Kat-a-Log

[katfish]

I have started the facelift on the Catfish Queen.
Trim is all off the deck. All but 2 bolts off the rails.
Enclosure removed. New decking primered and painted.
New hardware bought and ready.

I will remove rails and old decking soon. Then check
control cables and replace steering cable and see
how far forward I can move steering console.

Remove Captains chair and take measurements for
new seating. Build and install custom lounge seats.

If I have time and money I may paint Alum panelling
on outside before re install. I am almost certain my
wife wants everything scarlet and gray.

All volunteers are welcome
_________________
Catchabiggun,
Robby

[M.Magis]

Should look nice. How will you do the seats? You thinking of moving everything forward a bit? I’ll be available to help if I can get my project done before Christmas break is over. That’s a big question now, re-facing cabinets looks a lot easier than it turns out to be.

[katfish]

This will give you an idea of the configuration now.



Remove rails bimini top, seats, trim.



Remove deck





I now have the first sheet of deck back on and quit for the day. I want to pick up silicone caulking to put between sheets before installing other sheets of deck.
_________________
Catchabiggun,
Robby

[M.Magis]

How many hooks, jigs, and bobbers did you find?

[CC]

looking good

[katfish]

New deck on. Primered and painted with 2 coats then a coat of Tuff
coat topside to make cat slime wash off easily.


Install rear and side aluminum trim.
Cut 1/4 spacers to allow water to wash under rails. Put on railings
and found bolts now too short.



The cabin was flush with the rear of the deck before rebuild. This
pic shows cabin forward 50 inches or so.



Tomorrow will extend battery cables to install battery forward of
steering console. Fab some aluminum corners for deck and reinforce
the very front of deck.

I ordered upholstery and foam for new seats. May pick up
wood and stainless staples tomorrow.

After double checking with Ministry of Finance I will probably
order LED nav lights.
_________________
Catchabiggun,
Robby

[katfish]

Got wood for seats. Cut plywood to size and started 2x2 frames.
Got splices for battery cable to extend them and move battery foward of steering console. Got cable clamps and tie wraps for wiring. Got Buckeye Gray paint for seats (couldn't get scarlet in exterior latex).

Picked up bolts for rails and installed. Will continue work after getting new steering cable or when foam and upholstery arrive.
_________________
Catchabiggun,
Robby

[M.Magis]

Looks good. Looks like you should be able to take the steel bar off the front. Should be easier to fish off the boat now.

[katfish]

Mmagis
Remember the last deck I got a drill driver? I just got a
router to round corners on the wood for seats

When I removed the iron bar I noticed the deck overhangs
the last strut by 18 inches so I made a support for the very
front before putting the alum trim back on.

My heat shrink was too small diameter to cover splice to extend
battery cables. Too cold for paint to set up on wood for boat seats.

Shopping now for Scarlet 20" flashing to replace cab aluminum.
If I have to paint I won't replace the existing Alum.

Ordered LED navigation lights. Going to replace existing switches
with lighted switches. Boat parts open at Marietta tomorrow so I
will see if they have a steering cable 2-3 ft longer.

Ministry of finance has not started complaining yet so I may
have a few driftmaster rod holders in my future.
_________________
Catchabiggun,
Robby

[CC]

how far did u you move the controls up? It dont look like much.
Looking good. Did you put coating on the under side? Make sure you use marine grade wire for nav lights. And heat shrink sealant for connections. Make life easier for the repairs.

well i guess i shouldve read earlier post. lol. cant wait to see it.

You just need some new rods!

[katfish]

Richard told me he was orderring me 5 new rods for Christmas.

The steering panel with controls moved forward 50 inches. There
is enough control cables but I have to buy a new steering cable.

Wood on the deck is primerred and 2 coats of paint. Top of deck
also has another coat of Tuff Coat.

I just found the correct size shrink tubing for battery cables to
extend them and put battery in front of steering console. I already
had cable clamps and wire ties to secure wires over the pontoons.

Tonight I used router to round all sharp edges on wood for seats. Built
the smaller seat and frame.40 x 30x 20 high. I left the paint in the
garage so it was frozen. I will thaw it out but doubt it will be any good.

I underestimated how many 2 x 2 I would need for seat frames.
I changed my idea of making them and needed 6 or 8 more 8 footers.
If I can find alum flashing in Scarlet or Gray I will replace around cab.
If not I will mask off all the cab and paint what is already on it.

I have a couple of yards of maroon upholstery and plan on using it
to trim the top of the aluminum so no one can get cut on it. I have
no definate plans for back cushions but I know I will have foam and
upholstery left over.

I have plenty of other ideas but plan on getting everything functional first.
_________________
Catchabiggun,
Robby

[katfish]

Finished framing the seats. New framing not painted but all other
wood has 2 coats of scarlet. After upholstery none of this will be
visible but the paint will serve as waterproofing the wood.


About 20 inches of the backs will be visible after gray upholstery. I
am planning a 3 inch wide gray stripe around the visible part
of the backs.



Maybe a decal or two on the seat backs.
_________________
Catchabiggun,
Robby

[katfish]

Upholstered seat cushions today. This is the side seat. Cushion for
rear lounge is on the floor while I wait on paint to dry on the
base. Installed the steering console and ran the motor control cables and put controls on side of console.




Masked off a stripe on the backs. Gray stripe will go along the
scarlet backs.
_________________
Catchabiggun,
Robby

[De§perado™]

Looks awesome!
_________________
On a real quiet night, You can hear the catfish laughing at me!

[M.Magis]

Sure is looking good. The Queen is going to look so different you’ll be able to fish “incognito” for the first few months of the season. The copycats won’t know who to follow around.