BGA's Maiden Voyage...

[Bygracealone]

Hey boys,

Here are some pics of my maiden voyage. The pics aren't that great, but better than nothing for now...

Any comments on how she looks in the water? I'm not sure if the pics do justice since almost every time a pic was taken I was slowing down...

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f334/bygracealone/Maiden%20Voyage/100_1929.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f334/bygracealone/Maiden%20Voyage/100_1959.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f334/bygracealone/Maiden%20Voyage/100_1941.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f334/bygracealone/Maiden%20Voyage/100_1940.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f334/bygracealone/Maiden%20Voyage/100_1939.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f334/bygracealone/Maiden%20Voyage/100_1947.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f334/bygracealone/Maiden%20Voyage/100_1948.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f334/bygracealone/Maiden%20Voyage/100_1949.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f334/bygracealone/Maiden%20Voyage/100_1952.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f334/bygracealone/Maiden%20Voyage/100_1956.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f334/bygracealone/Maiden%20Voyage/100_1959.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f334/bygracealone/Maiden%20Voyage/100_1962.jpg

[macojoe]

I think she looks great!! ;) Great Job!

[lumberslinger178]

those duallies are sweet :D

[Shawsee]

Looks awesome! :D Congrats on your maiden voyage.

[rb437]

Looking good BGA!

[chumbucket]

Looking good Steve. Bet it feels good to finally get that part over. Nice action shots.

[Bygracealone]

Thanks guys.

Indeed, CB, it feels really good to finally get that thing in the water!

In another post, I expressed some serious concern about the fact that I hung a non-flotation bracket along with a 200 on the back of her, but my worries all went away today. She does sit a little low, but it will be interesting to see how much that changes when a person is fishing from the front.

Either way, I certainly owe a huge thank you to all of you guys who have helped me get to this point. Many questions have been asked and answered in order for me to get to this point.

So, thanks men! :)

[TunaHead]

Absolutely fantastic! I am definately going to redo my bow rail like yours.

[Skools_Dual]

man i love those pics glad the steering held up with no issues.

[Bygracealone]

Yeah Skools, thank you for taking care of me with the steering (fabrication, free steering arm, nuts, bolts, the list goes on and on ;-) ) and the million questions you answered for me. The steering works very nicely and as I said in another thread, this baby performs like a champ. The steering coupled with those 200 ponies makes for a fun ride. I'm sure I'll be crying at the gas pump soon enough, but hey...

On the previous boats I owned, it seemed like I would be driving blind for a long time before the bow finally came down on plane, but that's not the case with this baby. She gets up on plane like nobody's business.

I don't know how this boat performed with the sea drive, but I think what they say about better performance with brackets seems to hold true in this case.

My only complaint is that the scuppers tended to bob above and below the water. When they're under the water that sort of defeats the whole purpose doesn't it?

[macojoe]

Don't worry you can hold a lot of water!! I know first hand!! ;)

[msbhammer]

Just got online and Congrads to the maiden voyage. ;D
It's been a long wait for ya, but you look happy as hell. ;D Now go out and have fun with her. ;D

[Sean]

Nice, Glad things are comming together ;D
Boat loooks GREAT ;D

[BuilderFL]

BGA, she looks really good! Best of luck.

[Bygracealone]

Thanks for all the compliments guys!

I'm looking forward to doing some fishing, especially when Fall hits and we go after the Rockfish.

[msbhammer]

BYG, that first Pic. you post of your V. She looks kind of Tuff looking sitting there in the water without the windshield. Looks like a Drag Boat. I like it. ;)

[mauryc]

BGA, Congrats.
We need more dualies around here. We are definately the minority!

Maury

[Hammerhead]

Boat looks great, If you wanna raise the aft end while under way try a Stingray outdrive fin. Like a Dolphin but, a lik' bigger....made for 20' boats. It'll help hop directly on plane. They're 50.oo. Well worth it.

[willy]

Looks beautiful BG love the look of those duallies. I don't think you will have any problems with the level while underway but you will have to address the problem if you are going to fish in a good chop or swells drifting, and if there is a lot of boat traffic.
As a temp fix what you can do is purchase a pair of the toggle type garber plug that you use for the outside of the boat and stick them in the scupper holes on the inside for when you are just normal condition fishing etc. to keep the cockpit dry. Just remember to pull them out if the water gets tough and you stand a chance of getting MJ'D.
Other than that you are going to be a$$ heavy and will have to relocate weight forward to balance the boat. It is the balance that you have altered with the bracket and the engine size. It can be done I believe and I am sure you will sort it out.
You should be very proud you did a good job my friend ;)

[randlemanboater2]

BGA,

I am glad to see you in the water enjoying your boat, it looks great.


My only complaint is that the scuppers tended to bob above and below the water. *When they're under the water that sort of defeats the whole purpose doesn't it? *




That is one of the flaws of the V, mine does the same and mine is a non-bracket with a 410 pound motor. *I am using the WILLY method right now until I can come up with a better solution.

I tried in-hose check valves, they did slow the amount of water comming in, but also slowed the water going out.

But I have a plan, if it works I'll share, if not, I will brew quietly in the miserableness of repeated failure.

[Blue_Runner]

BGA - lookin good man! All your hard work paid off. 8)

[parishht]

Boat looks good BCA.

Is that lake in Pulaski county?

[Bygracealone]

Thanks again for all the encouraging comments!

Parissht, I'm on the South River in Anne Arundel County, MD. It feeds into the Chesapeake Bay...

Hammerhead, thanks for the suggestion, I may go that route after I get a bit more acquainted with the performance of the boat.

Willy, thanks for the words buddy. I'll certainly keep your suggestion in mind.

Randleman, I will be waiting with eager anticipation to hear about your idea. I hope it works for the sake of us all since so many of us share this problem.

Steve

[parishht]

Sorry about that.
for some reason I was thinking you where in Va.

[Bygracealone]

Parishht,

No worries, it does look like a lake, especially with the homes and boat houses...

Steve