I spent a lot of time this weekend on the boat.  I got 2 coats of Sys III primer on the outside of the hull and back bulkhead.  One coat on the cockpit sides.  I used Rustoleum Topsiders marine paint for the above waterline paint.  I also used the Rustoleum non skid additive for the gunnels.  This is a shot of the gunnels after the non skid was added.  The non skid is a Battleship grey and the inside of the cabin sides and dash is a light grey that I mixed.  I used equal parts battleship grey and white.

I also decided on my color scheme.  I am going black and white on the outside and grey on the inside.  I am also using epoxy/graphite mix as I did on the bottom for the black on the spray rails and the accent strip below the gunnels.  This is tough stuff and in Alaska I am not worried about the heat as much as if I were in Florida.  I am hoping the the graphite powder will provide enough UV protection.  Time will tell.  It makes a hard surface that will be easy to repair if I get some dock bites.

I also started working on the dash.  I cut out the 3 1/4" holes for the helm and the 2 Lowrance LMF 400 digital gauges.  I decided to go digital and am installing a NMEA 2000 network.  I am interfacing my Suzi 115 and my fuel gauge sender to the network.  I am also installing a Lowrance 28C chartplotter/FF combo on the cutout you see on the dash.  I am also using a Lowrance VHF that can connect to the network with DSC capability.   I picked up a Raymarine SportPilot autopilit that I connected to the NMEA 0183 network connections from the chartplotter/FF.  Hopefully this will allow me to steer a course via chartplotter waypoints.  If all works as advertised I will be able to set a course for trolling and follow it up and back. 

I am using Blue Sea switches and fuse boxes.  I think I went over kill but better to many than not enough.  I have 2 fused switch units, a 6 switch unit and a 4 switch unit.  I also have a 12 fuse block on the backside.  I figure this will ensure that I don't overload things in the future.  The wiring at the top is the NMEA 2000 network.  In th emiddle right is the steering box.  Middle left is the fused switches.  Lower right to left is the Power distribution box, the fuse box, and the NMEA 0183 netwrok connections for the VHF and Autopilot.  The wiring harness coming out below the steering box is the power and NMEA connections from the SportPilot. 

Lastly is a photo of my front seats that are installed in removeable bases.  This allows me to have forward facing seat that will swivel and also be removeable.  When they are removed that will fit in freestanding bases that can be used in the cockpit or anywhere else seating is needed.  When the pilot seat is removed a leaning station will slip over the base to allow a confortable place to stand and pilot the boat.  This should be nice when trolling or driving through the rough sloppy wheather that is bound to catch up with you time to time.