Motor Mount Work

Notice the concentration, the focus!

Today the weather was fine enough to get some work done on the Lido. As mentioned in a previous post there is a motor mount at the rear that begs for a bit of work. So in between graveyard shifts and questionable weather The Typesetter and myself tackled what we could.
The first order of business was to get the rotten piece of plywood off the back of the mount. This proved both more difficult and far easier then we were expecting. More difficult because the nuts holding the mount were well and truly seized. Far easier because instead of taking just the nut off The Typesetter ended up twisting the entire end of the bolt off. Then it was off to hardware store for replacement bolts as I had picked up the 3/4" plywood the day before.

Old on top. Notice the old bolt in the middle. Good thing we replaced that!

The work is designed to last a season until a more permanent solution can be found. But I think you'll agree it looks far better then what was on there originally and will do the job that is needed of it. Now on the rigging and trailer work and we'll be ready to hit big water in 2014.
On a final note, here is the spring newsletter for The Western Montana Home Built Boat Association.
 Spring Newsletter
"Hello fellow boat builders and sailors, founder here. It's been a rough winter here in Western Montana but there are undeniable signs of spring. Mainly that the calender says it's April! But with spring hopefully right around the corner that means we'll be on the water soon.
The WMHBBA has recently acquired a 1962 Lido 14 for the purposes of sail training. Although not made of wood this will be an excellent craft for members to refine their sailing skills. We'll keep you posted on training events, meetings and messabouts as the season gets underway.
One major change this year will be a water arrival and possible departure for the 3rd Annual Finley Point Messabout, held at Finley State Park on the shores of Flathead Lake. The Board is discussing sailing from Big Arm with the overnight itself at Finely or possibly the other way around.
I hope some of you are ready to tackle those spring boat chores. Repainting, new hardware, sanding, or the dozen other things that keep a wooden boat sailing every season.
This year look for WMHBBA tee-shirts and burgees as the season gets underway. Design and prices should be up by the messabout so you can show your WMHBBA pride. There may be a possibility of IP&NCo. gear as well. And we'll continue to provide the finest opportunities and resources to build and sail small wooden boats in Western Montana. That is our charter you know. And we'll even let those other small boats along for the ride because there is nothing, absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. So until next time keep your peak up! JDM-Founder"