I'm hoping that by me coming clean you guys can learn by my mistake so you do repeat it someday.

We've all bought things that as part of the directions they provide a template for proper alignment of holes/cuts.

I recently used a similar template for the boring of some holes in my transom.  I carefully marked by true vertical and true horizontal and used a pencil to mark those. I then carefully taped the supplied template using those lines to ensure that my alignment was spot on.

Took more measurements and when I was positive that all was in alignment, I bored my holes through my shiny transom.

Went to mount up the part and much to my dismay (read I was phuckin furious!!!) I found that the holes were in the wrong place.  Dropped the tool on the ground and walked out the garage....

After Jan completely emptied the garage of anything sharp, hid the dog so I couldnt kick it and called 911 so the SWAT team was standing by, I was allowed back in the garage to view the horror.

Quick measurements of the template found that instead of the 3" spacing as spelled out on the template, the template actually measured 3.4"....

Further inspection I found that this was likely not the manufacturer either but in fact the settings of the printer I used to print out the template. I've since printed it on 3 different printers at work and all came back with a different actual measurement. ........shit!

So, I would like to offer advice to all of you when using a supplied template. Please double check all measurements in advance and DO NOT assume that the measurements are correct like I did.

For those of you with strong stomachs I'll offer a picture of the carnage.....




I had one of the kids at work knock out in AutoCad a template that provided an additional 3/8" that I could have cut as a bezel and would cover the misalignment. Though it looked good, it was too much bulk for this little boat.



Here it is with at paper bezel to see what it'd look like........



Didnt like that so I tried to rotate it vertically and just use the misdrilled hole for my diverter cable support.....nah, I've worked too hard to keep things symetrical (sp?) and that wasnt gonna cut it.......  



So, after yapping with Cupcake (ie Tommy) we came up with a plan.....

Cut the cable support triangle portion off and then machine (read, belt sander cuz I don't got any fancy tools) it round to match the radius

Gentleman, we have a winner!!!!!!

Wow, Good save 

Wow, Good save 

X3

BTW, I like the way your "save" turned out better than the way it was designed to look. Excellant thinking!

Thanks guys. Just please promise me you'll double check templates BEFORE you cut/drill.   I never would a thunk I needed to but I've learned my lesson

Thanks guys. Just please promise me you'll double check templates BEFORE you cut/drill.   I never would a thunk I needed to but I've learned my lesson

Great advice there John.  Even check the templates that come preprinted for parts cutouts.  If it's a gasket that all you have, check that too.  Your best bet is to cut it out in cardboard and then make adjustments.  My wife frowns every time I grab a file folder as she knows it's going to turn into a lot of cut up pieces.  But the part (lights or whatever) fit when I get done and ready to cut on the boat.

Great save there John, and I think it looks better!

THE MOTOR WILL BE IN THE BOAT BY NOON TOMORROW!!!   Yes, I'm yelling cuz it's been a loooooong road to get to this point. 

There's a hotboat show this coming weekend that the peeps are headed to but I don't think I'll be anywhere ready......shit

awesome.....parker is the weekend after next ...have it ready then! 

Damn I thought you of all people would have their boat done by now...Your barge is damn good looking take your time, dont rush it and then run it down here!

While it's difficult to reach the keyboard (iff'n you know what I mean), I'll offer the following..........






Yah, the interior is a mess but I wanted to throw out a thanks to my son for polishin up the plates.  I was gonna roll the satin on the finish but he worked his ass off blingin out the plates.........thanks Ian (i.e. Punk Ass Kid)

You sir are to be congratulated.  That is coming out awesome.  Too bad you live in BFE

  You guys are not kidding, BFE is my mailing address and the artic north is our climate. Clouds cleared about 6pm just in time to make it cold this evening...I'm jones'n for some sun and warm.........

What I think is really cool is that John is building such a bad ass boat that he will never get to use because of his shitty weather, he will sit it for months making vroom vroom noises, that he will finally get fed up and put it up for sale. One of us will get a kick ass boat that we got to see everything on the rebuild!

Thanks John for building one of us a damn good looking, kick ass boat! Have you thought of a selling price yet?

What I think is really cool is that John is building such a bad ass boat that he will never get to use because of his shitty weather, he will sit it for months making vroom vroom noises, that he will finally get fed up and put it up for sale. One of us will get a kick ass boat that we got to see everything on the rebuild!

Thanks John for building one of us a damn good looking, kick ass boat! Have you thought of a selling price yet?

You know, you're prolly not far from the truth.......hell, I've had the coupe for over 20 years and still don't like driving it. It's been thru so many different versions and I've just decided that messing with it blows my skirt up.........so I keep it for my family instead......  I know, lame huh.

Hey John....finish it and drive the hell out of it!

Oh yah, we're gonna run it for sure and thanks