Rebuild of the "Paddy Caddy"

got2fishsd · Jun-08-2008, 10:07 PM

The last two weeks have been a little busy.
Started with these:

Then moved on to the new project. The "Paddy Caddy"
got her home and pulled the center console because under the plywood had dryrotted out after 20 years.Kind of had to see from the pic:

Since I was already this deep into it I might as well pull the wiring and clean it all up:

Now that I am this deep into it I think I need more room for storing short lobster and halibut so out comes the foam and add a few piano hinges on the ass end of this thing for dry boxes:

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I got the new plywood in. I am waiting for the hurculiner on the floor and the new lowrance 527 for the dash. Sould be ready to win the Stop,Drop and Reel next weekend. As soon as its done I will add some pics. If anybody has any questions let me know. By no means an expert but I did learn a thing or two.

fishstick-er · Jun-08-2008, 10:16 PM

So you removed the flotation? Buy a good life vest and an EPIRB.

deb0650 · Jun-09-2008, 09:16 AM

Reminds me of my first boat, a Gregor 14 with a side console. I knew nothing about boats at the time and wanted one to explore Baja. I bought it used with a Johnson 35. It was a rocket. I thought the storage was great because the previous owner removed ALL of the foam under the seats and made it all storage. Man, I could stuff that boat full. Anyways, took my 12-year old brother to Punta Chivato for my first trip. Got lost around the corner from Bahia Concepcion and was running out of gas. Found a mexican on a beach with a panga and gas, bought five gallons to make it back to camp. As I'm racing back to camp I notice all these cracks around the support braces, and they were getting worse by the minute (big seas). Ended up making it back and then on the drive home the friggin axle broke off the trailer and trashed the boat/outboard. I left it there on the side of the road between Guerrero Negro and LA Bay, many years ago. As I look back on that piece of crap, I realize how lucky I was with my little bro not to sink the damn thing. It would have gone down like a rock. It had absolutely no floatation. Moral of the story, be careful with the floatation.

got2fishsd · Jun-09-2008, 02:17 PM

Is that little bit of foam in the rear going to keep this boat a float if I tip it over?

fishstick-er · Jun-09-2008, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by got2fishsd

Is that little bit of foam in the rear going to keep this boat a float if I tip it over?

Yep. That is why there are weight and horsepower limitations. That boat is engineered to float in an emergency. At first my response was a bit (maybe a lot) smart assed. Now I realize you do not realize the consequences. Be safe and put it back in some shape or form. May be able to use some sort of expanding foam material in a different location? Under a seat? Along the gunnels?

**PHOTOG** · Jun-09-2008, 04:45 PM

Yep, 2 part expanding foam in a cavity will do, make sure you dont use too much or in a sealed area as it will burst seams.

mongo75 · Jun-10-2008, 12:02 PM

You can also put a bunch of tightly sealed water or soda bottles into empty cavities, and then shoot it full of foam in a can. The foam in the can may not be closed cell (not sure) but either way its just there to keep the bottles from rattling around, and they will offer great flotation. Or you can spend a bunch on 2-part. Do what you feel ok with, safety and budget wise