2021 Adventure 208 Build

Koakine88

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Finished the install of the Gemlux Bluewater HD swivel 0 degree rod holders. These rod holders will be used to fight fish from the gunwale. I’m planning on eventually installing the Gemlux Deluxe outrigger system, but may wait a few months for that.

I originally wanted to just replace the factory holders with these gemlux, but got ”lazy” as enlarging a pre-existing hole is harder than just drilling a new hole. I figured 8 gunwale rod holder is better than 4. I positioned the HD holders 1 foot forward of the factory ones. You can see the weak mounting of the factory holders, I have ordered tigriss backing plates for the factory holders so straight butts could be used in a pinch (with lower drag).

Biggest problem I faced was the lack of room under the gunwale. The gemlux backing plates are too wide and I trimmed one but it wasn’t enough without sacrificing it’s holding power. I decided to trim a notch into the inward part of the gunwale to allow for the backing plate to rest flat. I sealed the area exposed with 3M 5200 and used an excessive amount of 3M 4000 on the hole cutout and under the rod holder cap for water tight integrity. My gunwale on the starboard side has a more defined curve that made the outboard side of the rod holders to have a little more of a gap than I wanted. I was able to get one almost perfect, but the other no matter what I did, still had a slight gap. I used extra 3M 4000 on that holder and will monitor it. When installing the nuts, a lot of excess 3M made it into the threads which will act as a sort of thread lock.

You can see the size difference between factory and HD holders. As well as my fancy custom rod leashes to protect my pretty new Avet 80w and 50w’s. I went with Pinnacle Marine for the rods.

Bottom picture is a cut out of the gunwale, before even using my boat (weather) I’m already cutting big holes. I was somewhat surprised to find wood in the gunwale. I know this is only a 20’ boat, but I thought I bought a Grady-White, not a Bayliner.

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TJM

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Nice job on the rod holders. I'm also surprised to see wood in the gunwale, I was told all composite as of 2016. I finalized my order on the same boat today with a May delivery. Gonna be a long winter waiting.
 

glacierbaze

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I believe that if I had known what a piss poor job Grady had done on the factory rod holders, I would have used those holes for my Gemlux, even if it was some work, and re-installed the factory rod holders in a proper cut out. GW should send you some free backing plates for that mess.
I'll have to check mine next time at the coast.
Ocdansar's install shows the difference in gunnel composition.

 
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Koakine88

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I believe that if I had known what a piss poor job Grady had done on the factory rod holders, I would have used those holes for my Gemlux, even if it was some work, and re-installed the factory rod holders in a proper cut out. GW should send you some free backing plates for that mess.
I'll have to check mine next time at the coast.
Ocdansar's install shows the difference in gunnel composition.


I am honestly not terribly impressed with the build quality on a near $100k boat. Before I even put it in the water I’m going to be doing some more work, I don’t like the gaps in fiberglass you can see where the factory holders are. I think I’ll spend another day off with 3M 5200 sealing everything that looks like it could introduce moisture into that wood. I plan on keeping my boat for 20 years, having it last that long begins on day 1.

I’ve also applied a layer of waterproof grease on every non-aluminum component on my trailer and am working on adding electrical corrosion preventer on all exposed connections/ fuse blocks. I live about 100 feet from the Ocean and even though my Grady has an oceanfront view, the salt spray in the air (especially in the winter) means that I need to be extra precautious.

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Koakine88

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Finished the install of a wireless cell phone charger and upgrading the USB charging port. These pictures also show off the flush mount that the dealership’s electronics guy used to install the 942xs+. While I had the panels off, I also installed a waterproof ethernet cable to link the CL7 display. The result is a dual screen set up that is very capable.

I am a huge fan of the Digital throttle, it feels smooth as butter but I may tighten it up a little as I’m sure on choppy days I’m going to be bumping that thing all over.

I did use a small piece of scrap black starboard from another project to gap out the cell phone charger since the factory plate is recessed a bit. My previous boat had a dreadfully slow charging rate, i’d be listening to music and my phone would slowly drain even while charging. Testing this one out, it definitely keeps up playing music and even running the Garmin companion app.

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Parthery

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I too am looking for a wireless charger that can keep up. That one is pricey though at $100+ on Amazon. Curious how well it works.
 
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TJM

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The electronics look excellent. Nice use of the space. Where did you get the flush panel? That's exactly what I plan on doing with mine. Thanks
 
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trapper

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Koakin, she is a beauty!!! Just wondering how much extension do you get with the sliding hitch?
 

Koakine88

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I too am looking for a wireless charger that can keep up. That one is pricey though at $100+ on Amazon. Curious how well it works.

I was able to get it from the GPS Store for under $100 I believe. The strength of it is worth it. It’s a very strong phone holder/ charger that I think will last a while.
 

Koakine88

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The electronics look excellent. Nice use of the space. Where did you get the flush panel? That's exactly what I plan on doing with mine. Thanks

Unfortunately I do not have the source for the flush panel, that’s something I didn’t do myself. I saw a YouTube video of the same boat with one and mentioned it to the dealer for electronics install. Their electronics guy was able to source it while they waited for my boat. It’s just carbon fiber look abs panel, nothing too fancy.
 

Koakine88

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Koakin, she is a beauty!!! Just wondering how much extension do you get with the sliding hitch?

It’s just a 4’ extension. Hawaii has some unique ocean conditions that finds it’s way to the ramps, and some ramps are not very good and you have to go pretty deep. It’s common for people to have 7’ or longer sliding tongues here. Luckily the harbor I use isn’t too bad with the exception of swell surge in the winter months.

I did remove the sliding tongue to minimize corrosion on it. I just greased the hell out of it and put it in my shed, i’ll pop it on when I plan on running to another harbor on the island.
 

Fishtales

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Electronic and rod holder installs are top notch. Nice work.

I think GW is a bit slippery in their advertising. No wood in transom and no wood stringers is what I believe. Decks other pieces may still have wood - maybe because it is structurally sounder. Even if that is the case, other builders find a way to eliminate wood - why not GW? I'd like GW to be more transparent in this space and if I were to buy a new boat, I would have list of questions to be addressed prior to the order.
 

Fishtales

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One area to spend some time reviewing is the deck/hull joint at the transom. Maybe investigate having it glassed if you need to. I'm planning to do this on my boat over the winter.
 

Koakine88

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Does Gemlux sell/loan you a tool for the large nut on the underside? Looks like a large basin wrench might work.

It was $100 for the tool, they would refund if you return it. I am going to keep it to tighten if any get loose over time.
 

Fishtales

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Adding a thread locker or something like Hylomar Blue might allow you to return it.
 

Koakine88

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Finished coating the electronics and removed the leftover tape residue on the hull from the plastic wrap (huge pain).

Going to take her our for her maiden voyage later today. Going to likely be a little choppy with the trades we have, which is fine because I’ll have to keep her under 2,000 rpm’s for a bit.

Below is the super cheesy but functional ”welcome mat”. Then my stereo, which is the New Soundboks. I was beginning to plan for a full audio install, I have experience installing them on cars but the price for how I want to do it was getting excessive with a ton of extra work. The New Soundboks goes up to 120 decibels, has extra battery packs, and I don’t have to worry about draining my batteries. It fit perfectly in the cubby in front of the head. You can hear it clearly with the hatch open or closed. I can move it around if at anchor and put it in the cockpit if spending a night.

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Ky Grady

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I'm sure you're excited to take it out. Post up some pics and your thoughts after you get back.
 

trapper

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Gotta love the look of a new GW, all shiny, buffed, polished, no scratches, no blood stains, just waiting to get wet!! Enjoy!!