Cuba Libre

[Zane]

Aw I was holding out for BAT MOBILE. OK so how is it running, does it catch fish, where are the pictures????????????? Come on BB we are all waiting with batted (not a typo) breath. OH, and thanks for helping our national economy:D I look foreward to seeing the boat towards the end of May on my way up.

[Bryan/BC]

Geeze-- I havent even gone through the break-in procedure yet!!! Still have to install a tach ( who wooda thought it wasnt included!!!!!) power to the radio and other small stuff. I also have to have the trailer inspected by a gubermint contractor to make sure its not carry Bin Ladens brother or the wheels wont fall off or anthrax or some other thing you guys might have down south!!!

But all that aside , I was suprised that it only took me 20 min to import the boat at the border.... just had to make sure to pay a whack of Canadian taxes. Total time to get the boat home on Vancouver Island from Tigard Oregon-- 12 hrs ( includes ferry time) . Not bad at all, other than those narrow lanes on the old section of I 5 -- I swear I just had 4 in clearance from the side of the boat to the semi rolling along next to me!!! :eek:

[Jack Hexter]

Not bad at all, other than those narrow lanes on the old section of I 5 -- I swear I just had 4 in clearance from the side of the boat to the semi rolling along next to me!!! :eek:


You obviously never drove the old Key's bridges, especially the 7 Mile Bridge. Semi's used to knock mirror's when they passed each other going opposite directions :eek: The guard rails were made of Henry Flagler's Railroad tracks.

[Bryan/BC]

Funny-- the older I get , the more I value my body ( Yes I know Howard-- But is MY body:p )

Guess the perception of being bullet-proof evaporates as a person get closer to the end of our time on this little bubble in space ( Geeze ! That was a profound statement driven by only two Cuba Libras. Bet with a couple of bottles I could be another Hemmingway--ooops-- forget him-- he "off-ed himself:eek:

Boat should be on the water by this weekend. Cant wait.

[Gerry/BC]

It is to nice and shiny to get dirty.

Will get pictures as soon as he puts it in the water.

[Zane]

Gerry, we are depending on you for the pics as rummy seems incapable of posting. Please take care of the old guy, he needs all the help he can get.:D :D

[Gerry/BC]

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m294/jgscott_2006/TheBoat001.jpg

[Gerry/BC]

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m294/jgscott_2006/TheBoat005.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m294/jgscott_2006/TheBoat004.jpg
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m294/jgscott_2006/TheBoat003.jpg
ttp://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m294/jgscott_2006/TheBoat002.jpg

[Zane]

Thanks Gerry, Please send more pictures, maybe with some fish blood and guts on the deck. Hope it performed well althought I'm sure it did.:D :D

[Gerry/BC]

Sorry, no telephoto lens.

The boat is awesome, runs beautifully and is super stable.

Rides the waves extremely well and does not tip when we both get on one side.
That means I am less likely to fall overboard.

( Damn near did in the last one).

Will get more pictures soon.

[Bryan/BC]

Like the man said---- really pleased with the performance. With a full load of fuel (60 gal) fishing gear and two of us ( moi not exactly the
MOST compact .... but still behind Howard) the boat popped up out of the hole quite well. I roughly timed it and from full stop to 20 MPH it was about 10 sec and to 30, about 15 secs. Top speed is only 35 mph, but is is only a 115 Merc pushing a 20ft boat. Very simlilar performance, with increased stability to my last 17ft glass deep V. BUT A WHOLE BUNCH MORE ROOM.

I will be experimenting with different props to see if I can improve things. I did notice that the boat ran quickly up to 27mph at 4000rpm, but full reves did not bust 5000rpm. Anyone got suggestions for improved top end? Howard?? Boat corners very nicely, and like Gerry said, it is very stable-- the wide ass on the boat makes for a great platform.

[Jack Hexter]

Bryan.
I don't know what prop you currently have on the boat, but redline should be 5500 - 6000, This is what you should be turning at WOT with an normal load on the boat. 1 inch of propeller pitch is generally equal to 200 RPM, adding a cup in the propeller is equal to 50 rpm. If you want more RPM's go to a lower pitch prop. Adjust accordingly.

[Bryan/BC]

Thanks Jack-- I ran the numbers through the Mercury prop selector website and it came back with a recommendation for a 13 in prop. It has a 17 in right now. I will give it a shot and let folks know how I make out.

[Zane]

the biggest adjustment for me was the difference in weight between fiberglass and aluminum. Took awhile to get used to being right on top of those waves as to a little lower down in them. Just think of all the money you will save on gas and be able to spend on Juanny:D :D
P.S. 35mph is fast enough (remember the logs :( :( )

[Gerry/BC]

Yes, 35mph is fast enough for us older people.
The term " skipping over the waves" might not be as much fun as it used to be.

[Bryan/BC]

Well Zane -- you will have to take into account that Gerry IS older than me..:D But not quite as old as "dirt"!!!!!

[Howard/Jax]

Just remember to prop it out with a full tank and normal passenger compliment. As Jack said 5500-6000 is the correct top rpm. If you prop out with less then full load, when you have a full load you will bog down. If you are running light, you can always throttle back. My 200 will top at 5600 and with a full load will be running close to 50 mph. I only run it at top speed now, when I have Batbreaths gas credit card.

[Bryan/BC]

Thanks Howard

Going to try a 13P, 14 dia prop and see what happens. As far as running with a full load-- before crossing the border I filled the boat up (60 US gal) as it saved me $1/gal to do so.
I have loaded up a the fishing gear too, so the test will be done with near normal weight.

[Joe/GA]

Nice looking boat that you have there, young man! :D I'm now waiting to see the fish slime pictures. Have you caught fish from her, yet?

[Bryan/BC]

Its coming!! Its coming!! ( Oh the pressure!!!:( )

[Lost Shaker]

Nice lookin' boat there. Those are pretty popular in this area and so I've had an opportunity to ride on a couple of them....nice rides!

It looks FAR to clean though. Where is the blood?

[Bryan/BC]

Got a little goo on the boat yesterday-- but it was from clams and oysters. They didnt fight worth a damn!!:o

It was break-in time and trying out the 13" pitch prop.... seems that I have taken it TOO far as WOT now is off the tach!!! Going to go up to a 15" next.

Other than that, it was a great day for a cruise-- got my first sunburn of the year while I was cratering the beach for clams.

Now that my regular partner is out of commission for the season, I will probably fish locally instead of hitting the north end of Vancouver Island. It wont be as productive, but I will save a bundle since gas is now over $6.00/gal for an Imperial gallon. (4.55 litres) Think I will appreciate the smaller 4 stroke more as gas prices continue to rise.