[abl1111]

E,

You are right, I have been enjoying the hell out of my boat. I have not posted in awhile - this site becomes addictive so I had to go cold turkey for the season.

I have not tracked your progress. Last time I was around, you had just gotten the boat home from the trailer nightmare.

Our projects are similar. All I can tell you is that I am real happy with the outcome of mine. I do notice there are many new names so FYI: I re-did a 23' 1975 Tsunmai w/ (2) i/o's and converted to (1) i/o - and a "lot more".

E - I am really happy with the Mercruiser 300HP 5.7 horizon w/ a Bravo 3. I have the original fuel tank too ( if I were you, I'd epoxy paint it anyway - it is EZ and cannot hurt! ). Are they 72 gallons ?

As for the scupper issue - it is definitely a pain in the ass: At dockside, no water comes in. Underway, no water. One guy weighing 185 (me!) in a corner and water will come in a very little - but when the boat is rocking a bit and I'm in the corner, the water coming in varies from just filling the drain cutout to 1" of water ( covering an area about 8" x 1'-2' ). Two guys in that corner and the water is coming in w/ ease - add wave action and wet feet are a sure thing.. I would have gone out the transom with scuppers, but I never did hear one testimonial from a Tsunami/Sceptre that it worked. If I knew it would work, I would have done the extra work to avoid this slight, but 'real' hassle.

I do use drain plugs most the time and pull them out when done for the day. That works perfect. But, now I am using a 5 gallon pail as a temporary live well, for discretion, and I drain to the floor out the scupper and so a plug is not used ( I wear rubber boots ).

I never tried the 'ole Vortex, but I do like the idea. I do think of other fix's, but have not come up with anything better than the Vortex idea. I know some guys like the Rabud ball scupper. I leave my boat in all season (8 months ) and the growth I get on my drive and tabs says that the ball scupper idea would not work the way I want it to.

Mind you, this is the only thing that is a small hassle.

The package I chose is perfect for the boat. I run her at 3200 on average @ 29 mph and she burns 5.5-6.5 gallons an hour. She moves fast when I need her to. She tops out at 4500 rpm @ 48-50 mph. She will drink fuel at that rpm.

Trim tabs - what can I say - I use them more than anything on the boat. I have the Bennett 12x12's and that is what I would recommend. The boat demands tabs. Period. What a shit_y ride it would be without them.

Another area I really do not like: the companion way hatch cover. A real pain; it leaks in the front part, near the windshield and needs to be taken off and stowed below to get to the bow. I think about how to do away with it all the time.

FYI: I did find out who made the original cuddy ladder - Chrysler Marine Corp. An out of business subs. of Chrysler. I cannot believe it, but I found and bought a brand new one on eBay for $50. It was a miracle.

Well. That does it for me. Hope this helped a bit. Good luck and as you know - in the spirit of this site - ask any questions you might have.

Alan