Hello,so after looking at Ti's for about 3 years AND pouring through the threads here, i pulled the trigger in April.
got on craigslist prior to purchase and got some racks. at the time i refused to buy another boat trailer.
after a 4 hr. drive down and loading it up at the dealership, i knew i was going to have to buy a trailer.
I had already created a list of how I wanted the ti set up..on the drive back home stopped and picked up a garmin 74sv. now i have owned boats before but never had a gps or fish/depth finder. but i wanted to be able to not just see where i am but also to map out areas. i absolutely love the screen size due to my eyes.
mounted it in the rear cockpit, and again from doing hours of reading here, i used Duct Seal to mount the TD in the bow. ended up taking 2 sticks (2lbs.)
then i did the unthinkable.......
a nice hole in a brand new hull, i couldn't believe what i had done. with switch panel in and fused, moved on to where to put the huge battery....
i know it is pretty ghetto, but after dry fitting the battery in the hull, i seen i needed some kind of pad/bed so that the weight would distribute evenly in the hull and not have pressure points.
reason for the big batt is to be able to be out multiple days with means to run gps, charge rechargeable lanterns, portable speakers, music, etc...
i dont have longevity expectations with this batt but i figured it should do in the beginning.
and to keep SOME form of charge being fed back in as well as a trickle while sitting in the driveway, i installed a little 15watt .9A solar panel.
the hakas are not the best species of wood i know, but it was the best i could afford and find near here. they are white oak with 4 coats of rusteoleum spar varnish. The black haka slats are just an ebony stain.
initially the plan was to break up the wood color and add some color into the mix. Since the sail and hulls have some blue, i was going to dye the middle haka slats with Transtint blue, but i ran out midway and decided i wanted a little more subtle secondary color, so i chose black.
Next up was an engine. I was floored when i seen a fellow floridians twin honda ti, so i settled with just a single suzuki. now i have read that i shouldnt mount it this way but me being not to bright and stubborn, well...you see
mixed feelings about this mount, not sure what i will do. i think eventually i will either do some kind of internal reinforcing of the holder tubes, or a new mount from scratch, or maybe mod the current one and add in some top bracing , jury still out.
next on my wish list was some form of shade in from the fl heat....a VERY quick CL search and a 10 minute drive and i had a NIB 4 bow bimini 91"-96" x 8'
installed easily, 2 holes in each haka, secured with hitch pins, and a Nite Ize cam jam on the corners of each ama.
unfortunately the bimini has to be removed/installed each time launching due to width but after a couple outings with it, i am totally pleased and glad to have the shade.
as for lighting since i like to be out at night...just a cheap led up front, and a visapro for an all around
i seem to keep drilling holes...
got a 4lb anchor and well since i have a grade5 a/c i used a trailer crank and mounted it on the motor mount.
ugh, not a good pic but you get the idea.
first shake down outing.....
and out camping...
more to come later....haven't even gotten to sail it yet, just been peddaling and motoring in the lagoon mainly.