2002 Apache Brave
 

Hello Tribe- Well the deal is done. I took delivery Friday the 17th of my wonderful new 2002 Apache Brave from the legend Mel Riggs. My Dad, Troy and I did the final shake down run and adjustments Friday on Lake Winnebago. I am from the Oshkosh area and have known Mel all my life, so getting this unbelieveable boat from Mel was/is over the top. Troy introduced me to Magnum Mark at Mr. Marine. Awesome guy also. I live in Roswell, GA now so Lake Lanier is going to be our new playground. Yesterday and today I was buzzing around the lake already. Very nice lake just a little different than what I am used to.

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Congratulations!

Thank You.

Congratts! The boat looks super clean!! I really like the flaps on it. Didnt even know there was another Apache up this way..
Jr.

Congrats, is that a composite 28 Apache?

Does the hull ID start with APH? Was it the last one built?

Congrates, what did you put in her for power?

Beautiful boat! Any engine, interior pics? Looks great,, enjoy!!

J

Again Thank You guys

Composite- Bobby said very little wood and more composite.

Yes from what everyone has said its the last 28 footer they made. Maybe 1 of the last ones made on 188th st.?.?.?

502 mags with bravos and 1.36 ratios.

YES its an APH hin.

The sequence is #100.

Very clean, its been sitting in Mel's shop since he got it. I picked it up with 3 or so hours on it. Now I have 8.1 hrs on it.

I have the orignal MSO. I was the 1st registered owner. I think this might have been the LAST NEW APACHE SOLD.

J bonz - Mel has an older 28 and also a 36 sitting up there right now.

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I am wondering what speeds other 28 owners are reaching?
I have seen low 70s with 1/2 tank and 6 people with almost no chop. 82/83 with 3 people 5/8 tank in lake winnebago with a slight chop( 12" to 18"). The boat likes to porpoise at low speeds, I have to use the tabs and keep the drive tucked in at lower speeds. Any more input would help greatly appreciated.
Greg

Its normal to have to make those adjustments when you slow down to slower speeds. When I'm driving I typically just touch the drives up a notch or two after I'm on plane and leave them there. The drives don't need to be raised much at all. For 28ft it is an extrememly forgiving boat. You may be triming to high if its causing a big porpoise at slower speeds. I don't use the tabs much, mostly just to get on plane and then I lift them all the way up. The balance will change with the slightest weight modifications. My boat was balanced much better after I went from aluminum heads to stock cast iron heads. Thats only 2-400lbs difference, but the porpoise was significant with the aluminum heads. You could try putting some sandbags in the bilge......the composite layup may have thrown the balance off a little. I know they are lighter boats.

Might be a good idea to cover up your drives and tab indicators just so you can begin to "feel" the boats hull without confusing yourself about the setting of your tabs/drives. Once you can feel the hull you can adjust it on the fly by instinct without looking at your gauges. When you get on plane and start getting up to speed just barely tap the drives up until the vibration is reduced and the nose starts to loosen up. Then leave your settings there. Trust the hull, it doesn't need a lot of correcting once your up on plane.

very cool and great speeds with stock motors! They are great boats.
It would be neat to find out the weight of that one -- seems like it must be considerably lighter than my 91 was.

Congrats ;-)

Damn that boat looks Great in all white.

Thank guys. I really think its Classic looking in all white. I think thats its biggest draw. I should have it weighed! Mel said Bobby made this 1 to run like hell. It was made for Mel Riggs as a special order. Currently running Revolution 4 23p with some work. They accelerate and handle like you would believe, I imagine the addition of the Imco steering has something to do with that also. If anyone wants to get some Apaches together on Lake Lanier I'm in.

