After a year of bars, I’m back on the Gage-Hacker. Just to remind everyone, Gage-Hackers were built in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Only 16 where built in the early 1960’s and only a couple 26 footers.
The way I understand it, there’s one maybe two twin engine ones…not for sure. There’s all kinds of conflicting stories from over the years. This boat was a patrol boat on Lake Geneva once upon a time, which is kind of interesting. I’m looking forward to finishing the project and taking it to the Lake Geneva Boat Show next year.
I’ve started on the front bulkhead. If you remember when I started this boat, there was not a lot of the original interior left whatsoever. So, basically I’m building a lot of this from what few pictures I do have.
Here I have the old painted dash that was in here at one point in time. I was not sure if it was original, but I’m using it to mock up a new one. I’m kind of test fitting everything right now. It’s for sure a lot of trial and error. You’ve got to put it in, check it, take it out, sand it, plane it and sometimes start all over again.
The seats I had built earlier take about a day a piece. It’s hard to believe, but there’s a lot of cutting and a lot of angles. You’ve got to go with the contour of the side of the boat, which takes a little bit of time, but you want to make it fit nice and clean.
I also have to make sure there’s enough clearance for the knees and shins with the dash and the seat in place.
Jack