Sea Trials - another launch

[Bob Perkins]

Ok Everyone..

There comes a moment when the building has to draw to a close and the boating has to begin. I'm ALMOST there..

The boat is not 100% complete (it needs a windshield, name, and some interior details...) But is was time to put it on the water and make sure everything worked ;)

I'll have a formal launch party in the fall.. However....

Here are a few quick clips of the launch (the real video camera was not working, so we used a dig camera in video mode..)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9dbDRM9LWo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJp5YrmxPKY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq1HN85LKTo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0Q0G1e0AXM



And a bunch of stills

Still on the trailer getting ready for towing to the doc.
http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b8db06b3127cce98548c347a4200000027100AZt2TFi5bt2 Pg

Under Tow - need to calibrate prop shaft alignment once in the water
http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b8db06b3127cce98548c3c7a4a00000027100AZt2TFi5bt2 Pg

[Bob Perkins]

Safely at dock - upholstery went in last week.
http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b8db06b3127cce98548c067a7000000027100AZt2TFi5bt2 Pg

Cruising
http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b8db06b3127cce98548cf27a8400000027100AZt2TFi5bt2 Pg

Faster Cruising
http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b8db06b3127cce98548c0a7a7c00000027100AZt2TFi5bt2 Pg
http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b8db06b3127cce98548cfe7a8800000027100AZt2TFi5bt2 Pg

My friend and his daughter - best seat on the boat (except for driver)

http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b8db06b3127cce98548cddfb9b00000027100AZt2TFi5bt2 Pg

[outofthenorm]

Huge congratulations Bob. She looks fabulous! Taking her up to speed for the first time must have been a real thrill.

- Norm

[StevenBauer]

Wow! Great pictures. You must be well pleased. :)


Steven

[Spokaloo]

Beautiful, congrats

E

[Tar Devil]

That is one sweet boat... really sweet!

[L.W. Baxter]

Oh, man.

What a pay-off! Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.

[ChrisBen]

Beautiful job Bob. That stretch of water looks a lot like a place I used to sail on in Natick?

[JimConlin]

That's great news, Bob. How does it run?

Jim

[Bob Perkins]

Hi Everyone -

We launched up in Maine on Thompson Lake.

The motor runs great - I had one weird glitch - the instruments worked perfectly long before launch and even the day of launch. Then one of them got a bit flaky and would peg the needle when the instrument lights would go on.. I have a little debugging to do.

The motor runs very smooth and the mufflers keep the sound down to a very low bass.

I wish I had it 100% done - but I figured it made sense to do some testing before inviting a lot of people and finding out there was something wrong ;)

Thanks all

[gavinpascoe]

Oh man - that is so cool.

[SaltyD from BC]

Gorgeous work Bob. What engine did you use?

[sawcutmill]

Congratulations on one of the finest boats built of that style ,the pictures are awesome, you effort is definitely an ELEVEN out of TEN !Stephen

[neilm]

Beautiful! Is that new construction or a restoration?

Neil

[Lew Barrett]

Masterful job, beautiful boat.

[Bob Perkins]

I missed a couple of pics I wanted to include..

The motor is a new (well 3 years old now..) Mercruiser 5.7L. Runs great. The whole project took 5 1/2 years to date.. About 1500 hours. I still have some detail work to do..

Docking
http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b8db06b3127cce98548ce27a9400000027100AZt2TFi5bt2 Pg


Boat sits perfectly on designed waterline - within 1/8" over 23' length. Good Job Ken Hankinson.
http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b8db06b3127cce98548cd27aa400000027100AZt2TFi5bt2 Pg
http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b8db06b3127cce98548cd1fb9700000027100AZt2TFi5bt2 Pg

[Jim Ledger]

The perfection of the reflected water in the varnish points straight to a superior lofting effort in the beginning.

Bob, that boat is fabulous. Congratulations on your launch and best of luck with it.

[Don Scott]

Bob, That build is absolutely stunning. I was mesmorised from beginning to end. Congratulations !

[C. Ross]

Bob,
Wow! That is a gorgeous boat, beautifully constructed and finished. Great documentation, from "stack of mahogany" to the transom touching water. Hope she's a joy.

[gray duck]

two words: PRIDE AND JOY
you gotta be full of both of 'em.
I'm betting she still sleeps in the garage.

[Robmill0605]

Your craftmanship is way above the line here Bob, congrats.
I'm doing the same thing building my Hacker replica ,and seeing your boat hit the water after ALL that careful work had to be thrilling. It inspires me to get off my rear end and get the ball rolling again.
Just a beautiful job.

[John Meachen]

Fantastic job,congratulations on the launching.

[Woxbox]

Beautiful

[Ross M]

Wow - beautiful, beautiful job.

Ross

[pipefitter]

Very cool.

[Ken Hutchins]

Bob, That build is absolutely stunning.

[W Grabow]

What a gorgeous shop! What a beautiful boat! And the quality of craftsmanship makes me think perhaps I should switch to cooking instead of boat-building since I can't see myself ever reaching the level of quality you have demonstrated. Thank you for the excellent photographic documentation.

[Concordia...41]

Wow! Sweet! and Holy Varnish Batman! all come to mind, but all seem inadequate ...

Congratulations!

- Margo & Sarah

P.S. I don't think most of us would have noticed the missing windshield if you hadn't told on yourself ;)

[Audioten]

Wow Bob.
I'm lost of words.
You have done a magnificent job on the boat and documentation.
Congratulations and enjoy that piece of furniture;)

Now i can't wait to hit the water myself.

Cato

[brad9798]

I am speachless ... or 'typeless??'

AWESOME!

[P.L.Lenihan]

A finer testament to what is possible if one applies oneself would be difficult to find!! Congrats and enjoy her........... daily :)!!


Peter