A dream became reality in June of 2004 when we were able to acquire this versatile watercraft we named "Amber Bones II"  (which I will refer to as "Amber Bones" or "Amber Bones II".) With it's Yamaha 150, wide 8 foot beam, perimeter seating, bait well, and 52 gallon fuel tank, we have plenty of room and adequate amount of power and range to navigate the SW Florida waterways. The power plant is a 1997 Yamaha 150 Saltwater Series II 6 cylinder 2 stroke.   With the 14 1/2 X 17 aluminum propeller, WOT brings us to about 36-38 mph (GPS measured) at 4800 - 5000 RPM (ba-waaaaaaaaaa). With several people on board as well as a full tank of fuel. Amber Bones, a 1998 Hurricane Fundeck 201 can float in just about about 12 inches of water with about 4 people on board.  So it works out well for flats fishing. We have had 10 people on Amber Bones in the past.  Seating is comfortable. There is plenty of storage including a huge floor compartment, 2 front seat areas, a huge bench seat storage area, under sink & under helm compartments. Click here to see the 2005 model, which is layed out very similarly to our 1998 model. We use the Etrex Legend GPS (product - manual) for navigation.   Click here to see Amber Bones I which we had from 2001-2003.
	Drawing By AK February 27, 2005
	Boat Decorations Christmas Boat-A-Long 2007
	Boat Decorations Christmas Boat-A-Long 2004

Modifications: Additions & Repairs To Amber Bones

May 4, 2007
Installed stereo CD receiver (Dual model MXD45 from combo MXCP45 - $100).  Did not install accompanying speakers (used ones that were already onboard installed 7/8/06).  
Only problem:  DURING NIGHT USAGE, NO WAY TO DIM BLINDING GREEN DISPLAY LIGHT.

April 2007
Installed 4 stainless steel universal fishing pole holders (Attwood model 66970-7 UPC 022697669704).  $25 each: Walmart.  Attached them to bimini frame.

July 22, 2006
Replaced fuel primer bulb.

July 21, 2006
Replaced faulty Yamaha Remote Control trim switch with OEM.

July 8, 2006
Installed 2 marine speakers (Seaworthy (prospecelectronics.com) model SEA-5572W) $40.

January 2006
Big problems.  The engine has self-destructed after saltwater intrusion via a corrosion hole in the block caused a bearing to fail.  
Click here for the complete site.

December 2005
Need to do something about the boat seat seams that are coming apart.

June 2005
Circuit breaker replacement (supplier).

5/27/2005 - Baitwell Pump Upgrade & Running Sink Water
Today we upgraded the bait well pump from an Attwood A500 (500gph) to an Attwood A750 (750gph) (both less than $20 at Walmart).  The main motivation for this was because the former 500gph pump began tripping the circuit breaker repeatedly until we oiled it.  So it seemed to be nearing end of life.

Additionally, we upgraded to the 750 model with an idea in mind.  Eventually we want to install a live well.  Also, Amber Bones has a sink but no "running water"; we have to fill the fresh water bag, which we never do, then pump the faucet feverishly in order to get water.  Today I put a T in place and ran a hose from the bait well pump to the sink faucet.  Wella!  We have running water at the sink.  No more leaning over into the water to wash bait guts off our hands! 

After placing a T inline and using the 750 for both the bait well and the sink, I clearly see that it will NOT be sufficient to also pump to a live well.  This in addition to not catching that many fish at once that we truly need a live well to hold them, we will put the live well idea on hold for now.

Update 5/30/05> After experiencing trouble during yesterday's outting with this system not priming itself over and over, found that a circle bend in the bait well main feed tube from the pump was causing and air-lock situation.  I cut the pipe shorter to make it a strait feed to the T, and this solved the problem.

December 2004 - Rewiring & Second Battery
This month we upgraded the thin 16 gauge wiring from the battery to the circuit panel under the console.  I purchased 20 feet of 10 gauge wire and hooked it up.  Also, added a second battery and placed it in the compartment under the console.  

All of this was done for several reasons; It seems that Godfrey Marine didn't design the main circuit of 20 amps well by using 16 gauge wiring.  Whenever I would switch the headlights on, it would cause such a surge that the radio would cut out briefly.  Also, in preparation for the annual boat-a-long Christmas light show, I needed some serious power to run the 700 watt inverter I hooked up to run the Christmas lights on Amber Bones.

Also, our prop was damaged immediately after the boat-a-long.  Damaged Prop

Engine Problem

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God Bless You.