Happy 2014! I hope everyone had a Safe and Happy New Years Eve.
We took the Simi-finished tin out yesterday for the maiden voyage and I've got one word to say about the boat.. Awesome! It was everything I was hoping it would be.
First off sitting at the dock in the water the boat was level in the water. I was really apprehensive about all the weight that I put up front with the 12 Gal tank under the deck along with the batteries, TM and anchor not to mention all that .08 aluminum up top on the deck. I shouldn't have worried. It was sitting pretty and the water didn't even get up to the side chine running the length of the boat. I figure it drafts about 6 inch's with no one in it.
This boat is stable! I never felt like I was going to fall over and get thrown out. I walked right up to the edge and still had plenty of free board to the water.. I give credit to the weight I centerlined as much as possible gas tank and batteries. Spaced evenly.
The tune up on the engine was worth the money it started up and ran like a champ. All the weight I added to the front worked like I wanted and with both my Dad and I in the back when I opened her up she jumped up on plane like a champ.
After all the added decks and other weight I've lost about 4mph top speed. Before on the test cruise we got 22mph out of it now it top's out at 18. I'm happy with that. It's not the fastest boat on the water but we ran it all over the lake and put around 20 miles on her and the gas gauge needle never moved off full. That little 20 horse 4 stroke sips the gas.
We got some fishing done but unfortunately the fish just didn't want to play.. a cold front had just moved thru and they just weren't biting.
I learned a few things about my design. I need to beef up that TM mount. There was alot of flex in it when it was set to full power. Over time I can see it stressing the aluminum, So I'll run a few bolts all the way thru the bars to the deck underneath.
I liked the Cake pan TM tray I made for the foot control but I need to modify it. Going left is no problem, when you want to go right the angle for the pedal makes it awkward to keep the power button pressed. I need to get something in there to make that thing sit at an angle and not flat. Also I need to add some rubber feet to the bottom of the foot control. It was nice to take it out of the tray when I was facing sideways but the hard plastic slides all over the top of the vinyl.
Those 2 things were the only major problems and they really were not that big of a deal. All the lights and pumps work as planned. Both sonars work great. The seats are comfortable and we are spaced far enough apart front to back that no one is hitting the other persons rod when casting.
I love that rod locker but adding the tie down straps to the top was an outstanding idea. We just put all the rods we were using at the time on top and strapped them down when we decided to move. That was handy. I'll probably just use the locker when transporting and storing.
I've only got a few pictures from yesterday. Once the boat is totally finished I'll post a nice progress series.
Last, Thanks for all the encouragement guy's. I also appreciate all the kind comments.
Underway at the speed of slow.
The speed wheel is a big fat liar! My phones GPS was reading 18.
Pop's is happy with the new boat.
I'm pretty happy with it also. :LOL2: