I'm really glad I didn't get to know EZ before he achieved Geezer status
I don't think I could have kept up with him 15 years back.
Took off to the EZ skunkworks with the family and the Basscat and made it to Gene's about 10 AM. He worked from....I'm guessing about 5 that AM till I got there, then till 6:20 on the dot designing, fabricating and installing my rod transport racks. Heck, he didn't even take a lunch break, but was gracious enough not to make fun of me when I claimed to be hungry (when I really just wanted to sit down) and let me take off with Is and the boys to get something to eat.
When I got back, he was still at it. The complication and all the extra time came in from the fact that on my boat, there's no way to mount his standard bases to the floor. They had to be mounted to the gunnel. Once we figured out how it should be and where it should be, he made everything up and we bolted the rear only to realize that the fiberglass flexed too much and it needed a brace....back to skunk works again and he came up with a small brace from the outside, with a compound curve and angle that would have taken a mortal machinist about 2 weeks to make. Put it in place and now there's less movement than the normal floor plates.
Also got a short tour of the facilities....I'll bet Boeing and Northrip Grumman have fewer prototypes than EZ does. Every corner, nook and crany is stuffed with projects, ideas and one of a kinds. I was tempted to do a photo essay on the place and post all his secrets but was worried he'd think I was goofing off instead of working.
Not only that, but Maj came over about 4 and lend me his capable hands with a transducer run for my flasher and helped with the final installation of the holder bases as EZ had to make a quick get away to pick up his wife.
Thanks Gene! They turned out better than I hoped for and I had a blast visiting with you. And thanks to Maj as well. Would have had to of left before completing the install without you and I was getting so frustrated with that dang transducer run I was about ready to drill 2" holes every 12" to get it through there.
The man at work. He didn't really look that surprised all day though.
http://img.tapatalk.com/a6890f7b-4823-6220.jpg
Finished product
http://img.tapatalk.com/a6890f7b-485c-2629.jpg
Rear custom base
http://img.tapatalk.com/a6890f7b-487c-d085.jpg
Front custom base
http://img.tapatalk.com/a6890f7b-4898-fef9.jpg
Wannabe...
