I frantically put the boat back together this afternoon and decided to drive it. I had already accomplished the task of steering cable change out. Just cannot wait until spring to drive...and it is a very slow day at work.
A good buddy lost his mother to cancer on Tuesday, so he was looking for a distraction, so off we went to a little lake 20 minutes away. He backed me in, I cautiously left her on the trailer and fired it up. All systems go! He backed me up further to floating, then the learning began.
1. The boat backs up like a drunk grandma! I knew they backed to starboard. I KNEW that. But, the first time I experienced the sensation (think I/O owner) I was amazed at how futile right curving reverse is! I laughed and moved on learning.
2. The boat moves into forward gear in a very subtle manner. No I/O clunk. Interesting to me. The lever also moves much easier for some reason. Is it in gear? Is it neutral? Who knows. I sneaked to the dock and retrieved my buddy (then backed up to the right again).
3. Putzing out a bit, I let it warm up. Steering is light (new cable). Boat sits low to the water (think I/O tritoon owner). Exhaust is QUIET. I am amazed. This thing is going to be near silent with my FAE I ordered! Cool! A little rumble, but very gentlemanly. Okay its warmed up, lets go faster.
4. Holy %$&*!!! This bad boy LEAPS out of the water. WOW. Again, think I/O tritoon owner. I am really impressed at the acceleration. I make a mental not to NOT pull each and every arm off of all my kids and guests.
5. ISSUE FOUND: Shoot! Speedometer is not working. Damn. Make a note to check tigeowners.com later to see what that could be. My inspection pre-buy, it was working, and that was just days ago. ANY IDEAS?
6. We are ripping across the windy lake. It feels so weird to be so close to the water (tritoon habits again). I love it! I am playing with TAPS and getting a feel for bow height and wakes resulting. Slalom wake looks nice, wakeboard wake as well. This is with no ballast at the moment. Steering is light. I slow down and get ready for another hole shot.
7. ANOTHER ISSUE FOUND: As I rip a hole shot, the steering wheel shudders and "clacks." I instantly think a crooked rudder has met huge prop thrust and "jumped" the gears in my helm. IS THIS POSSIBLE? The steering cable is brand new, but I could not see the helm gears when I installed. It is very solid lock to lock, and I cannot get it to slip when I go lock to lock with some force......what the heck is going on? I continue to drive, and the wheel seems crooked when going straight. Then I slow down and it doesn't seem crooked anymore. I am confused. Then on another harder turn it shudders again, same sound. Is this rudder buffeting, or are the gears jumping? I decide to take it easy on the wheel. There are no other boats out and I don't need to be stranded.
8. We slow to a surf speed. I can tell with a couple thousand lbs, this wake is gonna be HUGE. I get really really excited. We fuss with the Kicker sound system and are super impressed. The thing rocks big time. Time to go back to docks. I gingerly approach the docks and sort of side swipe her in on the port side. Not too bad, wind aided a bit. Once in reverse with some throttle, the wheel shuddered again. What the hell? So odd.
9. I decide to walk it onto trailer--safest bet, and this thing steers WEIRD. Matt backs the rig down the ramp, and I get another wild hair.....shoot if I am ever gonna get the balls to drive it on, it is now. I note in my head how much tracking fins repair is going to cost me when this is over. I also note the guideons are NOT on my trailer, poor decision. Nevertheless, I am in anyway.
10. I carry a little head of steam to keep positive directional control, and center the boat on the bunks. Up I go! I AM SAFE! I gas her a bit and move up the bunks. An easy few cranks and we are done-zo! I am so curious to see the rudder after I center the wheel.....will it be straight or off?
THE DAMN THING IS DEAD STRAIGHT. Can someone offer an explanation for what was happening? Or did it slip back and forth just right to end up centered again?! I find that unlikely...?
Mission accomplished, time to go home. Matt has to do some funeral stuff for his mom, but was super glad to get out of the house. Lots of nerves, some pleasant surprises and some not so pleasant surprises (speedo and steering noise/shaking). Now I can winterize in good conscience and do the ballast system.
