Thread: Updating and Upgrading My Skeeter F-80 Strada

Here are a couple of pictures of how the carpet job came out under the console. I need to trim the vertical edge in the second picture but I'm having a bit of trouble getting in the tight spot to do it.



After stripping the front and livewell hatches of their old carpet I realized the aluminum looked sad. It had some kind of finish on it that was 1/2 gone. I decided to prep and paint both frames with black rattle can epoxy just to clean them up.



They turned out much better than how they arrived. In one of the last pictures you can see how the livewell hatch looked originally.



A couple more pictures of the job, really freshened up the look inside.

Looks great. Like new money!

Well I chuckled inside when Bon Temps told me he had to tilt the sidescan transducer on his Ranger boat because it listed to stbd when he was in it. Well I have the same problem with the Skeeter but I have no room to correct it without other issues. After looking hard at the problem I came up with a Jackplate bracket for the transducer.



Using some 2x2x3/16in Aluminum angle I clamped the transducer bracket where I thought it should go.



I laid out where I wanted the screws to attach the mounting bracket. Drilled & Tapped the holes to 10-24 then cut to length on the miter saw.



Sizing up where to put the mounting hole for the Jackplate bracket I drill a miss. The bracket came in contact just enough to be necessary to drill another mounting hole. If this works as expected I will have to make another bracket because the extra hole will drive me nuts.



After the test assembly and finding I needed to drill another hole in the bracket I determined where, drilled the hole, and mounted everything up.



Time for another test run.

You do such good work Roj. We are all proud of you. If you shared this on the youtube you might be able to get some income FYI. Unlike me, my videos have not very much quality informational content like yours would. Just sayin'. My video's are mostly for my own amusement. lol

Originally Posted by Slab

You do such good work Roj. We are all proud of you. If you shared this on the youtube you might be able to get some income FYI. Unlike me, my videos have not very much quality informational content like yours would. Just sayin'. My video's are mostly for my own amusement. lol

My wife constantly says the same thing. As you know filming is the big problem and if you can get the filming done quality editing is needed too. Thank you for your support.

Originally Posted by Rojo

My wife constantly says the same thing. As you know filming is the big problem and if you can get the filming done quality editing is needed too. Thank you for your support.

You need a good editor. Unfortunately, I’ve gotten behind on editing a few of my kids’ school event videos, so I’m probably not a good candidate for a business venture.


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Originally Posted by jjue1979

You need a good editor. Unfortunately, I’ve gotten behind on editing a few of my kids’ school event videos, so I’m probably not a good candidate for a business venture

I have someone to edit but he stays very busy. I think I would edit myself anyway. I always see important stuff edited out because the editor is not a Crappie fisherman.

I made this Umbrella holder 10-12 years ago for my old Blazer VL100. Well it got stripped out from the boat along with everything else so I could install it on the Skeeter.



First thing first, I didn't weld the pipe exactly straight on the backing plate so to ensure it is square with the deck I first leveled the boat.



After drilling one hole and tightening the fastener enough to hold the Holder in place I squared up the pipe with the deck before finishing mounting. I thru bolted with 1/4-20 SS screws, backed with thick SS fender washers, & used lock nuts so it won't come loose. I plan on using the net handle or umbrella handle to help me stand up from the helm.



My shortest long handle net wouldn't quite clear the ceiling to put in the holder for a picture but you get the idea with this one.



Picked up this umbrella from Amazon it has a solar reflective topside and non-reflective underside. The pole tilts with a metal tilt fixture instead of plastic, the fabric is vented to help prevent inversions, the pole height has 3 adjustments, and it comes in a storage bag. All for $51.

I won't know if I have to shorten the bottom of the 2 piece pole till I use it. Just a 15 minute break from direct sunlight during the summer is huge for me staying out fishing. Umbrellas made for fishing are just not worth the money to me.

Originally Posted by Rojo

I won't know if I have to shorten the bottom of the 2 piece pole till I use it. Just a 15 minute break from direct sunlight during the summer is huge for me staying out fishing. Umbrellas made for fishing are just not worth the money to me.

Shade makes a world of difference for sure. Add a little rechargeable fan and you're good all day.