Intentions
 

Figured I***8217;d try the boat to see how it performed with the few additions to it.
New wheel.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...aki3/002-5.jpg
Might as well throw a couple of poles in also for the meanness of it.
I intended to try the boat at various speeds to compare the rpm***8217;s and fuel consumption. NOAA reported 10-15 north winds, 2***8217; seas and cloudy (yeah right) so we headed toward a couple of reefs that were 10-15 miles offshore. Immediately I recognized the GPS portion of the depth finder wasn***8217;t on and played with it till we got to the sound with no luck.
Not being real sure of everything on the boat (fuel consumption, engines performance, etc) we decided to fish the sound.
The moon was full, the tides were flood tides and negative tides, meaning inshore fishing would be next to pulling teeth. Still we anchored and caught undersized Trout, Blackfish, Shark, Croaker and Whiting. This is the second week of the season the Whiting have started in and they were small 10-12***8221;. Shamelessly kept a few to screw up some grease (hey this is the first fishing trip owning this boat).
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...aki3/001-7.jpg
One addition was the cutting board (inspired by Shawsee).
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...aki3/003-3.jpg
I exceptionally enjoyed it and the darn thing floats.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...aki3/004-3.jpg
And stores easily.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...aki3/005-1.jpg
While fishing the wind changed from North to West, then a little later from the South, then the East over a 4 hour period and the whole time varying from 15-30 mph. Heading back in the sound there were 3 foot swells so probably a good thing we didn***8217;t go offshore.
I normally bring a handheld GPS for a backup and figured might try to get some performance numbers with the new prop.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...aki3/Prop3.jpg
The old one was a 14x19ss, this one is a 14.8x17al. The stainless prop would turn about 5100rpm at 42mph lightly loaded; the aluminum prop turned 5000rpm at 41mph in rough water and wind and loaded to a normal fishing trip capacity, being bait, fuel, ice, etc. At about 3900rpm and 32mph it consumed just under 12gph. The whole trip was about 30 miles and burned about 12 gallons of fuel.
Couldn***8217;t take pictures of the instruments hold a GPS and operate the boat at the same time so sorry, no pictures of them.
Got back to the dock and turned on the VHF to find it not working, the display showed -8 (?) and none of the buttons worked.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...aki3/008-1.jpg
Then it dawned on me ***8220;must have been lightning***8221; hit near the boat and damaged the radio and external antenna on the GPS. Gotta see if that was the case or not.
I never liked the idea of bow rails getting in the way so I don***8217;t plan on reinstalling them on the boat plus I couldn***8217;t arrive at a good navigation light setup so ended up doing this for the meantime.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...aki3/006-1.jpg
The one thing I always wanted (for no particular reason) was a bow mounted transducer in addition to the normal depth finder. Here is both of them at the dock reading 11***8217; in the rear of the boat and 5.8***8217; at the front.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...aki3/009-1.jpg
Got back home wind burned, checked the NOAA site and they said the same exact thing (liars), cleaned the boat and fish, then thought ***8220;what a perfectly wasted day***8221; (I***8217;ll have to repeat it again soon, real soon).
Really did enjoy myself, first real trip out.

Nice report. Nothing wrong with bringing home a few feeshies small or otherwise. It was the first real fishing trip. :clap:
Electrical problems are the bane of a boaters existence. :sad:

Nice report. Glad you got to get out on your "new" boat.

I hope to be on the water in the next 36 hours myself.

Nice report Tsubaki! Have ya thought about mounting the individual port and starboard lights below the side windsheilds? If I ever get around to putting a pulpit on mine thats what I plan to do. Did you turn fewer RPM's with a 17" prop than you did with the 19"?

P.S. nevermind, I re-read your post about the boat being loaded differently.

Gotta love those shake down runs. Glad ya stayed inshore,...jus in case. I got rid of my railing too. I added a few no skid pads around the hatch for added safety.

Way to go Tsub. Those little whiting have alot of meat on em to be small. I fuss at people who throw the small ones back.

Nice trip.

:clap:Nice going!!! Over all productive trip:clap:

Love the new wheel and the bait board is outstanding. After seeing yours done up, I may have to invest in some starboard. The pressure treated plywood I have is ok, but I know starboard cleans up much easier. Great job and way to go on the fishing!

The material for that came from Sams and/or Walmart.