Additional video!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
FIRST LAUNCH AND MAIDEN VOYAGE!!
July 4th, 2012 was a very special day!! I launched my new boat at my brothers cabin near Kingman, Kansas where he has about a 40 acre lake. Most of my immediate family was there to watch the launch and maiden voyage.
The boat was christened "Lil Bump" by my mother using a christening fluid (Mead (honey, water and yeast)) that I made back on Christmas Day 2005. It has become of age and is now very drinkable and tasty! Lil Bump loved it!!!
The boat ramp was pretty steep but it floated off of the trailer with no problems. The motor started right up the first time again and I was off. I did some slow cruising for a few minutes, then slowly stepped up the speed until I was going at full speed. I ran up with my son who was on his stand-up Jet Ski and he would barely pull ahead of me. His Jet Ski has been clocked at 42 mph, so I think I was doing at least 35 mph, maybe more!
Lil Bump is very stable when slow or when a full speed, even in the turns.
Those are my twin boys, Byron in the yellow life jacket helping launch the boat, and Matthew in my boat in the blue shirt.
Thanks to my dad, Bob Wiechman, who took all of the photos!!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Engine Test Run Video
This is the test run first start of this engine since I got it over a year ago!
Launching Boat July 4th 2012!! Battery Cables; Motor Test Run; Test Towed
Today, I made the battery cables and installed them along with a new 24 Series battery.
I also test run the engine for the first time, and it started right up on the first time! All I had to do was adjust the idle rpm very slightly and it ran fine and shifted fine. The real test will be in the lake tomorrow!!
This boat will launch tomorrow on July 4th, 2012!!!!
I hooked the boat and trailer up to my truck and towed it to Cheney Lake and back with no problems. The hubs seemed to get a little too warm, but the trailer towed great. You can hardly tell you are pulling anything. Got some photos by the water too!
LAUNCHING TOMORROW JULY 4TH 2012!!!!!!!!!!
5 hours
Monday, July 2, 2012
Motor and Controls Installed; Seats Installed; Etc.
Today, I got all of the controls and steering installed for the outboard motor. I only have the battery, battery cables and fuel to finish everything so I can start it up!!
I also installed the black window frames with 6/32" stainless steel screws and nylok nuts.
I will tell more through pictures today....
8 hours
Test Fit The Outboard; Window Frames Second Coat
I also test fit the 25 HP Johnson outboard motor to the transom. It did not set flush to the top of the transom due to back of the boat motor mount having a curvature to it. So, I had to remove it and sand a small area on each side to account for that, as well as put some more epoxy on them to seal them. I also drilled a hole in the lower part of the mount to put a 1/4" bolt through the transom to give it more support. The holes that are already in the motor mount are too far outboard. I still may put a lag screw there, but I doubt it.
5 hours
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