Monster Fish time 8)

Gearing up the seacraft for attempts at swordfishing. Only changes I need to make are hooking up the second fuel tank (have used boat for a year without ever burning more than 30 gallons at a time), and to add a larger swivel base rod holder for the big rod. Gunnels will also be reinforced to better take the loads of the big rod.

Here is the large swivel base rod holder, sitting in a piece of AL that will become the backing plate.

[img]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/jrshine/2013-03-07165204.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/jrshine/2013-03-07165215.jpg[/img]


We I put the rod in a 15 degree holder, set drag to 30 lbs. and pull on the line, the gunnels flex a little. Nothing is going to break, but I dont like the see the flexing, so Im going to add a little piece to the sides of the hull and the inside of the coaming, basically box it. Will be hidden from view, but it will stiffen up the area around the new rod holder

Nice shot of the bow of the secraft, running about 30. Sun "erupting" from to of storm cloud. Small water spout came out a little later.

[img]http://gallery.bateau2.com/albums/userpics/12155/normal_In_to_the_storm.jpg[/img]

for those that want a less expensive alternative to the standard fuel flow instruments, I tried the Faria gauge and its working pretty good

[img]http://www.boatstore.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/F/A/FAR_FFM024.jpg[/img]

It is under $250 and comes with the sender. Its also a smaller gauge, which I like.

3 blade 21 pitch was a bust, bad slipping (motor is a little high) and bad numbers.

bought a new merc revolution 4 blade 19 pitch and reproduced same numbers as the test, 4000 RPM gave 29.5 mph and 8 gph. When I was out of the wind, it was actually below 8 gph .

I confirmed the fuel flow meter is accurate, filled it up, ran it, said 17.8 gallon burned. Took 17.9 gallons when I filled her up. I think at dead idle the flow is too slow to measure and that accounts for the .5 % inaccuracy, or maybe it was warmer when I filled up and gas expansion accounts for it

I super happy with this: over 3.5 mile per gallon. Now if the wind would just let up I can take her fishing again

8) :D I'm getting low on filets too.

Decided to keep boat. Re-powered with 2006 F250, found one with less than 500 hours for a decent deal. Mid range power is noticeably different, will be able to turn at least one size bigger prop in pitch. :) Just in time too, I am down to the last couple packs of filets

[img]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/jrshine/IMG950886.jpg[/img]

BOAT IS FOR SALE.....

[url]http://treasure.craigslist.org/boa/3293628916.html[/url]

[b]UPDATE: The boat is finished and here is link to the tutorial [/b]

SeaCraft rebuild from start to finish .... [url]http://www.bateau2.com/howto/seacraft/index.php[/url]

trim is excellent, very happy with the weights.

Right now I am only using the front tank, I don't even want to put gas in the rear tank for fear it will get stale before I use it. I could have used the space between the rear tank and then bilge a little better, its wasted space right now.

Let me know when you get into marathon and we can take it out for a run. :)