Launched today

[Hightower]

What are the three cistern valve balls that are stuck together and sitting under the GPS Aerial for

RADAR reflector?

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Chris

Erin,

It looks really good !!, what seat pods are you using?

Also your seat upholstery is that standard or did you get it done locally?

Chris

The pods are the standard Osprey ones, but I asked for round topped cushions and slightly modified backrests to suit my preferences. I feel the round tops match the shape of the tubes better.

Originally Posted by Hightower

What are the three cistern valve balls that are stuck together and sitting under the GPS Aerial for

RADAR reflector?

Yep, a Tri-lens radar reflector. For its size and cost it came out fairly well in the MAIB report after the Ouzo yacht tragedy.

The bracket is about 2 or maybe 3 inches into the water. The base of the rams are submerged so it's far from ideal.

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Mollers

I see no grab handles. How are your passengers gonna stay in the thing? Those double jockeys are next to useless as there's no backrest/grab handle in the middle. One of the main reasons I changed boats was to give all of our kids a single jockey and a grab handle each. That way they stay in and feel secure in rougher water. The console will have a grab handle on the passenger side to keep the Missus held in.

I have actually fitted a second set of seat backs for the double jockeys, and the back rest cushions are mounted down a little so that the curved top of the stainless is left available as a handhold. There was no way I'd take people out at 50kts without something other than the person in front to hold on to!

Originally Posted by BruceB

I like it too but would have to echo the thoughts about leaving it on a mooring. I don't have the nerves for that myself.......

That's what insurance is for!!!

And thanks to all for the compliments. I'm very pleased with the end result too. The double width console is perfect for my needs. Loads of mounting space for dials and gizmo's and a good deal of protection for inter-island trips when its a bit chopy out there. I can just squeeze past it ti get to the bow, perhaps in a perfect world it would have been 2 or 3 inches narrower on the sides.

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

She is sitting a little lower at the stern than most 6.5m Vipermaxes. They generally have their tubes out of the water, at rest but your 200 Soozook is quite a bit (40kg) heavier than the 200 optimax, as used by Hugh Jardon & Bedajim.
Looks good - well done

I agree its heavier, but I don't have a 40kg aux on like Bedajim. Mind you, my fuel tank is practically empty at the moment, so maybe once that's got 200 litres of fuel in it it'll balance the boat a little and pull the stern up a tad. Maybe?!?

[Limey Linda]

Originally Posted by Hightower

As stated before, there are many resons for a large console, ease of gaining access to everything inside, plenty of room to surface mount electrical items, shelter from the elements, plenty of storage inside.....Etc .. etc .. etc

I have to agree with you on the space for electroncs point. I am struggling to be creative to mount stuff on my single console.

[Mollers]

[QUOTE=Erin;247507] I have actually fitted a second set of seat backs for the double jockeys, and the back rest cushions are mounted down a little so that the curved top of the stainless is left available as a handhold. There was no way I'd take people out at 50kts without something other than the person in front to hold on to!

How do you then remove the seat-top to access the pod?

50knts? You'll need to prop the life out of it to get those sort of figures. Hugh Jardon gets high 40's with a lighter, pokier 200 Opti.

[Tony]

Looks realy nice Erin. A friend of mine has a Vipermax in build at the mo, so we shall be cruising the islands quite alot! look forward to seeing you.
Tony

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Mollers

How do you then remove the seat-top to access the pod?

I don't, I have got hatches in the side of the pod.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Erin

I don't, I have got hatches in the side of the pod.

Cool, how will you mount the centre backrests with hatches in the sides of the pods?

[Erin]

The hatches are fitted between the centre backrest and the rear backrest. Albeit it's a little awkward to get to things right at the front of the pod, but it was the best compromise I could find. Photos will follow for those who are interested.

Originally Posted by Tony

Looks realy nice Erin. A friend of mine has a Vipermax in build at the mo, so we shall be cruising the islands quite alot! look forward to seeing you.
Tony

Yes, I remember Roy at Osprey saying there was someone in Guern interested in the Vipermax. What size has he gone for?

[Downhilldai]

Does she take much water over the transom when coming off the plane?

[Tony]

Originally Posted by Erin

The hatches are fitted between the centre backrest and the rear backrest. Albeit it's a little awkward to get to things right at the front of the pod, but it was the best compromise I could find. Photos will follow for those who are interested.



Yes, I remember Roy at Osprey saying there was someone in Guern interested in the Vipermax. What size has he gone for?

Its a 7m with a 200 Etec...should be fun..
We are hoping to collect it the same time as mine is built.

[Hugh Jardon]

Originally Posted by Erin

After a final push to get everything ready, and a good forecast, I decided it was time to put my pride and joy into the drink. I was going to wait until the end of the week, but the tides were good for an easy launch on the slip and the sea was calm for a maiden voyage. It was only a short 8nm trip from the slip to my mooring, but what a difference in the way she rides over my last boat. We were limited to no more than 4,000 rpm for running in, but I was happy to cruise at 3000 doing 21-22 kts for the shakedown. A very quick blast saw 40kts with ease and I doubt I was over 4500.

Only little surprise was that when tied up on the mooring the bottom of the engine bracket and the lower fixing bolts were submerged. I expected it to all be clear of the water on a long shaft. I'll have to keep an eye on any weed growth and somehow make sure the sealant around the transom bolts is 100%

Not the best photo in the world I must admit, but it was getting a little dark.

looks great, i bet you are really chuffed.

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Does she take much water over the transom when coming off the plane?

Didn't notice any coming over, but I was being a bit gentle on the first trip