Maiden Voyage

[joe7670]

Well not really, but maiden voyage after I got it.

So even though forcast for was Bay Waters Rough I ventured out after looking at the bay and not seeing it that bad.
In all reality it was ok a bit windy and wet but the windshield did it's job a number of times.

With winds out of the NE found that on the south side of the port of Miami there was a nice spot where the water was calm and used it to test out the ride.

I will open another thread about the prop size as I'm note sure if it needs tweeked, but the dang thing sure had some power and I thought it did quite nicely with the bracket and all.

The one pic will show that the water line in the rear is a tad higher on the boat from the weight but nothing insane. Additionally it gets up on a plane in no time flat.

Tested with only two on the boat and no additional gear, but all in all the 150 was definitely a good choice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf0WEJeZDsY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q38jfiW6psM

[joe7670]

Another Pic.

[Skools Out]

you need to raise your wench so that thw bow stop is above the bow eye. otherwise if you had to stop fast towing the boat will be in your back window of the tow car.

[Cam]

Nice vids...boat really looks like it is flying. Good luck with it.:beer:

[Seacrets]

I ran my 150 Merc with a 17" pitch four blade. Worked very well for my setup.

[willy]

Going to be a nice set up. the 150 is a perfect match for a V.
Please listen to what Todd said about your trailer set up, very dangerous what you got on the front winch set up in the pic.

[joe7670]

I'll be reversing the location of the wench to be above the boy eye.

Thank you for catching that. I thought it was this way cause the strap strugles to go through the hole under the roller, but I'll figure it out.

[RidgeRunner]

Video no less.. I am jealous. The motor may be a tad low. It has a bit of funny spray on the port side when you plane out. Mine did the same thing, it turned out the bolt that holds the lower unit to the mid section was throwing the spray. Raised it up one hole and it was perfect.

[joe7670]

What's funny is I saw weird spray coming out of both sides when starting to plane or at initial plane with no trim adjustment.

I was trying to figure out what it was. May be onto something here.

[Blue_Runner]

Congrats on your voyage. I remember my first. It was like being born-again. :beer:

[Pipe_Dream]

Congrats on your voyage. I remember my first. It was like being born-again. :beer:
Ditto on the congrats. Pics and video -- we couldn't ask for much more!

On the PD's maiden voyage we broke down a few hundred yards from the dock. So yes, this was a great one!

[msbhammer]

Great story and love the Pics.

[reelapeelin]

Joe, looks like you got the right combo w/that Opti!!...looks STRONG :clap:...I jealous as hell over that full transom...what year model is that hull?...good luck and keep the pics and vids comin!!...:sun:

[joe7670]

1987

[Thirdcoast]

You have answered my question..

Which setback did you use?? I also have a SeaDrive full transom..

Do yo have any pictures of the Porta Bracket or installation??

Thanks,

Thirdcoast

[joe7670]

Cool. I'm a bit behind getting all my pics into the gallery, but this will promote me to get it done.

Picks of the bracket can also be found at
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/showthread.php?t=12831

Set back on mine is 24".

Swapping to a dual axle trailer Saturday and hoping to be back in the water very soon.

[Thirdcoast]

Joe:

Thanks for the info, but the bracket I am looking at is different..

It is called a PortaBracket & it serves as a bracket & jackplate all in one.

http://www.portaproducts.com/bracket7.jpg

The Porta Hydraulic Transom Bracket is a travelling parallelogram that combines the best features of two products. A simple transom bracket extends the motor off the back of the boat for stability and more room inside the boat - but cannot raise or lower the motor to find the "sweet spot" for performance, to accommodate shallow water fishing, or to provide motor protection raise-and-tilt. A simple hydraulic jack plate can raise or lower the motor a short distance (usually eight inches max) but does not offer the setback advantages of a transom bracket. With the Porta Hydraulic Transom Bracket you get both - the setback, with its advantages, and the vertical movement range - of 12" to 24" - much more than is offered by any hydraulic jack plate on the market. Unique is indeed the right word for this remarkable product.

This is what I am going to use.. this gives me everything I need, a bracket and a jack plate so I can go into shallower bays....

I still would like performance numbers with the Optimax when you have time...

Thanks,

Thirdcoast