Fired it up today!!!!

[Franco]

Well after more than a year, figuring moving it from Vtiginia to Florida, I replaced the batteries, dropped 20 gallons of fresh fuel in the empty tank, hooked up the water hose and fired that puppy up!!!!! Fired the first times and it purrrrrrrrred like a kitten after it warmed a few minutes. Ran it for 30 minutes, 40lbs oil pressure, 170 degrees, charging 13.5 volts, no leaks, knocks or odd noises. Looks like i gotta replace the raw water supply hose to the pump, hose cake loose from it's bracket and rubbed the belt. Shift cable is very sticky, but they are reasonably priced. I'll be trolling for sails in a bad a-s-s V20 this fall!!!!!

[phester]

congrats Franco. Firing up your boat after a long nap[and having no surprises] sure is a good feeling

[reelapeelin]

Hey, Franco...CONGRATS on the smooth START-UP!!!... ;D ;D...sounds as good as you could hope for...glad you found the belt rubbin' hose in the driveway and not out to sea... :o...

That V20 you see off your Starboard flank while trollin' those sails might just be old Reelapeelin... 8)...I've had the "HOTS" to do that for a long time...this might be the year... ;)...

[Franco]

HEY RAP, MY DRIVEWAY HAS ROOM FOR AT LEAST 2 V20'S, AND I GOT A GUEAT ROOM, COME ON DOWN OZ

[reelapeelin]

Ain't kiddin'...been thinkin' about that trip for a long time...just was talkin' to a buddy of mine about doin' that this fall...he did back SEVERAL years ago...I'd LUV to come down and learn from a sailfish veteran... ;D...

Appreciate the bedding offer, but if I'm bringin' a buddy, it might get a little TIGHT!... ;D...

Should I brush up on tossin' my cast net?...hadn't done that in too long... :P...they don't call me "ol' banana-shot" for nothin'... :-/...

Got out-riggers, but hear a lot about kitin' these sails...

[Franco]

I'm no veteran but your welcome to come on down. We can both practice with the cast net!!!! I've only been in florida about 10 months or so!!! So we can learn together, I have been gathering a bunch of gps numbers we can try!!!

[Stinky_Hooker]

Great news Franco! ;D

[Blue_Runner]

They call me "ol taco shot" ;)

[willy]

sweet franco, makes me wish i bought your boat when i had the chance

[willy]

will you guys still talk to me even though i have a robalo

[Blue_Runner]

These guys will talk to anybody that has pictures and gives good advise 8) unless you own a Bayliner :o

[willy]

good cause i bought this 1820 cc robalo cause it had no norton snaggers on it.

[Franco]

hey Willy, you fired me up and got me going again, thanks bud

[Skools Out]

NO Norton Snaggers How are you going to keep her still and from running away? Just don't buy a Bayliner lol. Robalo are nice boats and ride nice. I had there 2660 with twin 200 Johnsons. Long since sold though.

http://images.traderonline.com/EMedia/tarchive2/300/275683/00449209505.jpg

[willy]

thats a big boy schools out, i bought the little brother a 1820 1992 with a 150 merc blk max. boat does ride nice and feels like its built like a brick shouse. stored on dry rack entire life. used by an occasional fisherman family runabout guy. only problem i had was low transom and max hp (weight) motor allowed water to splash up onto rear floor area when i drift fish in any chop or big boat wakes. saw on hull truth about older mako's pursuits robalo's and several others had the same problems. i made a sea wall out of 3/4 starboard with 4 large scuppers on bottom and perm mounted them on pony wall in rear. should fix problem. sea trialing it tommorow raritan bay. been catching nice fluke around sandy hook

[willy]

and it was the boat without the nortons, just thought i'd clear that up before nasty rumors start

[Blue_Runner]

Hey Willy, I'd like to see that custom splash guard if you have time to post a pic. Sounds like just the ticket to solve your problem.

[Skools Out]

Yeah that 2660 had the same problem Robalo's older boats were known for that. They have a flat deck with the motors and it was a self drain idea but it sucks unless you do as you've done.

[willy]

i don't own a digi camera so i'll have to figure something else out for that. this boat is fairly easy to trailer and very low hrs. not a scratch on her except where the fork lift used to rub the hull picking her up. i looked hard for a v20 or 21 for six months and looked at several. long rides. all had some major problems i'm not talented or experienced enough to handle. if franco was up here i would of probably road tripped and got his and now he'd be crying. i figured it will be a good fist salt water boat for me and give me some experience. next year i'll probably start v20 shopping again. love those boats. anyone here from fillet1 i emailed him a few times no response

[Skools Out]

I just posted a fairly good looking V20 that would be great for you it's fairly cheap look under the for sale & wanted section.

[willy]

checked it out skoolsout but it is another low wide open transom. my next boat is not going to have that. i'm looking for something that has sort of a great wall that you can see with satellite imagery. i'd really like something like f1's boat or a newer v21. good luck with the 77, hope you get some cash for the kids

[willy]

you see some of us hefty over 200 club members have special requirements

[willy]

HEY FRANCO WHERE ARE THE PICS OF MY BOAT THAT ALMOST WAS . WITH ITS NEW PAINT JOB

[Franco]

Hey Willy, check these out!!!
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Flafranco/P7190039.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Flafranco/P7190053.jpg

[willy]

OH MAN YOUR KILLING ME, BY THE WAY DID I TELL YOU MY WIFE HAS ME DRIVING DOWN TO DISNEY AND STAYING IN OUR TIME SHARE CHRISTMAS WEEK. THAT LOOKS LIKE A NICE PRESENT FOR AN GOOD FATHER WHO DRIVES HIS KIDS TO FLA. TO RIDE A ROLLER COASTER. KEEP WORKING ON IT MAN

[willy]

I THINK YOU SHOULD ALSO INSTALL A HARD TOP WHILE YOUR AT IT. I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXTRA 500 IF YOU DO. ALSO DO YOUR BEST TO DE-SNAGG IT TOO

[willy]

I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN WITH THAT PERSPECTIVE ABOUT LOWERING THE RAIL. MAKES A BIG DIFF ON THE VIEW

[Franco]

hey Willy, you"ll be about 2 hours away!!! Maybe we can meet up at the red river cafe in Disney for a couple of cold ones!!!!

[willy]

YOU GOT IT BROTHER AND I'M BUYING. GOIN TO NEED TO TIP A FEW IF I'M RIDING ALL THOSE GO FASTERS WITH FOUR KIDS AND A CRAZY ITALIAN LADY FOR A WEEK. BE GREAT IF I LEFT WITH A FRESHLY PAINTED V20 HUH !!

[willy]

hey blue runner tried out that sea wall yesterday, works like a dream. boat dry as a bone played around in some surf and waves trying to hit some doormats in a hole right inside the point of sandy hook. willy schultz marine engineering is now in buisness