratulations.  Good on you. 

[randyt]

So Randy, looks like as you ride around in your Minimost XL you will be very much in the lap of luxury.

Well Its a upgrade from the original seats but a good bit. I never noticed until I started improving other aspects of the boat but I guess that is how these projects go , chasing away the weakest link Here is what they looked like before.

[randyt]

I particularly like the optimism indicated by your guage selection!!

Beautiful job, Roger!

I've always liked to know whats going on behind the scenes as it were and I have to admit the 160 mph speedometer is a bit optimistic but it will be fun to see the looks on little kids faces when they ask how fast it is . I am a fan of gauges I guess you could say as this is what my other toy looks like . I must have been a fighter pilot in a former life

[rogerduncan100]

Hey Randy, do you have a guage to keep track of your guages?

[randyt]

Hey Randy, do you have a guage to keep track of your guages?

I have them numbered and I have a guide taped to the dash
We used the car as a R&D mule for Mimi Cooper aftermarket parts and all those gauges come into play at different times . I just never bothered to take them out when we were done with that program .

[seattle smitty]

Roger, the next thing you'll see in Randy's (I say RANDY's) flea is a glass cockpit, plus he will have to have the helmet with the heads-up display, same deal in the Mini.

And maybe a wet bar?  Yeah, I can see Randy and Roger idling past each other out on the water at the next Fleafest in all their upholstered comfort, with one calling out, "Would you have any Gray-Poupon?," and the other replying, "But of course!"

[58 Johnson]

... mais oui!!  Touché!!   

[randyt]

Roger, the next thing you'll see in Randy's (I say RANDY's) flea is a glass cockpit, plus he will have to have the helmet with the heads-up display, same deal in the Mini.

And maybe a wet bar?  Yeah, I can see Randy and Roger idling past each other out on the water at the next Fleafest in all their upholstered comfort, with one calling out, "Would you have any Gray-Poupon?," and the other replying, "But of course!"

The heads up display is not a bad idea Actually the only add on left on the list is a small lexan wind screen to keep the water splashing on the deck from running back and landing in the laps of the riders.  After that is just going to be the tuning and set up process to get it to run as best it can. All part of the fun with our toys . The hard part for me is being 3500 miles away and other than the ten days over Xmas where we did the transom and tank mod I've had to supervise and research everything from afar . Out of curiosity does anyone have anyu idea when the Minimost XL plans were first published , even a ball park would be good to know ?

[randyt]

Well the paint modified transom is complete and has been painted as well as the hatch and the next stop is the outboard shop for a general spring tune up on the motor and we are getting close . I low lexan windscreen is most likely the last major item and after that it will be the test and tune process to get the boat to handle as best we can . That will take up a lot of my 8 week visit but I am looking forward to that part of the process .

[randyt]

Well today we finished up this round at the boat shop and its next stop is the engine specialist for a spring tune up and check over . There are a few minor things left to tackle but the big things on the check list are done .

[seattle smitty]

Anybody taking their engine in to a dealer for a tune-up/check-up should ask for the full-throttle rpm figure for it, as a target to shoot for when trying props.  Write down the lower unit gear ratio so you know what the propeller rpm should be.  See if they have a prop chart for the motor, listing the range of props covering both big, heavily-loaded boats and lightweight fleas.  Ask if there's a local prop expert.

And make sure they lube the lower unit.