[SailorChlud]

Well- the big day arrived, and we splashed Ciao Bella for a brief run in the Tom's River and Barnegat Bay. I give us an 85% success rate, which was more than enough to put a grin on my face, and my wife and son.

Had a gorgeous day for it - 83 degrees air temperature, 78 degrees water temps in the river, winds about 5-6 knots. Launched about 10:30 and immediately had a failure - initially forgot to prime the fuel line, so cranked a few times before I remembered, then turned the key and got a very short "urr" then no starter action at all. Crap! Switched the Blue Seas switch to combine, and fired right up. Puzzling. But headed out nevertheless, and did some donuts in the river - steering good, motor trim and indicator, good, tach and radio and fishfinder all good.

Took a turn for the open bay, and headed south along Island Beach State Park. Lots of boats out today (Sunday Funday) but enjoyed the company and took some stats and measurements down on the way.

Seemed my motor is mounted a little too low, of course. I took Denny's suggestion and put black electrician's tape on the white motor so I could see it, and it was visible, but not out of the flow at speed. I suspect with the motor one hole higher it would be good. It is now about 1 inch above the keel, so that would add about 3/4ths of an inch, and is all the adjustment I have on this setup anyway.

With a load of 3 people, about 30 gallons of fuel, the bimini up, and a BRP 3 blade prop 15x15, I observed a top speed at WOT of about 28.5 knots at 5600-5700 rpms. Seems I am revving too high with this prop. My Johnson manual says max RPM should be 5000 rpms. Speed at 4000 rpm was about 20 knots.

Comfortable cruise was around 3500 -3750 rpms and 18 knots.

Due to "first time itis" - which I diagnose as the stress in trying to remember/check/observe and listen to every part of the boat at once, I took few photos, but my son did snap these, indicating a good does of euphoria. And his selfie shows he had a good time at WOT!