1984 V20 Upgrade Santa Barbara

[charlie_the_tuna]

where are your running lights??

 

[DustyCajun]

Thanks for the input guys, the boat has been great. Many coastal trips up the line from Santa Barbara with several overnighters to sit on the White Sea Bass bites.

We have been using the suction cup mounted LED running lights as all of the wiring was shot and ripped out. Another project

 

[reelapeelin]

Have not posted progress in a while. Installed a new Bimini Top

And a bow railing

With a new Windlass for the anchor

Added the rod boxes on the sides

And just put down a top coat on the deck. Still needs another coat.


The boat has been producing the fish.

Filling holes and painting up next after the summer season is over.

Brother I got friends here would cream their jeans over flounder like that...Holy Sheep Dip...

 

[bradford]

Floundazilla!

 

[DustyCajun]

Been away from this site for a while. Been working this winter on the 84 to get her ready for the Rock Fish opener, which in these parts is March 1. Took her out for a quick half day and found the rock fish with an added bonus of teaming schools of Bonito crashing bait and birds.



Also took the 84 on an overnighter up the line to Gaviota at then end of last year. Very comfy with 2 guys, one in the cuddy and one outside on the fold out.

The reel went screaming off at 4:00 AM with this toad White Sea Bass.


Will post pics of the boat progress once we get the cover off for the next trip.

 

[phatdaddy]

jeez, you are gonna slay some fish when you get it like u want it. nice job

we used to have huge schools of bonita, but never really fished for them, considered a trash fish, unfit to eat. kinda like bluefish, guys up on the east coast love them, down here they go in the crab traps. we eat a lot of mullet, but south of sarasota, they turn their nose up at them.

cool fish, nice job

 

[DustyCajun]

Pdaddy,

The only way to eat the Bonito is to:

Gill it, Gut it, Ice It, Filet it, and smoke it!



Old saying in Mexico: If it smells like Bonito, don't eat'o!

 

[phatdaddy]

making me hungry

 

[DustyCajun]

The fuel tank finally gave out. Yanked it to find holes in the side. Can't believe we didn't blow up!

Used Acetone to help strip the foam as recommended on another post.

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Used the diagram of the tank that was posted by Tal Willis to order a new tank from Moeller. Here are the specs for future reference.

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Doing some more upgrades while she is in dry dock.

 

[Greyduk]

What tank did you order from Moeller? Just one of their stock tanks?

 

[SkunkBoat]

we used to have huge schools of bonita, but never really fished for them, considered a trash fish, unfit to eat. kinda like bluefish, guys up on the east coast love them, down here they go in the crab traps.

Phat, those are Oceanic Bonito not Bonita (aka False Albacore/Little Tunny). Everyone agrees that bonita are bait but Bonito have lighter meat and are edible (not to my taste...). Bonito are toothy and have striped backs. Bonita have three dots on the belly and make great strip baits for flounder.

and Dusty, we need to see more fish pix of those West Coast doormats.

 

[SkunkBoat]

Used the diagram of the tank that was posted by Tal Willis to order a new tank from Moeller. Here are the specs for future reference.

Are they putting any baffles in the tank?

 

[DustyCajun]

What tank did you order from Moeller? Just one of their stock tanks?

The tank is a custom order replacement aluminum tank with blueprinted specs to match the existing tank.

 

[DustyCajun]

Are they putting any baffles in the tank?

As far as I know, there are no baffles in the tank. Did not seem to be an option on the Moeller order design page.

 

[DustyCajun]

.

and Dusty, we need to see more fish pix of those West Coast doormats.

SkunkBoat,

Here are a few photos from a trip we did on the V20 from the Goleta Pier boat hoist. Big Halibut and White Sea Bass on that one.

 

[DustyCajun]

As I mentioned before, we are doing some more upgrades while waiting for the new fuel tank to arrive. First and foremost is the new tower and top with rocket launchers, radar mount, and light mount. A great product from Fish On Arches.

Installed a new grab bar for the passenger seat.

And new support struts for the front windshield.

Still need to get her painted one of these days.

 

[DustyCajun]

Checking in again after getting the V20 out on the water with the new gear

Another photo of the new top


You can see the arch, rod holders, bimini top and bait tank in this shot.


New rod holders for bounce balling


Radar mount with a great light kit that illuminates the entire deck.


Here is a twist that has worked out great. Put hinges and a bar on the front sliding door so it can be opened up and locked when accessing the cabin. Left it open at night for fresh air while sleeping. It still slides when down. This has been great.


It still catching Halibut and Seabass.




Been on some overnighters with the new set up and it is running sweet. We get a lot of "Bad ***" comments at the harbor when she rolls out.

Next up a new power plant. Looking at a Honda 135. Thoughts?

 

[Greyduk]

DustyCajun, I was looking back at your info about replacing your fuel tank. Do you mind if I ask the cost. It may be a situation that I need to address. Thanks.

 

[bradford]

Badass fishing machine Dusty, I like it!

 

[Destroyer]

I love that front hatch idea with the hinges.. I need more info cause I have an anchor windlass I want to mount and yours looks near perfect. That arch is bada$$ all the way... what was the damage ($) on it if I can ask?