Capt. Jim Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Just about 3 hours ago, I sat down at the computer to try to find a place on the web that had something to do with the older Hewes boats. I couldn't believe it when I found this forum. I have been reading and looking at everyones SWEET boats for all of those three hours... Good Job Maverick Boats for putting up a Vintage Hewes forum. On to my boat, it's a 17'6" staight transom model. Does that make it a Bonefisher? I took my friends 2001 Redfisher out late last year and decided I had to have one... After reading posts here and looking at the great pictures, I'm so glad I got a Vintage Hewes. The "Restification" has already begun. Actually, it started about an hour after I bought it. I drove down to Sarasota from North Orlando to pick it up, and was very scared of the trailer it was sitting on. When I bought it, the owner told me the trailer seen in the picture is not the trailer that goes with it... I had no idea he was gonna put it on a toothpick with peas for wheels. I drove 4 miles at 25 mph, praying the entire way to a trailer store, and bought a new trailer. So I drove home with my new Hewes!!! HHoorraayy for me... It came with a 120 Johnson, but I have a 140 Johnson that only has 40 hrs on a rebuild, so I'm going back with that... I got it home, and wheels in my brain started turning. I made a list of everything I wanted to change/update in the "Restification", and off to the Surplus stores I went. God I love those places... I bought a new Center Console, new top mount control box with integrated tilt/trim, Hydraulic Steering setup, all new Gaffrig Guages, VHF, CD/MP3 Radio with 4 speakers, new Switch panel, new "recessed" nav lights, some lights for use in the cockpit area that are now mounted to the new console, new recessed cleats, new power pole, new motor guide digital trolling motor with Wireless control, spools of wire to re-wire the entire boat, and other things I can't remember this late at night. Last weekend I completely disasembled the boat, with the exception of the top deck. As of right how, it's standing on it's port side, with the stbd belly primed and ready for paint. I'm hoping I can get this done in a month or so, I'm gonna devote a lot of time to it... I used the word "Restification" above, because I am going to change a couple of things that make it easier for my wife and kids to fish from. They often go with me on my inshore trips. I'll post more pics as I take them... I will also be updating my website, http://www.flatcrazy.com with the Hewes stuff when I get time. There is nothing on there now, but keep checking back. I enjoy all types of Saltwater fishing as I also have an older Wellcraft Scarab Sport with twin 225 Johnson's. You can check that site out at http://www.scarabsport.com Anyway, thanks for letting me join, and sharing my p***ion for my Hewes... Jim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidmotion Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 welcome! and good luck with the buid. be sure to keep posting photos! there is a wealth of information on this website, and plenty of good advice from many smart folks. you will grow to like the boat, and the forum! what kind of changes are you thinking of making? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestFoto Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 It is good to see others with Old, er I mean Vintage Hewes. As you can see in my sig I also have a 1981 Hewes. Very good riding rig, you will love it. What are you plans? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Jim Posted July 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Thanks for the Welcomes... First off, I have completed the setup on a new more modern looking console with front seat. Here are the pictures of that. I think I'm gonna flush the front deck, and replace the original gas tank with a 36 gal tank that was given to me. The tank is new, and has never been used... I like being in the boat getting where I'm going almost as much as fishing, so the extra gas will come in handy. I also Premix my oil for the boat. I don't trust the VRO's on the old Johnsons. I haven't made up my mind about the back of the boat yet. I don't really like the "sunken" deck look, I like it smooth across the top. I guess there were a few years of the Vintage boats that came that way, I really like it. I have a polling platform to install, as well as a jack plate that I've been using on my B*** boat to fish the flats now. B*** boat fishes okay, but certainly not shallow enough... By the way, is my boat truely a "Bonefisher?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestFoto Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 from the look of the outside of the hull it looks like it. Lets see some more photos of the boat to make sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slyshon Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 Great work on the console but why all the gauges? I've seen 747 consoles that are less busy! Skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Jim Posted July 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 For an answer on the guages, I'd have to blame my marine mechanic... He also services the 225's that are on my Offshore Scarab, and he insists that I have all of the following... Tach, MPH, Volt, Water Pressure, Temp... The Trim/Tilt, Hour Meter, and Fuel guage are on me... I can't disagree with him. He does great work, and I guess being informed of everything that's going on with your engine is not a bad thing... I'll post more pics of the boat, headed out now to take some... