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Old 03-26-2015, 12:04 PM
Chaser Chaser is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 64
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We did Race Committee last night in the freshly refurbished "Chaser"! Three of us on board. First Wed night race of the season.

I bolted the T Top on yesterday afternoon, and filled the tank. The stern rose another 1/2" when I filled the tank up. I was rushed putting the boat in the water, so I didn't get a chance to mark the transom. My plan is to mark the transom every inch on both aft corners, from the bottom up to the waterline. This way, I'll be able to tell how deep the stern is in the water and also how much it changes when I gain/lose fuel.

To say the boat runs nicely is a total understatement. It runs perfectly. Besides all the systems working perfectly (how did I EVER operate without a washdown before!?!) the boat balances very nicely.

I think a major reason the boat trims out so nicely is the weight loss program I put her on. After dropping off the old deck and tank at the dump a few weeks ago, and adding up the materials I used for the re-build, I estimate that the boat is minimum 250 pounds lighter than it was, and probably more like 300 pounds. Add to that that I moved the console and tank forward, and that most of that weight reduction is in the aft part of the boat (aft of CG), it more than makes up for the heavier outboard. Given the fact that I don't know how deep the transom SHOULD sit or DID sit when the boat was new, it is hard to make a perfect comparison, maybe someone on here can look at the pics and tell me how the transom immersion compares to other SC 20's... Once I put the marks on the transom, I'll be able to say exactly how deep the transom is sitting in the water.

My waterline stripe was parallel to the water with only 5 gal of fuel, albeit about 2" higher than it was previously! But now, with 35 gal of fuel, it actually rises as it goes aft!

We are running out to Orcas Island this weekend for work (probably take our bikes out there also for a ride) and should get a better idea how the boat runs for a longer cruise. Last couple of nights have just been poking around the bay, checking things out and setting marks for RC etc...

I also just got a pair of older but un-used Lenco electric trim tabs from a customer. He just gave them to me for helping him out. They are big, 12x24" so way too big for Chaser, but I am going to either cut one of them in half to make a 12x12" tab or buy just the planes, either 12x9" or 12x12". I figure I'll try cutting them in half first (got two chances to get it right and if that isn't going to work, drop the extra $ for new planes. At least I have all the hardware. Hopefully will get this project finished next week so will have an idea how they work once that is complete.

Besides the tabs, I have a few spotlights to mount on the T Top and that will be it for the projects! Then I can start gearing up for Ling Cod season!

I know you all probably think I'm a wanker sailboater (you might be right but the SC is the perfect small boat for around here and doing what we need (RC, work trips to the islands, quick weekend getaways). BUT, I am jonesing to do some fishing! And now I have the perfect boat for it! Ling Cod and Halibut open in May, but are open year round in Canadian waters, so we may be taking a slightly longer trip to enjoy some "international" cuisine

Cheers! Another awesome SeaCraft restoration!
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