The BIG day!!

[Bluesbrother]

So after nearly two years, all kinds of problems, lots of blood sweat and tears it finally happened. We took Blues Brothers out for the first time. Although she is not completely finished yet (pictures posted in the gallery), I decided to take her out for a break in cruise. The new Johnson 115 Hp 4 stroke mounted and purring like a kitten. The break in of these motors is apparently very critical so I read the manual at least 5 times before we went. After I arrived on the beach I slowly eased her of the trailer and off we were! We laid in the harbor for about 25 minutes and then we went out to sea. I had never been on the water in this boat as it was in really bad shape when I got her, so it was all new to me. I was surprised on how stable she is with the hardtop. The motorsound also is something new, the four strokes' sound is quite different than what I was used to. After cruising arround a bit it was time to go back in, with about 2,5 hours on the counter. ( I couldn't exceed 3000 rpm for break in first 2 hours)
The next day we went out again, this time only two people ( instead of 4 adults day before) We went in at a different location and found strong winds (30 knots) we came with the wind and with the swells, no perticulars. I got to the calm area with about 2 ft chop and we planed the boat at 3700 rpm, and I could back off to about 3150 rpm still on a plane.  We got to a point where we needed to go through a stretch with 40 knots measured head winds, at 0knot speed! I needed 3400 rpm just to keep forward momentum and keep the nose up high! The boat and motor passed with flying colors, it was not a day I would normally go out on, but at least I know she can handle anything.
I had the motor at 4500rpm one time making really good speed, next weekend I am hoping on a bit less wind to really test the top of the motor and I will post the results. She planes easy though, even with the TTop, and the amount of shade this provides is easily worth the (possible) sacrifice in speed. I ran with a 14X19 alu prop.  

[DEFIANT]

Congratulations!!

It has been a long time coming!

[Kaczki]

Nice job!

[JimCt]

Hat's off to a Great Job, Blues!

A two year job is a big contract to take on but those first few minutes afloat & underway were the matchless payoff... Congratulations!  She is truly your boat now.

[RickK]

Hey congrats BB.  With all the hassle you went through, just with the motor, you definitely deserve a happy ending.  The color is a nice choice and the way you brought the color up onto the dash was a good idea. Did the floor come out the way you wanted it to?  Never seen wood gunnel tops on an AS. Looking good!!

OT - are you building a new house? Rebuilding?

[Bluesbrother]

Thanks to all!  Yes it was worth it. I have made quite some changes/modifications. When I got the boat she had wooden gunneltops, I replaced them with teak ones. The floor isn't right yet, the gell coat remains partially sticky when the sun is on it, I will have to put one more coat over it if I find out with what. I am very happy with the changed scupper situation, any water that comes over the stern is gone within seconds. (ball scuppers, raised one to floor level and one in the gutter)
Also the 6.5" lift of the console makes for easy steering. I'll be working on her for some time to come but at least I can take her out. My 7 year old daughter finally stopped asking me if it was ready yet (for 2 years) 8)

[Argo]

man, I cant wait till my day comes, it has been 14 months since my last trip offshore on it.  81 245CCP with bracket and soon to be hanging twin 140 j/s