Getting on plane is no problem at all. She pops right out of the hole without the tabs at all. I will try the covering up the indictator covers. I only have 4.5 hours of seat time on her so far. Working a ton all week didnt get out of all this week. Hopefully tomorrow after work maybe.
Greg

Call over to Precision Drilling in Canton GA and talk to Kirk Smith. He has the fastest 36 pleasure(maybe the fastest 36). Its in all white trim as well. I think the Lake Allatoona guys(which includes Kirk) are heading to Lanier for 4th of July weekend.

Or bring some ice cold Miller Lite with you to Nautical Restorations behind Matworks in Alpharetta and pick Robert Tanner's brain. You must bring ice cold Miller Lite with you! :D

That boat is very nice. Congrats

Because of work I will not be able to get out this 4th, but I am taken her out on Friday. I will check out Kirk and see what he says thank you the advice.
Greg

that's awesome!

As for the porpoise... Try running your tabs neutral and your drives neutral or slightly negative at cruise speed.

Using a straight edge set your tabs and drives level with the bottom of the boat and make marks on your indicators. running the tabs all the way up can acutally cause the boat to porpoise because the water wants to stick to the tabs. Even though they are all the way up, they're not out of the water at cruise speed. When you run them neutral (even with the bottom) it helps keep the boat true and also extends your running surface making the boat run better in the rough.

You'll find the boat will handle better in rough water using more input from the tab and trying to keep the drives as neutral as you can. It makes your angle of attack straight which makes you fly straight and even instead of bow high or plowing.

But hey, what do I know!~ :)
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExbZfhvYlsA[/YOUTUBE]

have you run it across any scales? I'd be interested in hearing the weight on it with the described layup...

Very nice!

How much did your old 28' weigh?

7400 lbs dry -- add fuel, people, coolers etc and no wonder it didn't mind waves:coolcowboy:

I think David Hess's boat was the last 28 built had a single 525 and ran mid 70's was built in 2003

nice video on Geronimo. thanx

Good Morning and Happy Sunday Guys- I keep it dry racked on Lanier so I haven't ran across any scales yet. I have not ran it in over two weeks, work has been crazy busy. Thats a good thing. I am planning on taken it out next sunday.

Sean what is his hin#? From what I have read you are a wealth of Apache Knowledge. I am greatful of any input.

Greg

Panther-Geronimo AWESOME VID.

Panther-Geronimo AWESOME VID.

I dont know what it is it's an APH# I believe I know that I was working with Bobby and Eric when that boat was being built!!!!

NICE... So can you shed some more light on my 28? Mine is all white exterior and interior except for the blue carpet in the cockpit. I love everything about it.

Still working my way thru drive and tab input.

From what I was told it let the factory without motors, drives and all the hardware. Bare hull basically, interior and cabin was finished. again all white.

Sean do know how big my gas tank might be? I am thinking about 80 or 90 gallons. I am close?
Thank you
Greg

I think its a little bigger than that being a twin!!! probably closer to 120 PM me your HIN and I will see if I can get that info for you

Greg,

On my 28, I was able to get that gas tank info. from a label attached to the tank itself. I can see the label right by where I access my fuel pickup valves. In my case Sean is right, its 120 Gallons. Wish it had a little more range!.. hehehe

Julian

Julian,
I plan on being out sunday all day, if the weather helps up.
I will check. Thank you.
Sean I sent you the hin. Again thank you for any help. Working all day sucks when its nice out lately, hahaha.

Sean I was wondering if you found anything out yet?

Sunday I am planning on being on Lake Lanier, if anyone wants to get together let me know. Port Royale and Sunset Cove. I am thinking about running north to Gainsville area.

Sean anything yet? I am wondering what you dug up so far.
Thank you
Greg

Have you spoken with Bob Saccenti?

Both him or Eric Froberg are the two guys you want to contact about details on this boat. Matter of fact Bobby told me a little about your boat in a brief convo... I say call him for the best info.

Frank

Yeah I spoke with Bobby right before I picked it up from Mel. Please send a pm with what u heard. I love it, AWESOME boat. I thinking about some graphics nothing to big.

Noooo that boat looks GREAT all white.