u/testpatient0

Just picked up my pre-sale ticket for NYE. Pumped to see the boys close out 2026!

Installed a Garmin on the skiff over the weekend. Pretty happy with the install. Used just a single bolt in the middle w/o the rotating gimble. That allows me to still rotate it but keeps the profile lower. Still looking for a better way to close up the hole for the cable pass thru. Also used a Stern Pad to mount the transducer. Trying to avoid extra holes in the transom. I wish there was some kind of quick docking solution but I haven't found one. I see some for the larger units but nothing for the 5".

Finally was able to find a Wise Swingback 50-Qt Cooler Seat at a reasonable price with free shipping. This replaced the hard captains chair which was on a pedestal mount. This seat gives the boat much needed dry storage. Also rounds out the look nicely. We use the front cooler seat as out actual cooler. I also added a storage bag on front to hold my keys, phone, and wallet. I did have to remove the fiberglass controls cover and replace it with some split loom. Boat now officially seats my family of 4 in relative comfort.

The straps on the Sea choice cushion was a bit long for the igloo cooler so added some new snap buttons and shortened the straps.

So I have been looking for a cooler with a seat cushion to use as the second seat in my CS J14. I looked at Yeti (overpriced), RTIC (seems more reasonably priced), and an Igloo (under $100). My main complaint with the RTIC was that the cushion had a seam across the top so you can fold it in half and fit it in the cooler. I hate the seam, OCD. I ended up ordering the Igloo and cushion from West Marine because it was one of the only places that said they were BOTH in stock. Turns out that was a lie, it is on backorder and they have no idea when it will arrive. So I ordered a knockoff cushion from Amazon. That should arrive today so I am curious to see how well it fits. Regardless I installed the tiedowns over the weekend. I went with the RTIC ones mostly because I like the low profile hardware and it was a better price than the Igloo kit. I will report back on the fit of the new cushion once it arrives.

Anyone have any experience with this little BT head unit for a boat? I have limited space so I am looking for a BT receiver with the smallest footprint on the counsel.

Installed a bimini top. The only models I found narrow enough to fit a J14 were 8' long 4 bow models. I little bigger than I wanted but I guess more shade is always better than less. I used stainless hardware to replace the nylon junk they include with the cheap amazon kits. I also replaced the pad eyes with smaller ones. The eyes included with the kit were big enfough to tie your anchor from. I do miss how open the boat was without the top but having shade on a hot day is 100% worth the tradeoff.

Installed a cupholder over the weekend. I was pretty hesitant to drill such a large hole in the counsel but I also wanted to avoid a cup holder that stuck up on top of the counsel for fear it would eventually get broken off since it is so exposed. I guess this was the lesser of the two evils. I put a good seal of 3M 4000 around the lip so it should keep water out. Drain plug runs out of the hole for the controls. I left the space on the port side for an eventual Garmin Echomap. I still have one more. Not sure if I want to put it up on the front deck yet or not.

Another great show by the boys!

Got around to the first mod. Replaced the old fishing chair post mounting bracket with a hatch and added a cargo net to hold everything underneath while underway. The hatch makes it easier to get out the anchor but for quick access you can still grab stuff from over the top of the net.

I am looking for a Carolina Skiff or similar and ran across this. They are asking $3,850 for a 1999 CS J1450 with a 1999 Suzuki 9.9 HP four stroke and a trailer. I have already taken it out and the motor seems underpowered and the boat will not get onto plane. What would you offer?