1982 Pro Line Flatback

[hopefishing]

Wow! What a great looking boat! I can't wait to hear how she handles with that Zuke 175. I'm using the same motor on my 22-2. Where did you find that upper station steering wheel? Edson?

The Suzuki is also something I cant wait to run. I have only had yamahas on my boats in the past, and if all the rumors are true, I think I will be very pleased with the Suzuki. On the steering wheel, my builder installed it. I will ask him the next time I talk with him.

[Necessary Evil]

I thought about motors a lot. Yam's are definitely more numerous in my area, but the big bore, four cylinder inline Zuke really got my attention. It's just about 200 cc's smaller than the Yam v6, so I thought it might be torquier and more fuel efficient. Cannot wait to try it out.

[hopefishing]

Well the past two days have been a mad rush trying to make tomorrows deadline. It does not look promising though that I will be able to use the new boat for tomorrows charter. Due to a few motor issues, looks more like Thursday before she is ready. But it is most certainly not for a lack of trying by anyone who has been involved with this entire project. Today she is having the outboard complelety serviced, new water pump installed. She got surveyed, and also got her decals installed. I got a few pictures of the decals for yall to see.

[CaptSteveBetz]

Looks great Charlie!    I hope your motor issues are only minor. Cant imagine to much being wrong with those low hours.

[hopefishing]

Well I finally got her in the water this weekend and put her thru some paces. I must say, I am allready in love. She is responsive, and rides very soft. I ran her about 40 miles today and its what I dreamed about. It will take me a bit to figure out the sweet spot for the portabracket, but I love that allready. lol, I am going to owens and sons on Tues or Weds to have a boarding ladder put on, Climbing up and down is not gonna work for me. i have been spoiled all these years with the other boat I see. Overall, I love the boat, she is well built and a pleasure to run. I am going to head out and fish her alot over the next week, so I will get more pics and thoughts on here as I am on the hill.

[Aswaff400]

Well I finally got her in the water this weekend and put her thru some paces. I must say, I am allready in love. She is responsive, and rides very soft. I ran her about 40 miles today and its what I dreamed about. It will take me a bit to figure out the sweet spot for the portabracket, but I love that allready. lol, I am going to owens and sons on Tues or Weds to have a boarding ladder put on, Climbing up and down is not gonna work for me. i have been spoiled all these years with the other boat I see. Overall, I love the boat, she is well built and a pleasure to run. I am going to head out and fish her alot over the next week, so I will get more pics and thoughts on here as I am on the hill.

if youll be around on tues or weds, let me know, i'd love to take a look at here

[saltfly]

The boat looks great.That Airborne tab looks good. Now all you need to put on is a Ranger tab as well.

[hopefishing]

Ranger school was one that eluded me during my time in. I was a leg EOD for a while then got assigned to operations at Bragg so got Jump and air assualt school. But your right, a ranger tab would of looked good on that tank. I debated on putting the jump wings and my EOD badge on there, but ended up with the tab and guy fawkes instead. Liked the look.

[saltfly]

I break out my wings and tabs along with a arrow head patch with a sword and three lighting bolts. Only once a year. Memorial day to honor those that didn’t come back. I guess I still have mixed feels from my years of service. (1965 to 1971) The detachment I served in (1966 to 1969) was disbanded in 1975. They said we served no more useful purpose. As far as we were concerned. Our jobs were not over, as long as their were still MIA’s. So I guess I still have a bad taste in my mouth. But I digress. The boat is something to be proud of . It looks great.  

[hopefishing]

I served a little later in time than yourself -95-2001. Worked with your fellow snake eaters ALOT though. Those guys were the true "silent proffesionals". I thank you for your sacrifices. And also thank you for the boat compliments on the boat. I take alot of veterans and will now try to get involved with the wounded warriors. My hope is the tab will be a source of instant brotherhood for some of the people who come aboard. I may meet my customers for the first time on the day of a charter, but certain folks are going to know we share a common thread and history. And if thats what happens then it is sure worth it. I

[hopefishing]

Well I finally got her in the water this weekend and put her thru some paces. I must say, I am allready in love. She is responsive, and rides very soft. I ran her about 40 miles today and its what I dreamed about. It will take me a bit to figure out the sweet spot for the portabracket, but I love that allready. lol, I am going to owens and sons on Tues or Weds to have a boarding ladder put on, Climbing up and down is not gonna work for me. i have been spoiled all these years with the other boat I see. Overall, I love the boat, she is well built and a pleasure to run. I am going to head out and fish her alot over the next week, so I will get more pics and thoughts on here as I am on the hill.

if youll be around on tues or weds, let me know, i'd love to take a look at here

I am going to be at Owens and Sons on Wednesday morning first thing. Going to be there around 0830 if you wanted to check out the boat.
Capt Charlie

[Blue Agave]

Boat looks awesome!  Congrats!

[Capt Matt]

Charlie
A few tips on the porta lift
when on plane keep the motor trimmed just about level and lift up the bracket until the spray stops coming off the lower unit. play with the trim till the wheel is easy to steer. You will find the sweet spot.
I keep coming up on the bracket till the motor blows out then drop it enough that the prop fully bites.
Once you find the sweet spot on the trim and bracketyou may have to drop the motor on the bracket a little when coming up on plane so it does not blow out. In rough conditions you will need to drop the bracket a little more to keep your props bite.
Lennco tabs will really help your ride too, the sides of these boats are so high they are really effected in a cross wind and when running into the waves
Enjoy your ride, its just a learning curve
 she looks sweet
Capt Matt

[gran398]

Charlie,

She is beautiful in the water. Congratulations, and tight lines

[hopefishing]

Thanks for the compliments. And also thanks Matt for the portabracket advice. What you said is basically what I have been doing. Its taking me a bit to remember that I have more movement now. I think I am going to love it once I get used to it. At first I was thinking how stupid I was to add all this stuff that I didnt know how to use. I love the range of motion the portabrackt offers.  I must also say this Suzuki is impressing me. The low end torque is very very impressive. And at an idle this is a quietier motor than my yamaha. So a little more time on that will tell if that continues. Last week on the way to a charter my other boat got slammed by a yahoo that failed to stop for a traffic signal. So I have been dealing with all the associated crap that comes with that. Trailer totaled, boat came off the trailer and slid for about 100'. A real travesty, so I have not been on the new boat as much as I had hoped, but changing that soon.