I headed over to the launch and discovered that it was about 80% free of ice and the entire area was covered in sand. This is doable for Saturday. Well the forecast for Saturday was high winds, 5 footers, and freezing spray in Passage Canal. I am not really in to the whole freezing spray
thing, so I postponed the big launch until Sunday. We pulled into Whittier at about 10:45 am and the launch had really cleared up over the past few days. I was a bit apprehensive about having old Patience taking me for a walk down the ramp so I had a friend help me out. I figured two diesels are better than one.
Here is the set up:
On the way down:
Missed the rebar
So close I can taste it:
She floats:
We motored out of the harbor and cruised at 2000 rpm for the first hour and then 3000 rpm for the next hour as Yamaha recommends for the break in period. As we enter Port Wells, there were several pods of Dahl Porpoise working the area. Several of them proceeded to ride the bow wake and gave us a show for the next several minutes. The porpoise got bored and the second hour was over. Time to put Patience on step. I eased the throttle forward and she planed without hesitation. I have never driven a boat with both reverse chines and lifting strakes, like the GC, but can say that I like it! It is a much different feeling than the old searunner, for sure. Very similar to taking off in a cub. The manual says the remaining eight hours you should not run WOT for more than five minutes at a time. I eased the throttle forward and hit 6100 rpm's with a lot of throttle left. Perhaps I hit the rev limiter? The gps read 40+ mph and with a bit of tweeking of the tabs and trim I was able to hit 46.4 on the gps. I know that the best economy is once you hit plane. She can stay up on step at 21 mph with a bit of tab, but 4400 is the real sweet spot. Here are my numbers with the 13 3/4 x 19 yamaha black stainless props at 5 hours:
rpm mph g/hr mpg
4300 25 18.3 1.37
4400 32.3 19.2 1.68
4700 33.9 20.5 1.65
4800 35.6 22 1.61
5200 38.2 26 1.45
5500 40.5 32.4 1.25
6000 44 36.8 1.2
6100WOT 46.4 40 1.16
I know that I am under propped, so I will be trying out some new props once she is broken in. I hope to see ~2 mpg at cruise. I have a pair of 14x21 four blade on order. That should bring my rpms down to the 5800 range and I should gain more hole shot and pickup economy at cruise. I like it! Come on spring!
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"IRONWOODTUNA" the Alloy Sportfisherman Battleship!