#6

1) looks like something JG 24/88 would pick if he lived in San Francisco. I told you 5 was a winner. LOL

Also plan to do a little dusk into dark boating to get a feel for the FLIR and what it's capable of.

Michael, Looking forward to your report on what you think of the FLIR. As you know we have our new pop-up coming out at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. Sure would have saved the Marlins Pitcher.

Maiden voyage here on Lake Norman yesterday. It's been 80* all week, but barely 60 today and 15mph wind. We actually saw whitecaps which is rare. Wasn't rough just cold and you could feel the wind catching the top and pushing the boat around especially if we had a crosswind.

Much to my surprise we were able to match the FL saltwater performance here. 2 on board, all gear, water full 2/3rds fuel.

Took the time to weigh the truck, boat and trailer as a combo, boat and trailer + trailer only.

Grabbed dinner on the water waiting on nightfall to boat w/ the assistance of the FLIR. We were only a mile or 2 from the ramp for our 1st night experience so we didn't get on plane. Lake level is down 7' so no use taking any unnecessary chances. Used the FLIR and previous GPS tracking to get us back safely. We thought it worked well but definitely need to study up in order to manage the ideal settings. Need a better understanding of what the actual magnification (objects appear quite a bit closer than they are) and field of view are (seems narrow).

'drejustice' here on OSO has FLIR on his Active Thunder (which is for sale). He may be able to give you some tips.

Much to my surprise we were able to match the FL saltwater performance here. 2 on board, all gear, water full 2/3rds fuel.

Ha! Take that Bill..... :evilb:

FL saltwater GPS speed in post #737

Thanks T. I got a new set of "Special" props for the 39 so we will see what she will do in the salt water this weekend. Boat leaves for FMB wens morning trailer permitting.

So what do the numbers say?

Great looking boat, love the paint scheme you picked!

Basically the same scheme as before just a change in the colors but thank you all the same.

2 boats appear to be within a few hundred pounds of each other. 11,820lbs(old) vs 11860lbs(new) I believe the new boat is slightly lighter but it's not a perfect science since I don't know the exact amount of water, fuel & gear that was in the last boat vs this one. Traditionally I use 1/2 tank of fuel for all my weight and speed comparisons but I noticed I was carrying about 40 gals more (260lbs) than 1/2 in the new boat. I did omit the windlass but opt for a bow thruster and my guess that the thruster is lighter.

As for the trailers the new Evolution Trailer is 500lbs heavier than the previous Evolution Trailer (2300 vs 2800lbs) and I attribute this to the fact that I opted for 14ply tires all the way around (10ply previously), a 2nd mounted spare wheel and tire (1 spare previously), wood over plastic bunks, a power tongue jack and a large toolbox (filled w/ gear). I feel like that very easily can amount to 500lbs. The Goodyear GS614 tires are noticeably heavier as a tire only than the Marathons.

Didn't have these scale tickets handy when I replied previously.
Keep in mind I don't strategically locate the trailer on the scale pads to record the weight by axles or the tongue, just total weight.

Note: I rounded the 2016 Evolution Trailer ONLY weight from 2740 to 2800 b/c the toolbox was full when weighed w/ the boat but empty when I weighed the trailer only.

Who's gonna be in Key West this week? I am headed there Wednesday morning.

Not me, too much going on professionally.

Laying the ground work for a boat trip to Bahamas and hopefully KW next year.

Enjoy and safe travels.

Let me know if you need any info for a Bahamas trip.

Thanks pstorti- I've read several other threads over the years but in reality I have ZERO experience w/ such a trip. I'd either have to join an organized group like FPC or tag along w/ someone more experienced. I'm hopeful to tag along w/ Ben Robertson. He made the trip last May and said he may do it again this year.

Pat from Active Thunder usually goes over a few times a year; leaving out of Pompano or Boca. I'm sure you can tag along. It's not a hard trip, but you need to pick your travel dates wisely due to the gulf stream.

Its really not that complicated. as long as you watch the wind it's an easy trip to Bimini and even further out. On a flat day in your boat you could get to Bimini in 45 min.

Understood, but I'm really inexperienced w/ judging the weather and overall conditions. I wouldn't want to jeopardize anyone's safety just winging it think it's a 45 min jaunt. When Ben went last year they boated to Bimini, than Atlantis and ultimately stayed in the Exuma's. I've heard it's smart to leave a departure window on both sides of ones travel as you may not be able to leave the day you'd like due to conditions.

I've done it twice in my 34 NT to the Exzumas, stayed at Staniel Cay and its been the best boating trip I've done. I highly recommend it, I've done probably 6 trips to Bimini, 1 to west end or great Bahamas. It does take a lot of prep and some luck, but its worth every hour of prep and dollar spent. If ya get to the planning part I'd be happy to give you some ideas, advice, and hook ups.

Greatly appreciated and I may very well take you up on that offer once I nail down some dates.

Local canvas shop put the finishing touches on my new cover. They do very nice work, allow me to totally customize + very reasonable.

Sold the custom cover w/ the previous Nor-Tech. I had the particular cover made w/ the hopes I could tow w/ it on but it simply was too large and heavy to be able to do so.

This cover mimics typical Ctr Console full covers. Pretty easy to install w/ just 6 straps.

Also working on a ballistic nylon soft sided prop bag. Once perfected I plan to make them available for purchase by others.

