Smitten again

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by brushhippie

I went over and got to see it up close finally and I think its gonna work just fine...it is rough but she'll be a dandy when I finish Im gonna add a freshwater tank and I had thought about building a hardtop for it but maybe just the full size bimini like this one.

Ill have to build a dive platform for the stern also.

That's actually a navy top in the picture which attaches to top of windshield. Since top of windshield is about shoulder height when standing, you can't stand up under a navy top unless you have the original version that had a zippered hatch above the helm! A bimini top works much better, but you'll need a clear section between top and windshield to be able to run in the rain and stay dry! If you have the early style top mounts just above the gunnel like the one in your picture, you can brace the top off the windshield which will make it very rigid. A typical bimini that mounts on top of side windshield like they used on later models is very wobbly in the sideways direction!

If you have the galley seat, a 6 gallon jug will fit under it if you have a hatch in the back of it. Thought about building in a permanent tank, but a portable jug is more practical . . . easy to empty so critters don't grow in it, and easy to fill at a dock when there's no hose around!

Regarding the dive platform, I built one out of stainless tubing, teak planks and some SS bimini top fittings that folded up out of water, which allowed me to mount it right at the waterline. They're so easy to get on when mounted that low you don't really need a ladder, although I later added one for the gals to use. It was very light, worked very well for diving and was easily removable for fishing.