Jeeez......I thought it was time for "happy Hour" at 5:10 pm, not working on SeaCrafts?? It's really looking good Ken!!! You and Mel should be quite proud :)

I may have missed it.

Are you running Bennett Bolts?

Who made your switch panel?

It really came together well.

Looking amazing!

Yeah, he's running the Bolts, see post #186. Let's hope the Yamaha purchase of Bennett does not affect their outstanding customer service or quality of their product!!!!

Nice Dash Layout. We've flattened the Helm Dashbox and are going the same direction with the bracket-mounted electronics. Are those 12" Garmins? Trying to get an idea of the space we're working with for displays..

Theoe

The one on the right is a 1242xsv and a touch screen 7610xsv. It's a tight squeeze and I had to offset the mounting. The instrument panel required lot of forethought as certain items needed easy access like the AP and tabs.

Awesome. Thanks.

The switch panel.... Was that a home built job?

I'm not that talented unfortunately. The panel is a custom Bocatech from International Marine Services.

[QUOTE=kmoose;252790]I'm not that talented unfortunately. The panel is a custom Bocatech from International Marine Services.

Bilge Rat
 

If anyone doubts the value of an ample bilge access and a handy wife.....
Mel took on running the fuel lines and mounting the separator. She also wired and plumbed the bilge pump while she was down below.

Lumatec X leds lit up the entire yard after dark.

She is a guys guy(lady)...and I mean that as a very sincere compliment !:D

We're going the side-mount throttle control as well. Great layout you have here. Do you have nay idea what length cables you used on your side-mount install? Or maybe you have the fly-by-wire throttle? They don't have that option with my 2015 250 Opti! :(

It's fly by wire

Waiting on the weather to break for an evening shake down. Too wet to get the rub rail installed but she doesn't look too rough to be seen at the ramp....

...

Are you Shi77ing me? That thing is Sweet! Ready for scalloping? Closing some business here and trying to be there by Thurs...! Ready? Dogs welcome. May take me til Fri by Happy Hour.!.

Vezo, Part II

Shake, Shake, Shake Down
 

Got a break with the evening storms and we were able to get her on the water. Being so familiar with the hull and power i was immediately impressed with the improvement in ride and speed gained. I was previously running an 16x18 PowerTech which was not quite enough pitch but pulled heavy dive loads well in seas. For this build I started with 16x20 Zuke prop and she pulled it to 5800 @ 45 knots with 137 gallons of fuel below the deck.

Spent most of the re-orienting the AP and initializing the auto pro tabs. Everything worked great. Mel much enjoyed the new creature features and lighting. Still lots of little things to do but all in all the refit has exceeded expectations. It all has been well worth the time effort and expense.

Happy Admiral...

Awesome, one of a kind Sceptre! Can't wait to see it in person at the Fall Gathering in September.

Congratulations Moose and Mel. Great outcome!

Michael.

Pretty clean wake pattern. May take it up a hole but trimmed up @ 40 knot I could turn it hard and get a little cavitation.

Mel's favorite addition....

Courtesy deck lights are nice...

Very, very nice Ken!!!! You and Mel did real good! :) :) Not too sure about the Eagles green LED lights!

The bottom pic shows how far back the front seat is versus before, cool!

Very Nice, Ken. Worth all the effort in the way it turned out.

Here are some quick screenshots I grabbed on the run. Different trim setting gave varied results but it's hard to press and hold the home key when your flying along.

30 knot cruise @ 3 nmpg

Hey Ken where did that 74 gallons go?? Or was the 30 mph pic before you filled up? In any case, I can only dream about 3 nmpg. Shoot I don't get any better than your 1.78 nmpg at 4000 rpms, let alone WOT!!! Sweet!

Don, I noticed that I had not reset the fuel on that GPS after I took the screen shot. Most of the time I spent on the water was to get all the electronics set up. I had reset the one unit and figured that it would reset the other because they are networked but that wasn't the case. The fuel burn is definitely improved and will get better as I get everything dialed in. I think the motor can come up a notch or two depending on what prop I settle on.

One thing I did notice is that the smaller tabs have reduced their effectiveness but they still plenty of trim. The big change is the huge difference in transom angle on the Hermco. I have so much angle the motor is at 60+% trim with the cavitation plate running level. This gives a lot more ability to trim with the motor if needed. It's a whole new boat with the familiar feel.

We've settled on a more vintage logo for our project. It was created by a member with a particular set of skills. Skills that have been acquired over a very long career.... ;)

Wow!! That's all I can say.

You and Mel should be quite proud of your project.

Love the Logo!!

30K at 4000 getting North of 3NMPG? That is top of the chart fuel economy. Amazing!

Great job Ken. What is your take on planning speed and CG?

I didn't notice any change in planning speed but then again I was wasn't checking for a minimum. I did notice the change in CG though. Previously my sled was always bow heavy due to design, my weight and ice/gear load. This has changed considerably causing new sounds being made by the hull. I now hear the "squishing" sounds as my forward chines are now out of the water where they should be at low speeds.

The other new characteristic is how the boat "breaks free" when the bracket surface clears the water coming of the stern step. With the Hermco you literally have a stepped 26' hull and when the step clears you instantly notice it. My boat has never been this fast nor as fuel efficient at all cruise ranges. Also note I have gone from an 18 pitch to a 20" and still am in the operating range. All big improvements.

The overall ride at the helm has improved as expected. I now have a bow in front of me and the removal of the dash pods and glove box have improved the view as well. As of now there is nothing I would have done different. The room in the back is just as ample when you consider the bracket platform and full transom.

Sounds like a complete upgrade in the areas you were hoping for. All the boxes got checked off !! Low-speed planning is the only thing that I want to maintain if/when the bracket scenario gets put on the table.

Indeed.

HI Ken,

Congrats on the project! I am sure you were a little nervous going in so happy to see it exceeded your expectations.

I may have missed them, but did you have any pics of how you installed your 'Ducer?

Thx Jamie

You've done a fantastic job! I guess you needed more room for those big asz fish you catch! Enjoy!

No, but I will soon as I have to install the GT 51TH and the 264n soon. I'll detail it well for those interested in seeing big hole cut in the hull. :D