So I want to clarify a few small steps on the TSB for the tracking fin installation. It isn't what it seems.
1) remove aft middle seat and floor panels.
2) from here on out, it gets sort of hellish
3) If you have gas in the tank, go to the lake and run it through the engine. There is no faster way to get it out of the tank. I bought 2 different gas siphon kits, cut a perfectly good garden hose to bits, swished three mouthfulls of 91 octane, and had bad gas and loose stools for 24 hours.
4) if you have 2 people, you can leave approximately 1/2-1/3 of the gas in the tank to remove it. Don't try to remove the gas, see step #3 above. It is a heck of a lot easier to get the gas out when you can elevate the tank after removal. Don't dring gas.
5) Don't use the instructed 5/32 inch drill bit if you are going to use the instructed #14 1-1/4inch screws. You will strip the screw heads and bust off phillips head drill bit drivers. Use a bigger drill bit or something. It is very frustrating laying on your back, dodging scaps of falling fiberglass and whatever else crap is coming out of the drill hole, and then stripping the screw head. Plus, if you don't have a long sleeve shirt on, you'll grind fiberglass bits into your flesh while you are struggling to get the screws in. Oh, and that marine grade silicone adhesive is about $20 a tube. Go ahead and buy a decent caulking gun, Mine literally fell apart while trying to express the adhesive out. So then things just got messy. Also, and a big ALSO here, don't follow the directions and set your drill stop at 1-1/4 inches. If you add back the thickness of the fin itself, you should only drill into the hull about an inch. I perferated the hull three times. I hope not a big deal due to amount of silicone adhesive that got everywhere, including the fin base. Using 1-1/4 inch screws, they don't stick out the inside of the hull at all. So at least that part was good.
6) be sure to align the bilge pump hoses and wires properly so your gas tank will fit back in correctly.
7) don't try and cut a fresh new end on the high pressure gas line tubing with a razor knife. It will take a long time.
the little 9mm nylon bolt heads get slippery after you have silicone adhesive on your fingers. Go ahead and buy a few extras to replace the ones YOU WILL drop down in the black depths of the aft hull area.
9) say a little prayer and do some indian tribal good luck dance upon completion to hope your boat still runs.
10) I haven't put her on the water yet, so I am still repeating step #9.
11) say goodbye to those fun power slides and easy docking manuevers.
hope this helps.
