I'm glad you're happy with the purchase, hopefully you'll be able to keep it in the same shape it is in, hopefully in a garage. Good luck with her.
Maiden Voyage went excellently! The engine started up after pushing inward on the key switch, which activates an electric primer for a couple seconds, and it idles perfectly at 750-800 RPMs. The transmission is completely silent when the boat shifts into gear. The boat comes up on plane with nearly zero nose rise and stays on plane down to 15 mph at 2600 RPMs. The throttle range exhibits no flat spots, and it reaches its maximum speed of 4,800 RPMs at 33 mph, according to the GPS. I will drop down to a 13 1/4 x 15p prop, which should get it up to 5,000-5,100 RPMs. Currently, the boat is equipped with the original 13 1/4 x 17p prop, which has no cupping. The hull weighs 700 lbs., and the 2-cylinder 60 hp Evinrude engine adds about 200 lbs., two 160 lb. people, two 6-gallon fuel tanks full, and a huge marine battery that weighs at least 75 lbs., in the rear, so the total weight is around 1300 lbs. It makes me think that it's 17p would it be able to let it rev higher? It has a variable, a deep-V in the nose to a 15-degree deadrise in the stern, and it was very windy with a 1 ft. chop with broken water caps, and she rode better than I thought she might. When going against the crosswinds at 10 mph, the upwind side splashed out enough in the bow to get a bit wet if trimmed down, but trimming it up at that speed stopped it from blowing the water up in the nose, and running on plane slightly nose down in that heavy chop was more tolerable. The wind died down after a couple of hours, and it was wonderful as the large lake calmed down. I encountered three issues: the trim very slowly creeps down over 15 minutes. I am certain that the bleed-down screw is leaking, as it affects both the trim and tilt cylinders. Is there a way to simply plug the bleed-down? The screw/O-rings are no longer available. The speedometer doesn't work, and I am not sure why, as the line is clear, as I blew it out first with my mouth and then with the air nozzle when I got home in the garage (30x60 heated shop), and the hose seemed clear? Lastly, the navigation lights are not working; it's a simple fix. We were out for about three and a half hours, and I was pleased to find that I only burned about half of one of the 6-gallon tanks. Additionally, the taillights burned out immediately upon entering the water. I believe they are original parts because the lenses are cracked and not waterproof. I ordered a new harness with LED sealed taillights. The harness is in rough shape with multiple repairs done and corroded wires. I think this boat will last me at least another 10 or more years, and by then I will be too old and lame to deal with trailering it anyway. I am satisfied with the unit. I love the top cover; it keeps the sun and rain off you all day and has the original side curtains that zip on. I will provide updates as time progresses. Thanks, everyone.
lol....
