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Thread: Maiden voyage of the SS Grey Beard

  1. #1
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    Default Maiden voyage of the SS Grey Beard


    Jeff and I took the newly made over Grumman boat for a ride this afternoon on the Grand River in Portland. Other than testing it for leaks, this is the first time I've had it in the water. Our goal was to run the motor, do a check of the electronics, test live wells, test trolling motor and get a feel for how the boat will handle and how it will work for how we fish. The launch went smoothly, the motor started good but ran rough on the idle. When we got into deeper water, it jumped right up on plane and handled excellent. It rode smooth and cornered well. The trolling motor is adequate but the 48" shaft is a little short so I will switch it for a 54" shaft power drive I bought yesterday. The live wells worked perfectly.

    The more we ran the Force 50, the better it ran, both top end and idling. We filled both life wells with water and were running into a steady wind and it hit 24 mph. Not Steve Ash fast but fast enough for us. Loading it on the trailer went so/so, I'm used to loading on a roller trailer trailer. but once we've done it a few times it will get better.

    Overall our test run was a roaring success, we didn't sink and didn't have to get pulled back to the dock. Next trip will involve some fishing. Here's a few pictures of our adventure.Name:  IMG_20190719_144726313.jpg
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    The older I get the more I realize the therapeutic benefits of fishing
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  2. #2
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    "G" is offline Super Duper Moderator - 2012 Crappie.Com Man of the year & 2018 Crappie.com Decade of Exceptional Service Awards * Crappie.com Supporter * Member Sponsor
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    Good looking boat
    I have spent most my life fishing........the rest I wasted.
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    Very nice job. Turned out really good. Just needs fish in live well to really test it.

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    I red necked a couple thinks. My rod holders are made from threaded rod, two Driftmaster star bases and a piece of garage door angle iron. My cup holders are 3" thin wall pvc, a cap on the bottom and a coupler on top. I have maybe 2.00 into each one.
    The older I get the more I realize the therapeutic benefits of fishing
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    I see Jeff has the stern light in hand.

    Jerry, in the last photo I see a tie down bracket and hoop on the port side floor. What is that used for?

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    Very nicely done brother. All it needs is a good layer of fish slime to christen her.
    "Just Like Iron Sharpens Iron... So it is that One Man Sharpens Another Man." Proverbs 27:17

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    Did you install that .new looking flooring too?

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    Rich, I found those at a garage sale. I got a big peanut butter jar of them for a couple of dollars. I put then in for strapping down coolers, rod cases, etc. The mate to that one is next to the steering wheel and there is a pair in front of the steering wheel. I was worried about things sliding around on that new floor.

    Don, that flooring is called Gorilla Deck. I built a couple of decks and those are the cut offs that were left over. The cool thing is that it's designed to shed water to the ends so if I get caught in a rain storm, all the water will channel to the outside before it goes under the floor. When I poured the new flotation foam I laid 1/4" fan fold on the cross ribs to let water pass under the foam. Hopefully that will keep it from getting water logged like the old foam was. The flooring is designed to not get hot in the sun.
    The older I get the more I realize the therapeutic benefits of fishing
    Proud member of Michigan chapter "Team Overalls"
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  9. #9
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    Looking good Jerry!

    24 mph is fast enough after all I don’t think you can catch fish going that fast anyway.
    What a sweet deal you got and a sweeter boat to fish out of!


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    Wow, great work. Thanks for sharing.
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