Splash Down

[willy]

Well Boys Willy is up and running. Finally ;D
Took Old School out of Atlantic Highlands yesterday, pretty day, winds kicked up hard in afternoon at tide change as usual. Went out for Flounder, no Flounder, guys said been very few all week. Picked up a couple of racer Blue's fishing for Stripers. Big Stripes are not in yet, another week or two.
The GOOD news, lowering the engine 2 3/4 " made all the difference, can trim up engine in a good chop now w/o any ventilating of the prop. Seems like another 1.5 " would have been perfect but can't get any more.
Went out with an old timer here and he said he had not been on a V20 for over 20 years and now remembers why he likes them so much, he could not believe the ride and how dry it was even in the strong afternoon winds and waves.
Even though another 1.5 " would probably be perfect measurement wise I don't think it would be engine dunking wise. I only have a 115 and it rides plenty close enough as it is. A couple more inches and it will get splashed a lot. I'm putting the kicker bracket and motor on this week and that adds another 100 lbs. to the back and my friend says it will lower the motor a little there.
He says the V's always rode bow heavy and tended to stuff the bow in rough seas but that weight up front is what lets me ride thru the chop so smooth. I do notice at rest that my boat at least, sits almost perfectly level, almost slightly bow low, he said having that bow pulpit and heavy anchor sticking out front also adds a little forward tilt, especially since I have the V4 engine in back instead of the heavier V6's to counter balance it.
Anyhow she's in and riding nice, engine ticking away sweet electronics all up and running and Willy is smiling ;D
Oh and with full tank, two guys and coolers and enclosure up in a medium chop I maxed out at 5300 rpm and 34 mph on my fancy shmancy new GPS, someone had asked before.