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It sounds like you are having a whale of time (sorry about that)! I am looking forward to following your progress. Please post pictures as you have time.
Will do Doug, but you did see the link to photo bucket with the photo's on the trip from Venice Fla back to Texas?
Looks like my first run will have to wait till tomorrow, as am backed up big time from being gone. More to come, and new photo updates will be in before weekend is out.
Hmm, no takers on the signed autograph dart board picture???
just a quick update. Have major winds, 20 to gusts to 30 MPH and there is no way i can launch as much as i would like to in these conditions with a significant other of a little over 100 lbs. So, will sit tight and hopefully launch before the 3 day weekend is over.
appreciate it wezie! Still hoping to get a launch in this weekend. High winds are still prevailing, and as some of the Whaler folks know that have used our ramps on the island, they are not really user friendly, with the majority of concrete showing. I know how my 22's are effected by the wind, and no doubt with 27 foot of windage, plus the T Top, it could get ugly. Something i will get used to, but not the first time out. So, chewing my lower lip and waiting.........
I did see the travel pictures. As far as getting her in the water soon, it's best not to be in a big hurry, especially the first time. I have found a new boat needs to be "learned", if you know what I mean. Let 'er calm down.
Update: finally got her in the water, still was blowing pretty hard from 90 degrees off the port side, so I opted to do a first, which was put my first mate behind the wheel after I got the trailer lined up and only a couple of feet from the water to back down while I handled both the bow and stern lines. Didn't think her only a tad over 100 lbs would stand a chance of holding the boat. I held my breath as she back my 2010 King Ranch towards the water (GULP) and prayed she stop when I called out, and not freak and hit the gas. All the worrying was for naught, as she handled it like a champ, and the new boat went into the water like a fish. No issues tying up, although thanks to my very unfriendly launch pad, I had to use to sign posts to tie up to so I could keep the boat off the concrete sides, with little in the way of wood (I don't know what moron designed the thing, but he definitely was NOT a boater) and we prepared to take off.
The boat ride was unbelievable, with even a good up to one foot chop into the wind you couldn't even feel it as we cruised up the intercostal towards Snoopies. Here's where it gets interesting........
I ran up into the wind about 30 MPH and once I passed the bridge, about 3 or 4 miles up, turned downwind and went to WOT with both motors. Where at lower RPM's they matched with the throttles at the same position, I noted the port motor was turning about 600 RPM's more then the STRB at WOT and the most I could get out of the Port was 4800 RPM's, with the STRB about 4200. I also noted the STRB throttle was very stiff, even though with my original visit and test drive, noted same, and the owner said he had it replaced it still was extremely stiff. I will have to disconnect and see if the problem is still there with the cable disconnected, or I have another associated problem enternal to the motor itself. I also noted the STRB motor "bobbed" fore and aft slightly while doing approximately 39/40 MPH at top speed of 4800 on the port and 4200 on the STRB, slightly but enough so, that I came off WOT so I would not damage the WD till I figured out what was keeping the STRB motor lagging. I'm assuming the bobbing was from the Port motor dragging the STRB through the water.
Only other issue I had was the trim on the Port motor is not reflecting the correct change of trim on my indicator, but other then that, the boat is running very well, and had a hell of a good time taking her out.
As far as the RPM's and the props, one of my other two 22 CC Whalers has a 1988 200 Yamaha motor and the prop is stamped 17-M. The Props on the 25 are 19's, so I'm assuming I probably need to get a pair of 17 counter rotating props to get my RPM's up around the 5500/5600 range, which I assume is the normal top end running speed of these motors.
I will say one thing, Tom Clark was partially correct, if you can't navigate worth a hoot, this thing will allow you to make some major mistakes, and correct pivoting mid-stream, however, I have a Brother who I would no sooner allow to dock this boat jockeying the 2 controls, then I would put a gun to my head and play Russian roulette. I don't even trust him with one throttle to play with! Some got it, some don't!
So, the boats out of the water, heading to have the replacement T-Top installed this thursday, then on to have the stress cracks in the WD repaired. The new bow pulpit has shipped, and expect it by Sat. Will be doing my homework on the props/ vrs RPM's , and appreciate any inputs based on the info I provided today.
All in all, was very happy with my purchase, and have already received alot of compliments on her. I have a great photo i will post to my photo bucket showing her in the water next to my 22 in the boat lift sling. The difference is unbelievable, looks like a distroyer, vrs a battleship. I will also update some other photo closeups before i head to the T Top place on Thurs. Just uploaded the update, is now first photo.
