michaeln
10-17-2009, 10:06 AM
Hi Folks
I just bought a used Spring Creek Hopper II (8 foot model) pram.
http://www.springcreekprams.com/8hopper.htm
It's ten years old but in great shape other than being kind of weathered from being stored outdoors. Right now I am refinishing the walnut-plugged ash gunwales. I've got one side done, sanded it down to bare wood with 80, then 150, then 220 grit, and put on a coat of tung oil (recommended by Jim at Spring Creek to refinish them). I will put on a couple more coats of tung oil, but you have to wait 24 hours between coats. I think it looks way way better now!
Unfortunately it looks like whoever refinished the gunwales last time slopped varnish on 'em with a floor mop. There are big ugly yellow varnish drips down both sides on the inside. Dunno if I can get that stuff off or not. Need something that will remove it without hurting the fiberglass.
I've wanted a pram for a while, and in fact was considering ordering this exact one, even down to the color and all the options (forest green with ivory "splash web" gelcoat, two carry handles on the stern and one on the bow, "Pocket Puller" anchor davits front & rear, trolling motor wiring setup with the battery under the pedestal seat, spare rod holders, Scotty flyrod holder). It even came with two 8lb mushroom anchors.
This boat, if I had it built new and shipped to me would have been almost $2400, which is quite a bit more than I wanted to spend. Bought this one for $500 and am doing the TLC part now. ;-)
Pics of the work in progress are at:
http://michaelnel.smugmug.com/Boats/Spring-Creek-Hopper-II-Pram/9979037_zSwVZ#683387335_ogDbL
I ordered composite oars and a pram dolly from Spring Creek, and a factory refurb Minn Kota Endura 30 from Cabela's, and a group 24 deep cycle marine battery.
The maiden voyage (with me as the skipper) will be Nov 15th at Baum Lake. Sure glad I won't be in my float tube!
http://michaelnel.smugmug.com/photos/682019638_y3gqo-L.jpg
I just bought a used Spring Creek Hopper II (8 foot model) pram.
http://www.springcreekprams.com/8hopper.htm
It's ten years old but in great shape other than being kind of weathered from being stored outdoors. Right now I am refinishing the walnut-plugged ash gunwales. I've got one side done, sanded it down to bare wood with 80, then 150, then 220 grit, and put on a coat of tung oil (recommended by Jim at Spring Creek to refinish them). I will put on a couple more coats of tung oil, but you have to wait 24 hours between coats. I think it looks way way better now!
Unfortunately it looks like whoever refinished the gunwales last time slopped varnish on 'em with a floor mop. There are big ugly yellow varnish drips down both sides on the inside. Dunno if I can get that stuff off or not. Need something that will remove it without hurting the fiberglass.
I've wanted a pram for a while, and in fact was considering ordering this exact one, even down to the color and all the options (forest green with ivory "splash web" gelcoat, two carry handles on the stern and one on the bow, "Pocket Puller" anchor davits front & rear, trolling motor wiring setup with the battery under the pedestal seat, spare rod holders, Scotty flyrod holder). It even came with two 8lb mushroom anchors.
This boat, if I had it built new and shipped to me would have been almost $2400, which is quite a bit more than I wanted to spend. Bought this one for $500 and am doing the TLC part now. ;-)
Pics of the work in progress are at:
http://michaelnel.smugmug.com/Boats/Spring-Creek-Hopper-II-Pram/9979037_zSwVZ#683387335_ogDbL
I ordered composite oars and a pram dolly from Spring Creek, and a factory refurb Minn Kota Endura 30 from Cabela's, and a group 24 deep cycle marine battery.
The maiden voyage (with me as the skipper) will be Nov 15th at Baum Lake. Sure glad I won't be in my float tube!
http://michaelnel.smugmug.com/photos/682019638_y3gqo-L.jpg