FYI

Folks I had sometime back switched out the RED covers over the bulbs on the gauges for BLUE trying for a different effect and also hoping they would work better at night. NOT

They are so bright that I would turn them on when I started the engines check all the gauge reading and then turn them off to operate the boat safely without being blinded.

Dave and Adam agree that red is the best color to tone it down and for looks and they wired in a dimmer swwitch to allow them to remain on and not blind you.

These guys have not missed a trick and they noticed the blue covers and questioned them. Then they came up with a solution without me even asking for one.

COOL

You guys ROCK.

Mark
Wow, what a project! I would love to get a ride this summer on the lake! I have been boatless for way too long!
Mike Nichols

Mike,

It's really great to hear from you buddy. We have sure missed seeing you on the water. I promise you a ride on the boat that is for sure. But we need to get together before then. I'll send you a PM with my contact info and please give me a call and we can meet at the Yacht Club for lunch. I look forward to seeing you.

Mark

It's an even bigger problem up there than it is here. And you know - they are somewhat bigger up there too.

Hey, that's my name....Mike Nicholls.

Seen your boat out a few times - looks good! :ernaehrung004:

Sorry but there is not room for two of you on the same lake!:rolleyes:

Wow looks awesome. Thanks for helping jump start the economy.:drink:

Doc

Are you currently running stock length XR drives ??

Smitty

Thanks Dave

The wife has put me on credit hold with the motorcycle, Jeep and now the boat. So yes I have done my part.

Happy Thanksgiving

Yes sir stock length but I do have the higher X dimension that they went to in 2002. I wish I had the IMCO shorties back that I sold. Bobby Tood says that with the added HP they will work for me now.

I see complete new drives in my future and we can make adjustments at that time.

Doc

I wouldn't be so sure about the shorter drives. I have almost as much power as you do now. I don't know what my X dim. is, (2000 model) but when I had Mr Gadgets build my drives, I went with 1" shorter lowers and as a result had to go to 5 blade props so I could get on plane in less than 1/2 a day !!! Even then I can still blow out the props when getting on plane. It might just be my boat/hull. Too bad I am not closer. My drives are off and sittin' in my garage right now.


Smitty

Smitty,

That is very interesting because I experienced the exact same thing when trying to get on plane. The boat simply did not like the 1" shorties at all especially with my four blades. I tried the P5X props in a 28 pitch and it was slightly better on plane but I lost 2-3 MPH on the top end. I never experienced any blow out. Bobby was telling me that the added HP makes a huge difference but I still had a problem in my mind understanding how that would improve getting on plane.

I'll see how it does in the stock form first to get a base line and then work from there.

Thanks
Dock

Dock

Yes I also lost a couple of miles per hour as well. I think I will add spacers this winter and go from there. I would let you try my drives if you were closer.

Smitty

Smitty,

Thank you very much for the information and the offer. I will probably get with you later and try the props out for sure. I'll worry about the drives when the time comes. For me it has to be a balance of enjoyment, ease of operation and performance. I'm not all about the very last MPH and once we see were the boat runs at speed wise I may even bump the boost back on the motors and cruise after we see what it is capable of.

Many thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.

Dock

The only thing we have in common with farmers is knowing a little about barley and hops.

Now that there is funny........:ernaehrung004::ernaehrung004:

How bout that "BAJA Beer" brother?

I have that full bottle you gave me at LOTO on display in the man cave. If times get too bad I will open it.:ernaehrung004:

Hmm glad to see you are still alive. Is Jason sober yet?:evilb:

I still have 3 bottles left....out in (my wife calls it ) man world

:drink:

No sheep? :angry-smiley-038: Just kidding, man! You guys are really doing some nice work!

Doc - the boat looks awesome. As you know, I love the blue!

Okay let's get ack on track and away from sheep and beer!

Dave got the drive showers on and was careful to place them on the correct side of each drive to catch the up flow of water since I spin the props out.

Good news

The sunpad and triple rear bolster are finally installed for good.

A special thanks is owed once again to Kevin Brown for his special effort and quality work in short order on the seat base.

Gunnel covers are no longer PLYWOOD.

They are looking VERY nice.

The original ones were okay but the holes for the subs were cut oversize and created a real problem.

Adam has added three new pair of 6 x 9's in the cockpit to replace the original 5-1/4's for a much better mid range sound. He was careful to use Polk MOMO so that everything matches.

Gunnel covers templates

They were 4" ers. Yea, it is going to sound a tiny bit better.

...and thanks again Dave on the drive shower install. Good work!

Big bucks and plenty of does. SE corner of Biddle and Crestline road. Looked like a petting zoo out there last year.

Cell phone tower field, they must all have phones and like the reception :D

Hmm tiny?

I was expecting just a wee bit more.:evilb:

Hey they are corn fed up there. They should be huge!

Thanks Chris

Hopefully we will get her back to Texas again.

Thanks buddy......Now I need to get back to work on the new custom power lift brackets that need to completed before I go deer hunting Monday. :evilb:

You must not have eaten as much turkey as I did or you would not want to be working on anything.

The wife cooked a feast and it was beautiful out today and we considered going for a motorcycle ride but took a nap instead.

Hey I did not hear from you regarding the tube. Will it work or to I need to find something out of aluminum?

Almost all boat builders have switched from marine plywood to materials like this 1/2" Proboard plastic panel material that is close to the same weight as plywood, but you save time not having to resin coat, or treat it. The cost of this type of material is just one example of reasons that boats have become so expensive for everyone, but the fact that it will never rot is good enough.

XT:cool:

Dave,

I have learned a LOT over the course of this project because you and your team or so knowlegeable and professional. I'm really glad we did this. You keep surprising me in a very positive way.

Thanks
Mark

My house is on Beck road that runs just parallel to Biddle. I counted as many as 85 deer in that area on one night driving toward Galion on Biddle Rd.

If they do have cell phones...don't leave any messages on what is going to happen on Monday. :eek:

Adam would have to answer that to be sure. He did say that the stainless is harder to work with. Do you still have his cell number?

SS will be alright. Tell Clayton to worry 'bout paintin' and I'll worry 'bout machinin'. Besides, as Dave said, he is the one doing it!

:ernaehrung004:

Mark, the boat looks great. I look forward to seeing it up close.
You pick a great crew to do your project. Having met Dave and get to know him, he is the right man for the job. (great work Dave!!!):ernaehrung004:

I agree with Jason, Mark you should put together a national Baja regatta. With advanced info I'd drive just about anywhere to go to that dig.:evilb:

Jessie,

You know I cannot take all the credit on this project, I just report to Mark what the team accomplished on a daily basis.
We have the cream of the crop of ex-Baja employees working on this boat, without dealing with any (questionable) upper management personel. :ernaehrung004:

XT:cool:

Hmm

Lane - Top Knotch
Doug - Hard Worker
Dave - Upper Management
Adam - Questionable
Clayton - Off the Charts ???