New To Me 180 Sportsman

[gmundy456]

Just bought my first Grady recently. '98 180 Sportsman with 130 Yamaha 2 stroke. Few things that need to be done to her but think she will make a fine boat. List of things to do for now: new trailer wiring, new gauges, bow light, reupholstery, new tilt/trim end cap seals. Really wanna add a VHF to her in the near future as well. Any tips from any Sportsman/Fisherman owners out there? Plan on fishing the Pamlico river area this summer. Will try to post some progress pics in the coming weeks/months.

 

[Cregan13]

Congrats! Catch 'em up and enjoy the new rig!

 

[seasick]

There will be lots to look into. Just prioritize. A radio is really a necessity should you run into trouble. A handheld is better than nothing and there is no labor needed..
It's hard to tell for sure but there seems to be a rust stain at one of the starboard rail struts. To fix correctly you should at a minimum remove the mounting screws/bolts ( there may be bolts with backing washers and nuts, you have to look. Remount after squeezing a good dab of 4200 into the holes and some on the bolt thread. The rust probably will come off easily hopefully. The rust means there is moisture under the flange causing the stainless to rust.

Regarding the wiring on the trailer. Get a kit with all fixtures and new wire end to end. Use the old wire to pull either a drag line cord through or the new wires themselves. Get some adhesive lined heat shrinkable connectors and a decent crimping pliers. You need to keep water out of the connectors. Home Depot carries some of the adhesive lined butt connectors at a decent price or if you are going to be doing boat wiring, get an assorted kit.

Be safe and good luck with her.

 

[Fishtales]

Ensure your safety gear is all present and up to date. A PLB is a decent add for a smaller boat. Definitely assemble a ditch bag as well. I like a tub or two of Stay Afloat and some cork pegs just in case.

 

[gmundy456]

There will be lots to look into. Just prioritize. A radio is really a necessity should you run into trouble. A handheld is better than nothing and there is no labor needed.

Regarding the wiring on the trailer. Get a kit with all fixtures and new wire end to end. Use the old wire to pull either a drag line cord through or the new wires themselves. Get some adhesive lined heat shrinkable connectors and a decent crimping pliers. You need to keep water out of the connectors. Home Depot carries some of the adhesive lined butt connectors at a decent price or if you are going to be doing boat wiring, get an assorted

Trailer wiring ended up being a cinch. It had been rewired professionally about 2 yrs ago. Initially the turn signals and running lights would work but when the brakes were applied they would go off. Ended up trouble shooting it and the problem was corrosion on the back lights ground wires. Scraped them clean and everything started working.

Good point on the handheld VHF. Will probably go for that. Know they are line of sight but what do you think the avg range of a good one is? I will prob also invest in a PLB like Fishtales mentioned at some point.

 

[gmundy456]

Finally got a chance to wash/wax the mini Grady. Wax job was by hand and could def use an electric buffer to shine it up some more but a lot better than she was. Getting closer to the start of the season.

 

[Fishtales]

I have a Porter Cable 7424 orbital polisher. Got the pads and base from the chemical guys on the web. Velcro them on and off. Works great.