Had the shake down cruise Saturday........

[mauryc]

....and yes, I forgot to take pics. Put the boat in the intercoastal fot the first time. Note to self: route the steering cable the right way in the helm. Its nice for the boat to turn left when you turn the wheel left! Knew something was amiss coming off the trailer. Had a 1/2" socket in the boat so I had the problem corrected in 5 minutes. Motor (175' Johnson) ran like a sewing machine hooked up to a fresh 6 gal. tank of fuel mix with a can of sea foam in it. Ran about 4 gallons through it when my daughter decided she wanted to go swimming. Shut her down for a while and when I restarted it there was a miss. Couldn't get it to smooth out so I put her back on the trailer. I replaced the plugs and made up 6 new plug wires over lunch thinking this would solve the problem. Launched her again in the afternoon, but the miss was still present. Will drop her off to get the carbs cleaned with new kits this week. Should have her back in the water Friday for round three. I'll bring the camera this time. Everything else went very smoothly. The tach came and went but that's not a pressing issue now. Lastly, I've got to get a ladder to get my 6 year old back in the boat. I wore myself out pulling her back in! :)

[reelapeelin]

I've got an "over-the -side" boarding ladder that hasn't been used in years ... if you wanna pay shippin', it's yours ... but to tell you the truth, you'd be better to go ahead and spend that shippin' money toward a swim-platform ... good money spent for LOTS of reasons...here's the one I got YEARS ago...this actually ain't a bad price

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...allpartial/0/0

This will mount port or starboard side...let me know about the ladder ;) ...

[mauryc]

Reel, your probably right. I just didn't need the expense of the swim platform right now with all the other $$ I'm spending on the boat to get her ready. Gotta think the carb rebuilding will run at least $300 with kits and labor. Are the over the side ladders to difficult to use? I don't want to hear my wife and daughter complaining the whole time we're out!

[reelapeelin]

Once you got 'em in place, it's probably easier to use than a platform ... storin' it between use is the only down-side ...

[Pipe_Dream]

The over-the-side ladders are okay, but as the gunwales on the V-20 are a little higher than some 20 footers they can still be difficult to climb.

The swim platform is much better IMHO, especially if you learn from my mistake and get one with a telescoping ladder. My platform came with only one step, but after using it (barely) once I replaced the one-step with a telescoping 3-step. It makes boarding sooo much easier.

[rb437]

I removed the single step ladder and replaced it with a telescoping douyble step. Also added a handle just above the rub rail. Works real well.

[reelapeelin]

YEAH!!...like that telescopin' ladder ya'll got ... where'd that come from?... 8) ...

[msbhammer]

No way, go with the Family size platform and ladder. ;)

[macojoe]

Keep at it flounder you will get there!!

As for the ladder get the 3 step they speak of, I keep saying I am goingto gte one, just never seem to have the cash?

I uase to have a over the side ladder and it worked great! But like stated it is a pain to store. The handles do fold so it ifs flat which makes it easier.

[Gator_Bait]

I just picked up a 3 step telescoping at Boater's World for $119. The Screw holes are a little narrower than the single step on the platform so I am trying to figure out how to brace it. Tracking down stainless is a pain it seems but I can get some 2" wide aluminum @ Lowe's or Home Depot that I think would work just as well so I will likely go that route. I only got in the water once so far and it was a workout pulling my fat arse up on that single step! ;D