We've already gotten out for one (rather chilly) overnighter on the Mac 25 so far this spring, but we're anxious for it to get a bit warmer, and have more than the two days we got last fall on the new to us Merit 22 also. To that end, I've been working on a few comfort items in the Merit.
High on the priority list was installing a set of 60 lb gas struts under the pop top. I did this on our Mac 25 a few years ago and now can't imagine owning a pop top boat without these struts. it makes it SO much easier to hoist that bloody thing for my 99 lb wife, as well as this 220 lb old man
there wasn't enough room under the top for the struts, but outside is ok also I recon'. it works the same. no more need to fumble with those steel strut support rods wile holding the top up with your head, etc etc.
Last fall I had installed a small ATV winch inside the cabin to take over the duties of raising and lowering the (600 lb) lifting keel. part of that installation process included adding a garden tractor size battery, which also operates a small Garmin fish finder/sonar and an led light in the cabin. low demands, but sill requires periodic battery replenishment, so I've added a 20 watt solar panel off the back railing and a charge controller behind the cabin table. no more need to plug in a charger every few days/week on the lake.
The new (small version) folding table gives us a lot of extra room to move around in the cabin, but also eliminated some "kitchen counter space", so this new slide out counter top solves that issue and takes away zero cabin space when not in use. it should work out well for food prep and to set our single burner propane stove on.
High on the priority list was installing a set of 60 lb gas struts under the pop top. I did this on our Mac 25 a few years ago and now can't imagine owning a pop top boat without these struts. it makes it SO much easier to hoist that bloody thing for my 99 lb wife, as well as this 220 lb old man
there wasn't enough room under the top for the struts, but outside is ok also I recon'. it works the same. no more need to fumble with those steel strut support rods wile holding the top up with your head, etc etc.Last fall I had installed a small ATV winch inside the cabin to take over the duties of raising and lowering the (600 lb) lifting keel. part of that installation process included adding a garden tractor size battery, which also operates a small Garmin fish finder/sonar and an led light in the cabin. low demands, but sill requires periodic battery replenishment, so I've added a 20 watt solar panel off the back railing and a charge controller behind the cabin table. no more need to plug in a charger every few days/week on the lake.
The new (small version) folding table gives us a lot of extra room to move around in the cabin, but also eliminated some "kitchen counter space", so this new slide out counter top solves that issue and takes away zero cabin space when not in use. it should work out well for food prep and to set our single burner propane stove on.
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