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Finnegan,
I wasn't there when the motor was received, I was away on business. I am sure you can understand that situation. I was not informed about the modifications being made...sort of.

The confusion began because I did want them to fabricate a modification on the bow of the boat for my electric trolling motor. When I was gone and checked in by telephone during the fabrication process, I was told all about the progress of the fabrication of the trolling motor mount on the boat. I assumed that he trolling motor mount being fabricated was the mount on the bow. I also assumed that the 9.9 would have been delivered to me as it was specified. I never opened the box/crate when I delivered this motor to Tommy, I just dropped it off with the also unopened crate with the correct 115.

I made a lot of assumptions in retrospect, and that led to the shop making a lot of assumptions...that has lead to me probably having to purchase another motor now. I do have that mint one to sell or trade to reduce my loss, but it is painful.

I made a serious mistake. I will have to deal with the consequences of this mistake. I am a big boy, I will handle it.

As far as the wood goes...I also made a serious mistake when I ordered and paid for in good faith something that had not been created yet from a person who, at that time, had been recently discredited in the classic whaler community. I had not heard of the problems everyone was having with him, and he certainly is a smooth operator on the phone. I didn't even know he had been dropped here as a sponsor until a few months later. By that time, it was too late.

I have to thank Sue at TWIN CITIES MARINE for assisting me in getting what I have now. She was the only person, and he has quite a few folks trying to make contact with him, that could get him to call back and send what I finally got. This wood was ordered well over a year ago, I got it at the end of last month. The whole episode with the wood was very trying, and I have realized that I made a mistake in dealing with a dishonest person for quite a while now.

I am a big boy, I can handle this problem as well.

This is my first big Boston Whaler custom refit project, and I have made mistakes. I have learned a lot already, and I expect to learn more as this continues. I can't blame anyone but myself.

Also, that 9.9 is not a kicker motor. I intend to use it for a specific type of trolling that requires that horsepower. I have access to a couple of freshwater lakes here in our area that have been stocked with Red Drum by the TPWD. The trolling method that I have been most successful with involves powering up speed rapidly and then powering down speed rapidly over schools of these fish in 40-50 feet of water while downrigging up to six rods at a time at about 25-35 feet depth. This method of trolling requires more power than simple slow trolling. If I ever get this project finished, I would certainly be very honored to demonstrate this technique to you if you get out this way, it is a LOT of fun to do :) My wife, kids, and grandkids love this!

Nautical Lumber, or more specifically, Mike Stennet, has photos of my console. I can assure you, he was, and is, aware of the need for my 1986 model fire extinguisher box to have been made out of wood. I have never seen any super console with an open hole in the starboard side with a frame built around it instead of the drop down door covering it...perhaps you have, I have not. Please note, the frame for this door was supplied, just the door was missing! I guess that somehow Mike's apparent theft of my original gunnel caps that he said he had to have in order to make the new ones is somehow acceptable? Have you ever seen a super console circa 1986 that did not have teak strips at the base as trim? I have not. There is no excuse for Mike, I am sorry. It is still my fault that I dealt with him. I will have to accept my responsibility in this matter and I will, no matter how bitter a pill this is. My Whaler will not suffer though.

I am building a custom Boston Whaler Outrage 18 boat here. I am using as much of the original design as possible, and using as much of the original boat components as possible, but this boat will be used for a lot of different specific needs for me personally. This boat was not ordered with anything other than the super console from the factory, and was dealer equipped to the original buyers spec in FL. It will still be similar to the original buyers spec when I am done with this project, with my own personal needs accommodated. I don't think I have ever seen some of the features I am incorporating in this rebuild applied to any Boston Whaler before.
The transom modification that has already been done to accommodate a 25" shaft 9.9 does not bother me at all, I need to be clear. This is a very nicely crafted modification. The problem with the motor at this point is it is tiller operated, not remote. This will be addressed and corrected, even if it requires me to purchase another engine. The bow mount for an I-Pilot electric trolling motor will also be addressed, and I am certain that the fiberglass work will be crafted at the highest standard for this mod as well. No rails have ever been on this boat, and there will never be any rails on it, at least, certainly, until after I am dead and gone. I have to have an open bow in order to use a cast net off the bow, just like the original owner.

The 30 gallon live well that is integrated into the custom leaning post with a tackle center will also be on this boat till after I am dead and gone. I intend to have it BW desert tan in color, as opposed to the original white, however. I need this baitwell to keep the bait I catch from the bow alive and healthy, just like that original owner did. I can, and will, transfer this bait to the big Whaler just before my grandkids and I head offshore. I will use this baitwell as a livewell when we toss crappie into it when we go night fishing in the TX lakes.

My point here is that this boat has always been, and will continue to be, a custom model, and a very personal boat. I intend to will it to my grandchildren. By the time this last transfer takes place, they will know intimately why every custom feature was incorporated, and most of all, how to use these features to have successful fishing trips in many different settings.
For this reason, the money and time I spend on this project is not an object of concern. I will gladly pay for my mistakes, while grumbling mostly to myself, for the return of passing on the sport I love. I know what it has meant to me to be able to enjoy this sport throughout my life, and I intend for this to be available to my progeny.

I guess there was bound to be mistakes made in this project by me when I think about it now, the project is me. I have made them all my life. :)

Sorry about the rambling explanation to the questions in your post above in my response, but I want you, and anyone else that reads this, to understand my passion.

You are always welcome onboard any of my boats. Please consider this as my personal invitation.