Lucky and Perfect. 10 Meter

[Serious News]

Sarasota Bay, looking toward Hyatt.
Mobilemercman

[Serious News]

No soot on transom and paint still on skegs. He's just rinsing. Never put a tool to her. Did not even lift hatch until final day.
Mobilemercman

[Ratickle]

Courtesy Shoot 2 Thrill Pix

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Thanks Paul for uploading my phone pix.

Thank you Ryan for EVERYTHING. I had a great time, met with some old friends, met some wonderful people and created new friendships. Ate fresh seafood everyday. Many large groups at lunch and dinner.

Looking forward to making the trip again next year.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Not sure where Lucky will go next.

Catalina, Lake Powell and LOTO are on the short list.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

I have only boated all three summer holidays once before some 25 years ago. Being a bilge rat for a living tends to get in the way of having any fun in the summer. I just completed the summer trifecta this season Memorial Day, the 4th and Labor Day. Did the local run and planning on the second local run the 17th.

Ive been spanking her good with some resistance now I need to be nicer to my old girl and stay off WOT for a while.

That's the new plan. My buddies don't believe its possible. I can only hope I have the strength to hold her back.

[phragle]

I have only boated all three summer holidays once before some 25 years ago. Being a bilge rat for a living tends to get in the way of having any fun in the summer. I just completed the summer trifecta this season Memorial Day, the 4th and Labor Day. Did the local run and planning on the second local run the 17th.

Ive been spanking her good with some resistance now I need to be nicer to my old girl and stay off WOT for a while.

That's the new plan. My buddies don't believe its possible. I can only hope I have the strength to hold her back.

life is good.....

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

life is good.....

Well...Let me put images to resistance

After 124 miles of short prop spanking on Memorial Day and 45 miles into next trip This happened while coming of plane.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Which led to this


After new rockers, one piece push rods, retainers, 10 degree locks, increased spring pressure on both engines. I tested

A week later

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Next time out was the first run. Which went with out a hitch 112 miles on the pins.




One of the first ones there. Not because I the fastest. Obviously , but was most willing to run the entire way hard.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

75 miles into next trip this happened bringing her up on plane. I tickler her up nice and easy every time.


Shafts are no longer available. Fortunately I have spares and was out the following weekend. Ran it with out a hitch.

Next run the 17th. I am ready.. But tired of working on her. Gonna try not exceed 5000.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Grandpa Jerry says, " Its hard work having fun".

[fund razor]

Looks like when Jim owns a boat, resistance is futile.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Hey Fund, I am hard on my boat no doubt. I don't have it to putt around. She is either worthy or not. Problem is shes old and stress is cumulative. No matter what I say or how hard I try I end up at WOT. My internal limiter has always been inoperable.

It should get easier to be easy on her. I am getting tired of fixing her.

I need to follow my own suggestions to others. Appreciate it for what she is. That is she is a nice old boat and treat her accordingly.

[fund razor]

I meant resistance was futile in that you could fix her as fast as something breaks.

[Ratickle]

If you put bigger engines in her you'll be able to be going faster yet when you break !!!

Awesome, right?

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

If you put bigger engines in her you'll be able to be going faster yet when you break !!!

Awesome, right?

Im breaking fatigued parts coming on and off plane. It wasn't been breaking while at speed. I don't have twisted prop shafts or twisted yokes. I have old parts failing.

I have yet to play with my water pick ups nor have I played with having a set of props built. I am sure there are a few mph in each.
I have tried a new set over Bravo one 26's. Boat did not like them. I hoped they would act as a cross between my Mirages and Hydros. They were not.
Boat runs light with neutral trim and 25 mirages. Great for cruising. Never wrung them out to get a top speed but, they go 76 easy.
My hydro 26s suck to cruise , doesn't carry well at cruise and they like to be trimmed out extra in flat. but offer the best speed and handling in choppy , sloppy water. consist 79. Has clicked 80.
Located a new set of 27 hydros I could try. I will one day. That would help me to decided which to have built a set of stern lifting 27 Mirages or trick set of Hydros.

Truth is I know I have played this old girl out. If I had some Konrads I could put the 1050's back on and side line my 800 cfm carbs. And if I were to do that might as well as add headers too. Maybe the next owner will be ready to spend. I already have good trannies, 800ft lb drive plates. Im working within my limitation of weak drives. Makes no sense to keep spending when I'll never get it back. I will trim my pick ups for grins. Maybe Ill find 4 or 5 mph there. Just haven't got to it yet. Been too busy fixing things from spanking her.
I know it doesnt matter what I spend or what I do to make her go faster the FUN METER will not move any further.

I do not want to wrench on her anymore, I just want to soap and fuel her..

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Ran our run Saturday. Great weather for a long day of fun.


Took it as easy as I am capable of running. Came home without so much as a hiccup.
Ran my mirages haven't seen it go over 76 with them.
Even got to watch the full moon come up over the lake.
Full moon boating is special to me.

[Ratickle]

So, with those props that will only run a top speed of 76 on the pins, you took it easy and only ran 74.8?

No wonder you had no problems!!

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

They are my cruise props for when I have a full boat. Ran them in Sarasota where they posted 76. I have never run them on the pins. They'll turn 5500 easy.

I spent the day for the most part with a full boat cruising around at 5000.