New Porta-Bote

This is our new 14 foot Porta-Bote.  Notice the convenient attached wheels for easy "portability" even on land.  Here she is "decked out" with the new casting platform, swivel chair, rod holders, trolling motor and of course the necessary 46 amp-hour battery in it's fine carrying case built by fellow ham Paul Kelly, W4KLY.

I mounted a Buddipole antenna for three amateur radio bands on the bow.  Note the lashing with 1/2 inch CPVC tubing for three-point stability.  After hours of frustration, I finally traced the problem with the vhf radio to a bad solder joint at the radio.  Now the SWR is 1.2:1 on channel 16 (156.8 MHz).  Even with the duplexer for the FM broadcast radio it measures 1.5:1.  I wish I could blame that cold joint on someone else:).
My appointment for taxes is 2/6/2013.  If everything is OK I will be shoving off shortly thereafter.

Some of you are aware that during the rainy spell recently, I fell off my boat--ouch! So as promised, I have placed tread-plate in all the important places.  I may add a few more.