OP
OP
- Jun 3, 2007
- 1,213
- 2,070
- Detector(s) used
- A sharp eye, an AquaPulse and a finely tuned shrimp fork.
- Primary Interest:
- Shipwrecks
- Thread starter
- #21
Hi folks.
Sorry I have been absent, but long, hot, sometimes frustrating days are hard on my body and my cheerful disposition.
Good news to report.
We have the engine install 98% complete. The boat has been in the water for a test and is running very nicely. No more billowing clouds of smoke on cold startup like the big old TAMD 70C is famous for. The 20" x 24" 4-blade prop that was working so well with the old does not work with the new engine, so we are swapping props around. We bought a 3-blade bronze 18" from Capt Bonnie Schubert (Thanks, Bonnie!) that we are going to try and I have another 19 x 19 lined up to try if that one doesn't get 'er done. Prop size and pitch are very important on any boat, but especially on an inboard planing hull like the Stamas. We have to be able to be able to power up on top of the bow wave to achieve planing speeds, so just like having a real high or real low differential gear ratio in the back of your car...performance suffers.
So...in the morning...I begin by finishing wiring the new engine alarms, move the two fuel gauges out of the way and cut the dash panel to install the Volvo gauge panel, install and test the dash panel, chase down some wires that are no longer in use and either remove them or mark them as unused and available, install a brace under the helm station and wire the house battery. We also have to swap props, re-install the coffin box, blower and helm station and then reload all the gear that we took off (5 anchors, crown buoys, 1200' of anchor line) but heck...we ought to be done by dark...right? Then we have to test her and see if we truly have all of the bugs exterminated. Once I am confident that she's seaworthy, I'll be able to make a plan again.
Pray for/hope for/demand calm seas and westerly winds on the Treasure Coast.
More later!
Sorry I have been absent, but long, hot, sometimes frustrating days are hard on my body and my cheerful disposition.
Good news to report.
We have the engine install 98% complete. The boat has been in the water for a test and is running very nicely. No more billowing clouds of smoke on cold startup like the big old TAMD 70C is famous for. The 20" x 24" 4-blade prop that was working so well with the old does not work with the new engine, so we are swapping props around. We bought a 3-blade bronze 18" from Capt Bonnie Schubert (Thanks, Bonnie!) that we are going to try and I have another 19 x 19 lined up to try if that one doesn't get 'er done. Prop size and pitch are very important on any boat, but especially on an inboard planing hull like the Stamas. We have to be able to be able to power up on top of the bow wave to achieve planing speeds, so just like having a real high or real low differential gear ratio in the back of your car...performance suffers.
So...in the morning...I begin by finishing wiring the new engine alarms, move the two fuel gauges out of the way and cut the dash panel to install the Volvo gauge panel, install and test the dash panel, chase down some wires that are no longer in use and either remove them or mark them as unused and available, install a brace under the helm station and wire the house battery. We also have to swap props, re-install the coffin box, blower and helm station and then reload all the gear that we took off (5 anchors, crown buoys, 1200' of anchor line) but heck...we ought to be done by dark...right? Then we have to test her and see if we truly have all of the bugs exterminated. Once I am confident that she's seaworthy, I'll be able to make a plan again.
Pray for/hope for/demand calm seas and westerly winds on the Treasure Coast.
More later!