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Jim Posted July 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 Okay guys, here are some more pictures of the boat standing up in my shop. With the crapy weather here in Orlando, it's good that I have somewhere to keep it to work on it... They look kinda funny standing on their side don't they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidmotion Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 very cool, indeed.... i like the vintage looking guages! this should be an interesting project to follow.....very cool boat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Jim Posted July 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 Thanks squid. I'm looking forward to getting this going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poleposition Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 This is a great concept for a reality show I too am looking forward to following this! There is something noble about restoring a cl***ic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidmotion Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 lol... or a sitcom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmoose Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 Where in orlando are you? I currently have a 72', and would love to see your boat come together. Here is a pic of mine. http://www.maverickboats.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/19507/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Jim Posted August 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 You guys are right on a TV show... John Graviscus move over, Hewes guys are coming to town. That's a sweet 72', I live up in Apopka, usually take 46 over to Titusville to fish. I can't wait to stop fishing my B*** Boat, and start in the Hewes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Jim Posted November 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 So I've finally got some time to work on my poor neglected craft, so I've been doing some sanding... If you guys will remember some of the previous pictures where I had the boat sitting on it's port side in my shop. Well I decided that wasn't the best way to do any work. I got it outside and on it's deck, then back on the trailer supported by 2x4's. After about 6 hours of some serious 1-on-1 time with a DA sander and some 80 Grit, I was ready to prime. These pictures are after 2 coats of primer, and first sand with 220 paper. I have a couple of small nicks to work on, then it's final primer and wetsand with 400, then paint. I can't believe this thing is about to get paint. For those who haven't ever "restored" or "restified" a boat, this is a great feeling... So now I just have to decide a color. I'm going to do it like the newer boats, bottom of the hull white, then lapstrakes in color... It's awful hard not to paint it Orange and then have a big UT logo on the boat... HA! I know you Florida guys are going to kill me for that, but can't help it... Talk to you guys later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidmotion Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 coming along nicely! keep us posted with more photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulligan Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Looking good. Can not wait to see the paint. I always wanted to see color on the lapstacke with white bottom. Keep the pics coming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Jim Posted November 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 I decided on a color today. I just couldn't resist... Tennessee Orange - GO VOLS! Anyway, I will be priming the boat with the final primer coat tomorrow, and wetsanding... What a way to spend your birthday... I've given some thought to "raising" the front and back decks making them even with the top cap. Essentially gl***ing it in, making it one piece like the newer Hewes. What does everyone think about that? I like the "smoothness" of the newer style decks. TTYL, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Jim Posted November 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 C'mon, noone has Gator jokes for me??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidmotion Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 heheh i thought when you said 'UT orange' ..... university of texas.... :blush: doh! man, i have been in texas toooo long. making the decks even would be cool, since you already have that spiffy new console.....but i also like that cl***ic look of the step down..kinda says 'cl***ic bonefisher' also keeps the fly-line in the boat..... why not a mix? keep the stepped deck, but make all flush hatches for everything, and gl*** everything with modern gel-coat and the nonskid pattern of the newer models.....hmmmmm. it's all good! just my .02! either way, i bet it's gonna be some work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Jim Posted November 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Something to think about anyway... I do have a problem with my hatch and surrounding gl*** on my forward compartment. Maybe I'll just do the front, and not the back. Hey, do you know where I can get some of those "Live Wells" to bolt on the back of the boat on the sides. Seems most of these boats had/have them, but if mine did, they are long gone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Jim Posted November 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 Hey Squid. What does this hull number mean to you? RGLF1368M81G Thanks, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarpon Terry Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 It is going to add some weight if you do that. If it's not critical, then you have only lost the pure cl***ic design of the boat. But, then, so what! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet Man Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 lol...or a sitcom! dark comedy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidmotion Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 Hey Squid. What does this hull number mean to you?RGLF1368M81G Thanks, Jim hmmmmm... you got me on that one.....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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