The one pictured has been sold out for quite some time and the supplier told me he has no interest in reproducing any more. Sounds like a good opportunity for me.

Cosmic Dust

Sea deck on the back looks awesome!!!!

Agreed, when this boat was scanned I ended up w/ quite a few more pcs & coverage in comparison to the previous.

SportBoats and Nor-Tech used my boat for a professional photo shoot day before I arrived to bring it home. Hearing it might actually make the 2017 brochure.

C-Zone
 

With the assistance of friend, fellow boater & Marine Electronics Professional Ron Muller I'm learning more and more about the C-Zone my boat came equipped with as well as the way it can be customized.

What Ron typically does prior to an electronics install is mock up the layout on an in house Garmin Screen then screen shots to the Customer for approval.

My original Rocker type switch layout attached as well as the customized single button switch layout Ron suggested. The single buttons illuminate a green halo around the button when in the ON position.

You can also set up tabs / pages with certain select groups of switches that are related and easier to navigate to w/o having to view them all.

Currently trying to work thru the way certain words are wrapping (Underwater & Water) so that it's easier to read.

A little late but nice ride. congrats.

Very nice, I love the new no switch dash layout. I wish mine had that.

Don't feel bad it will only be a month or 2 before Nor-Tech updates something, offers something new or implements new technology. They are good like that.
Mercury's Vessel View is a touch screen now BUT I ended up w/ the previous version. Every NT comes w/ the touch screen version nowadays.
It's just the breaks!

I think having to touch the screen 4 or 5 times to switch something on or off will get old fast. It's a cool system but I would want actual switches also.

You are cruising along at 40-50 mph and want to turn something on/off:
1. hit the home button
2. hit the av/gauges button
3. hit the switch button
4. turn on or off the switch you want or hit the left or right arrow to go to the page it is on
5. hit home again
6. hit smart mode
7. hit your cruising screen combo

now try it if it isn't flat calm. I have a pair of 7616's and sometimes with those it is hard to land where you want when it is rough.

Nice instructions. Not trying to be a wise guy. LOL.
However there are shortcuts you can implement by using favorites and also put certain switches along the top bar.
I do not disagree what you are saying as touch screens can be a pain sometimes.
We have installed the Garmin Grid controller for the days it is rough. You can mount in the arm of the helm chair or on the dash. I gives you full control with a joystick, roto key and buttons.
In conjunction with the CZone system you can also add a switch module have some buttons for common things you use. Check out Sam Jirik's 308 Skater or the new Skater Vee bottom. It has C zone that we did also.

Pstorti has hit the nail on the head. In reality C-Zone has some wow factor but in the end it's a bit inconvenient. Keep in mind it standard on Nor-Techs, I did not opt for it. IMO I would have preferred being given the option to select what things would be switched by toggle and what by C-Zone.

Keep in mind you have to turn batteries on first, fire up the Garmins and wait for them to cycle, then get to the switching screen then select what it is you are trying to power up. In addition you must leave your Garmin powered up the entire time to be able to turn the item off or power something else up. So every time I'm up at my boat storage tinkering I plug in the charger other wise I'm going to end up w/ a dead battery.

Ultimately Ron is helping me make the most of this technology.

You can install push buttons for quick or remote access to critical electronics. We installled push buttons on the side of my console for the Emergency Parallel, Battery switches, dash lights, and bilge pumps. Its out of sight but easily accessible. I also put push buttons in the front and rear hatches and Gunwhales to light the compartments from those locations.

We can also control the Czone on any screen and iPad or iPhone.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]563758[/ATTACH]
CZone on Garmin 7610

[ATTACH=CONFIG]563759[/ATTACH]
Console mounted push buttons

[ATTACH=CONFIG]563760[/ATTACH]
Also viewable and switchable on VV7

Ron does a great job on the electronics!

Thanks for the compliments guys. Just trying to make sure you guys get accurate information. Problem with boat builders is they sometimes do not give the customer the full options list and cover all the bases. I am sure they do not do it intentionally they just do not have all knowledge of what products can do. So what happens is guys get on the internet and trash certain things with not knowing all the information which hurts the manufactures and their products.
I would have done the Nortech package totally different to meet Michael needs but it is what is now. This is one of the values in dealing with a company that specializes in what they do. JMHO.

I had the benefit of having Electronics Unlimited spec and install all my electronics on the 1st build but that wasn't an option this go around.

As Ron has explained to me some boat builders have evolved to sticking to what they know best (boat building) allowing electronics experts like Electronics Unlimited to do what they do best.

A production builder like Formula probably offers you No Options where as a semi custom builder like NT offers some customization which is better than none but doesn't allow for Carte Blanc

New to me truck
 

Decided to get more serious about my towing. Replaced the 3/4 ton 2500HD SRW w/ a 1 ton 3500HD DRW. Noticeable difference.

A 75*+ February Sunday allowed us to get some boating in today. 1st boating day of 2017!👍

Looks good sir!

Thats some good looking rig! We had the same weather here yesterday, and took our maiden voyage in our new boat. Ran it for a solid 3 hrs to get all the motor break in done. Of course my boat is just a little smaller than yours!

Congrats on the New Boat. Can never be bad to get some Feb boating in not to mention the much anticipated "Break-In" out of the way!