It is obvious this new toy is going to be a HOOT!
A good buddy lost his mother to cancer on Tuesday, so he was looking for a distraction, so off we went to a little lake 20 minutes away. He backed me in, I cautiously left her on the trailer and fired it up. All systems go! He backed me up further to floating, then the learning began.
1. The boat backs up like a drunk grandma! I knew they backed to starboard. I KNEW that. But, the first time I experienced the sensation (think I/O owner) I was amazed at how futile right curving reverse is! I laughed and moved on learning.
2. The boat moves into forward gear in a very subtle manner. No I/O clunk. Interesting to me. The lever also moves much easier for some reason. Is it in gear? Is it neutral? Who knows. I sneaked to the dock and retrieved my buddy (then backed up to the right again).
3. Putzing out a bit, I let it warm up. Steering is light (new cable). Boat sits low to the water (think I/O tritoon owner). Exhaust is QUIET. I am amazed. This thing is going to be near silent with my FAE I ordered! Cool! A little rumble, but very gentlemanly. Okay its warmed up, lets go faster.
4. Holy %$&*!!! This bad boy LEAPS out of the water. WOW. Again, think I/O tritoon owner. I am really impressed at the acceleration. I make a mental not to NOT pull each and every arm off of all my kids and guests.
5. ISSUE FOUND: Shoot! Speedometer is not working. Damn. Make a note to check tigeowners.com later to see what that could be. My inspection pre-buy, it was working, and that was just days ago. ANY IDEAS?
6. We are ripping across the windy lake. It feels so weird to be so close to the water (tritoon habits again). I love it! I am playing with TAPS and getting a feel for bow height and wakes resulting. Slalom wake looks nice, wakeboard wake as well. This is with no ballast at the moment. Steering is light. I slow down and get ready for another hole shot.
7. ANOTHER ISSUE FOUND: As I rip a hole shot, the steering wheel shudders and "clacks." I instantly think a crooked rudder has met huge prop thrust and "jumped" the gears in my helm. IS THIS POSSIBLE? The steering cable is brand new, but I could not see the helm gears when I installed. It is very solid lock to lock, and I cannot get it to slip when I go lock to lock with some force......what the heck is going on? I continue to drive, and the wheel seems crooked when going straight. Then I slow down and it doesn't seem crooked anymore. I am confused. Then on another harder turn it shudders again, same sound. Is this rudder buffeting, or are the gears jumping? I decide to take it easy on the wheel. There are no other boats out and I don't need to be stranded.
8. We slow to a surf speed. I can tell with a couple thousand lbs, this wake is gonna be HUGE. I get really really excited. We fuss with the Kicker sound system and are super impressed. The thing rocks big time. Time to go back to docks. I gingerly approach the docks and sort of side swipe her in on the port side. Not too bad, wind aided a bit. Once in reverse with some throttle, the wheel shuddered again. What the hell? So odd.
9. I decide to walk it onto trailer--safest bet, and this thing steers WEIRD. Matt backs the rig down the ramp, and I get another wild hair.....shoot if I am ever gonna get the balls to drive it on, it is now. I note in my head how much tracking fins repair is going to cost me when this is over. I also note the guideons are NOT on my trailer, poor decision. Nevertheless, I am in anyway.
10. I carry a little head of steam to keep positive directional control, and center the boat on the bunks. Up I go! I AM SAFE! I gas her a bit and move up the bunks. An easy few cranks and we are done-zo! I am so curious to see the rudder after I center the wheel.....will it be straight or off?
THE DAMN THING IS DEAD STRAIGHT. Can someone offer an explanation for what was happening? Or did it slip back and forth just right to end up centered again?! I find that unlikely...?
Mission accomplished, time to go home. Matt has to do some funeral stuff for his mom, but was super glad to get out of the house. Lots of nerves, some pleasant surprises and some not so pleasant surprises (speedo and steering noise/shaking). Now I can winterize in good conscience and do the ballast system.
It is obvious this new toy is going to be a HOOT!
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