Al the Mirthmaker (Mark III)

[pond tuuunes]

[tuned]

Put a little push on finally because the ice is almost thinking of going out...well....ummm

OK maybe a couple more weeks. Super busy at work for two weeks too. Am I gonna get stuck with that damn trophy this year?

Back to brazing


There I built something


It was a fairly complex structure with some rabbit cuts etc...


It fits nicely. Black side skin is cut and diamond plate for the top of it.


Some more complex multi-level racks for something or other


Doghouse got some goodies. Bench and track for sundeck build (see previous pic). And some strategically placed handles. Yay! That beastie is getting a bit heavy and awkward.


Finally, this thingy. Any guesses? Its a tough one, but of course it is something that I built with my own three hands. When is it every easy?

Here's a hint: It will make my life a LOT easier

[tuned]

Put a little push on finally because the ice is almost thinking of going out...well....ummm

OK maybe a couple more weeks. Super busy at work for two weeks too. Am I gonna get stuck with that damn trophy this year?

Same viewish-A SLIVER OF OPEN WATER! A closer look reveals a rather large sheet of ice STILL looming ominously out on the big water. In mid-May. Unreal.


Here's what that bench is for. I laid on it for several hours the other day and finalized most of my engine wiring. Very comfy with the rubber pad glued to it. It did indeed make my poor old back much happier and will continue to do so for years to come.



Sundeck structure starting to take shape.

[curtiscapk]

awesome Todd!

[redbeard]

Looks great man.

[fergusmj]

looks good!

[tuned]

Quick update and WARNING. Barring complications, I have moved my tentative launch date forward a bit, so you laggards better get a move on or your trophy awaits

Of course 'complications' is a rather wide open word. Here's my potential deal breakers:
1. Rainy STILL has ice, but it should be clear in a day or four. My marina bay is open so I can at least get a test run, unless the wind changes and blows it all into my shore.
2. Finally got my outdrive back. Perfect skeg repair! I can't even tell where they welded it or painted it. A bargain at $110. From now on, I'm gonna be extra careful around the rocks...in my driveway. After install, it doesn't shift quite right. This could be an issue, but most likely is just a touchy cable adjustment (2 cables on I/Os). After all the motor work and moving the shift plate etc...this is to be expected. What I didn't expect was not being able to find the $10 plastic adjustment tool that I used last year and is critical to the task. So waiting impatiently for another one.
3. After completing final wiring, a quick test of the new in-tank fuel pump and assorted hoses yielded no gushers, although I did detect a faint odor that I need to track down. Fortunately, I now have TWO independent fume sniffers in the bilge that automatically turn on TWO bilge blowers. A third sniffer in the battery compartment (yep I'm a safety freak). I also need to final adjust the fuel pressure regulator.

ECU controller at helm booted right up and all codes cleared! Basically ready to test fire (again) once I get it pulled out from the shed. Looking forward to running it on the garden hose for a longer period so the computer can 'learn' and lean out a bit. Looking forward to not having to breath so much smoke this time
A fair amount of cosmetic work to finalize on my trunk lid/exhaust cutout cover that I have to do before launch.
Fortunately I finally have several days off, a ton of motivation, and cooperative weather (sort of). Lots to do, but things are looking up.

Did I forget to mention when I am hoping to launch? I did, didn't I....ahem...Rob...Ferg....Ty...Craig....Bob...Bryden? It looks like it might be a close one this year hehe
BTW, Ferg, after giving it much thought, my humble opinion is that a successful 'launch' also needs to include a successful 'landing'

[curtiscapk]

[fergusmj]

Alright fellas....its on!!!!!!

[pond tuuunes]

Ya have me beat Todd, im so far behind I might just take the season off. JT

[tuned]

Ya have me beat Todd, im so far behind I might just take the season off. JT

THAT's not good. Do ya need me to pop over and motervate ur *ss?

Don't admit defeat just yet. I had just mentioned 'complications' and talked a little smack. Well karma has a sense of humor it seems. Fuel system is worse than I had originally thought. One barely leak in the injector area. More of a moist spot. Solvable.

Bbbuttt. There was a much larger leak in the tank area where I mounted the fuel pump. There are several small fittings in the area which makes it tough to find. This could be a deal breaker for a bit and possibly removal of my pump which is a bunch of messin' about.

The rest is going well. Engine fully wired, tidied and ready. Outdrive on and full. Outer tubes plugged and aired to 3.5psi. Back rack area is really starting to shape up. Money shots soon. Launch??? Well not so much. Unless I get lucky.

So I was messing around with an editing program and...I don't know if its art, but I like it.
I call it 'OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW'

I'm going from an old Merc 3 blade (Mirage Plus) 19p to a 4 blade Powertech OFS 15p. Excited. I already tried a Powertech midline 4 blade (ELE) and liked it, so I traded up. The OFS (Offshore) is the stud prop for these guys and is very well regarded. They will swap props (for a fee) until I am happy. Likely I will end up with a 16p or 17p in the OFS .

[pond tuuunes]

Well???? Keep us posted!

[tuned]

Well???? Keep us posted!

Aaargh. Don't get me started. Between working like a dog (at regular work) and working like a dog (on boat) and working like a dog (at mom's), I'm STILL in friggin dry-dock.

Lake ice went out about a week ago (2nd latest in history) and it is now 91 outside...instant summer. I just keep hitting small hurdles and jumping over them only to find another in my way. Down to the last one (I hope) but waiting on parts. I tried to overnight it yesterday but stupid Wells Fargo put a 'hold' on the transaction even tho the card was perfectly fine. To quote a phrase I learned right here on this forum....Assclowns.. They thought the vendor looked 'suspicious'. I chewed them out and fixed it.

Even tho I am finally on vacation for two weeks, I now need to wait til Monday to fix my final tiny fuel leak. I just can't be comfortable launching with it that way, despite my numerous safety systems. On the plus side, I have very carefully been running motor (in boat now) daily on the garden hose. Yesterday, the ECU has finally learned enough to run properly on the low end at least. It cold started up nicely, ran with a fast idle until warm and then backed down to 750rpm, all nice and smooth. YAY! I wouldn't have been able to launch without this anyway, because I wouldn't have been able to maneuver at the marina. I fully expect the mid and high range to be rough as well, then settle down in time.

So there is nothing major left to do but impatiently wait until Monday now. Guess I'll have to pop over to Woody's Fairly Reliable Guide Service pub and jam with the homies Great stress relief. Side note on Woody's-the tv crews wrapped up shooting and are now cutting up 5 'pilot episodes'. Not sure of air date yet.

JT-it sounded as if you were having second thoughts about launching this summer, or perhaps other issues. I hope you work it out. I was serious about heading your way sometime. I have a lot of vacation coming my way this summer and I would love to see that monster in person!

[pond tuuunes]

Todd, you are welcome here anytime. My biggest hurdle here is money, i spoke with a guy that has the same toon as me, but bigger engine (1350hp). He says I need to have a support plate welded to the center toon under the engine. I bought the plate, but welder wants $700 to weld it. Engine is ready, so as soon as I get plate welded, IT ON!!!! JT

[tuned]

Copy that and 10-4.
These games we play sure ain't cheap, are they? I shudder to think of my investment in the last two years.