BigBendFishing.Net

What a day! I left the house and put in at The Lighthouse about 1000 this morning. The sky was clearing and things looked good. BUT as soon as I passed the bird rack it got rough. 2 to 3 at my honey hole. Fished a jig for 30 minutes and got 1 bite, then my steering froze up. It was time to work my way back in. The motor would travel about half of the turn arc. It took an hour to get back to the lighthouse. Loaded up, came home, and immediately started removing the steering. The cable wouldn't retract enough to come through the tilt tube. I had to cut it out. In the process of removing the helm i discovered the plywood backing in the console was rotton. Wound up making a console overlay out of 3/4" Star Board. Looks funny, but it works. After 4 hours of slow work I have replaced my steering today. YA GOTTA LOVE A BOAT!

TC , I got tired just reading how jour day went. hopefully tommorow will be better.

Good morning TC,

What is your source for Star Board? I know that West Marine carries it , but do you have a source that would be more economical? I don't suppose you throw away any little pieces or cut outs do ya...

The piece I had was used as a cutting board, and was given to me. I understand that either RMS or Avery Marine carries it. I had very little scrap from the one I cut yesterday.

Hey SR,
Marine Liquidators(spelling?) in Perry used to carry it. They sell surplus boat equipment bought from folks going out of business and such. Don't know the price. I don't think it's going to be cheap anywhere.

Good morning CS,

I appreciate the suggestion. Just to satisfy my interest I did a little search and found the phone # for Marine Liquidators in Perry, (850) 223-3213 in case anyone else is interested. They have both 1/2 and 3/4 Starboard. They sell it by the pound. $2.75 for 1/2 inch and $3.00 for the 3/4. West Marine will sell a 24" X 27" piece of 3/4 inch for $80. According to the shipping weight its rated at 11 lbs. If we can rely on that # it would mean that the same piece could be purchased in Perry for $33. Not a bad savings if the numbers prove out.

I ask ML if they had a web site and they said "not yet". I talked with they for a bit and they had everything I ask for in stock and the price was immediately available. Thanks again to CS and this group You folks are handy'r than pockets on a shirt!!