That was a great read, thanks for staying so involved while looking foreward to the future.
But on Champion and Stratos yes you can take a razor blade and cut that sealant if you have everything unhooked from the back and it should slide right out. If I were going to use a putty knife around it I would lay a few layers of painters tape or such over the gel coat to help prevent scratching.
I bet you are pushing every bit of 3500 if not closer to 4,000 pounds if you have the optional saddle tanks full of fuel and all that storage full. Basstar gives SOLID advice on what is really improtant about towing. My rule of thumb is about 75% of what they say it will tow if you have trailer brakes.
Bundy, how much do you figure three big batteries, a charger, the TM, and a SS prop weigh (not included in dry boat or motor wieght)? At 250 pounds for oil and gas I assume you are planning on no saddle tanks and a gallon of oil. 700 pounds for that trailer? I would assume the five tires and wheels alone are close to 250 pounds. You would be surprised how much all your gear/tools actually weigh! Keep in mind the PIV is a large boat and you will likely have some wind resistance to deal with at highway speeds as well. Just trying to keep you safe. What are you planning to use as a tow rig?
It seems strange to read about JP setting the way Cat does em, as I am so used to measuring off pad height. Using the top of the plate sections makes it easier for new guys without a doubt. Misr, on a Slidemaster I like to take the lower unit and give it a couple of good shakes after I move the JP to make sure one side did not stick when moving up or down. I will measure both sides as well. Then I tighten the four side bolts back down after I put the barackets back flush with the plate. Then again I have been called “anal” about these things . Hyd Steering is indeed stiff, you just dont get that old fashioned torque from the prop like in the old cable steer days. I had forgotten just how bad that wore on your arms until I was running an old dual cable boat for a friend this summer. I swear my arms were tired in a half hour of testing. When I get my new FTD broke in and ready for set up like you are doing Ill keep a notebook with speeds at the different JP heights (itll be fine to measure from the top the way Cat does), water pressure, how it felt in the corners IE blow out or not, until I find the right prop and JP height for my boat and load. It normally takes me a few hours a several props to get one dialed in. If yours is chine walking take it slow and learn how to drive it before messing with all this above. You can always come to TN with a few props and take me fishing until I get mine. Glad to help out! P.S. Just from memory clockwise lowers, but dont hold me to that.
I have the 522 in dash on the new Sabre FTD I am waiting to get finished. I just got back from helping someone install a 522 and they were installing an external ant. I asked why if the unit had an internal and got the same reply as above. I guess I need to go ahead and add the ext ant to Sherms “to do” list on my boat. I fish all over the place and will not be happy the first time I am running a secondary channel and it loses signal! Did I mention I am foaming at the mouth to get back on the water LOL.
I have a friggen hot water heater in the back corner of my garage. If you put it there make sure you make the garage deep enough to go straight in! When I built the house in KY I made the attached garage 29 deep. MAN I MISS THAT GARAGE! If you need to angle the boat that water heater is in the way. Dont forget to plan on a long enough pad for backing if you have a side, or rear load garage.
Ive been eyeballing that one online as a way to spend some of my “bonus bucks? I would have to measure the center lockers, but imagine it may mount to either of them on the center brace. If it will I plan on Cooks rack in the rear center box (keeping most of the tackle weigh rear) and using the front center box for rain suits, life jackets, etc… (lighter items) and maybe that golden rule mounted to that lid.
I hope to be breaking in a new 150 Opti next week myself. I asked a couple of certified Merc mechanics the same question. I normally vary speeds for ten hours on a Yamaha with burst to WOT for no more than 5 mins after three hours. After ten hours I let em rip, take care of em with routine maint and they normally take care of you. The Merc crowd says 3 hours on the Optis before opening one up to WOT for a few mins. Ill get AT LEAST three hours on mine before I start messing with JP heights, props etc.. I found this thread on breaking in an Opti here on the BCB Owners board. The boat I am getting has the SC 1000 guages, however you can get a little hour meter that fits under the cowl for less than 45.00. http://basscatowners.yuku.com/topic/326 … craft.html
That is good news to know oldtimer!!! Ive always done most of my breakin time at level or “neutral” trim, not full trim down. Ive never owned an Opti, it sounds like they really want to plow to break em in. Its going to be a long three hours running like that LOL. For years I have said the life of a motor was routine maint along with good oil, warming em up good and letting one cool down after a long WOT run. The advice you are giving about the ECM and double oil may explain why I see so many new Opti owners foulng plugs on breakin? If you did not have enough load and it kept double oiling for several hours not under a load indeed you may tend to foul plugs.
If you have a larger boat youll want to go to the large decal to keep it looking right. Sherm did a fantastic job on these. In addition they are reflective, I look at that as a safety addition.
It only takes a few seconds to switch it back to split screen, but you have to do it first thing every trip. It DOES NOT automatically go back to the last screen viewed. I guesss I could get the owners manual out and read it.
A foot shorter than a PII or Classic.
If I am not mistaken the Uplander is rated to tow 2000 pounds. I normally feel OK using about 75% of a vehicles rating with trailer brakes. IMHO you will kill that mini van with a loaded Sabre.
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