The big splash

[JD]

Finally. With all the electronics installed I splashed the new boat yesterday while it was still below 100*. That 4 stroke Suzuki is so quite you can’t tell it's running at idle.

Checking things out at the dock, there's a loose wire behind the instruments that's knocking out the voltmeter and fuel gauge. That'll get fixed next week. There's a crack in the PVC fitting to the live well pump and that kept the bilge pump busy until I located it and turned off the seacock. Fairly simple repair.

Running out I went on #1 battery as #2 was fluctuating. When #1 was fully charged, I tried to charge #2, It started to come up but I found that if I hit any switch on the boat while on #2 it would kill the engine and all electrical items. Conclusion: bad battery. BJ said to take it back to the dealer for a new one. Nope. I don't want any stinking Interstate batteries on board. They'll both be replaced.

Anywhoooo. It was great to be back on the water after 4 years :) With luck, I'll see Mont in late September or October. Plan to rent a place for a week and do some real relaxin'.

[~~Snakeman~~]

Dan: Sounds like once you tighten the wire, replace the fitting & the batteries, you'll have one helluva fishin' mochine. Good for you.

~~Greg~~

[Howard/Jax]

Just enjoy it JD. Hope it brings you all pleasure.

[Mont]

congrats on getting the boat in the water, Dan. Looking forward to some fishing this fall. It's been so hot here, you can't even walk on the deck of the boat. My mechanic is coming this week to install a new exhaust riser and pipe my remote oil filter for the starboard side. If you ever think you get ahead of a boat, you are just kidding yourself. For what it's worth, I have had good luck with West Marine's/Boat US batteries. They have held up well in the skiff and the big boat too.

[JD]

"If you ever think you get ahead of a boat, you are just kidding yourself": Mont

And there are days you can't even get away from the dock :eek: I'll have to relate some of our live-aboard-days on the Vista. I don't believe we ever came back on two engines. And springing a bilge leak in February at 2AM with it 10* below outside was a real treat.......

I picked up a West Marine dual purpose 810 CA to put in (I've used the West batteries before). That should take care of that problem. But it'll have to wait until I do it at 6AM. It's running 105* every afternoon. Toooooo dang hot below deck. I'll yank the kluge they put in on top of the seacock for the washdown and live well at the same time and fix it.

Also can tie up all the wiring for the Garmin MAP bundle. That stuff worked like a dream. Really pleased with it.