Guys,



Fuel delivery hardware is installed. Awaiting delivery of all the AN fittings and pushlock hose.



Found this little bugger on the top of the tank pickup. It has a .308” through hole. Shoutout to Neil Wallace for a heads up on this issue. It would have been a significant restriction in fuel flow, and a major PITA to address once the engine is back in. It’s going into the circular file, getting replaced by an 3/8” ID elbow, and a proper check valve is going in on the outlet of the pump, where Weldon says it should be.

Now to work on getting the oil filter and drive oil reservoir mounted on the other side.

Thanks. Brad.

That picture reminds me, are you going to get rid of that cable power assist steering and go with at least a half hydraulic?

Wildman,

Sadly, not at this juncture. It’s just not in the financial cards.

I know, I know…..

It’s not falling on deaf ears. It just seems everything is $4-500, if it’s a dime, and the little sh!t is starting to add up. I told her I could keep it under $10K, and we’re well on track to keep it that way. At some point, though, the CFO is going to ask when it ends, and start looking at open bow Rinkers again, like she was before we bought this boat. She doesn’t mind the speed, but she doesn’t need it. She only concedes because I “need” it, but that will only get me so far.

To be fair, even at 75-77MPH previously, the boat has been stable and solid; not even that first hint of it wanting to do anything wonky. It does develop a little chine walk, but I can usually steer that out and it runs true. I’m a pretty vanilla driver. I only run hard straight and never in anything but relatively calm water, only in a traffic clear path, and I NEVER air it out.

It’s on my radar, but, for right now, it’s a “prove it to me” problem.

Thanks. Brad.

Thank you for not saying happy wife happy life , every time I hear that I think my God man , get your balls out of her purse and put the pants back on.
Erica was scared to go fast so I kept making the Cig. faster, She didn`t really want a cat but I got one anyway, Happy Husband Happy life is her motto.

FYI in speaking with Weldon dude he told me the pumps are not sealed from water intrusion and recommended I dab some silicone on the screws and pump body joints. Odd being a "marine" pump it would not come this way but ok...

Speaking of water intrusion, did you seal all those new holes in the transom?

Ryan,

All the fabricated parts will be going for black anodize once they are all done (there are a few left), and the screw holes will be sealed with 4200 upon final assembly.

Thanks. Brad.

I have said this many times on here, but I will say it one more time. Hydraulic steering is the single best improvement you can do to a boat, especially at 80mph. It is a safety issue as well. I realize that there is always a budget, but some things should not be overlooked or put on the back burner. I am sure you have seen pics of what happens when a boat swaps ends at speed.

This !!!

If I would have known how much of a difference it would have made on my old Fountain, it would have been the FIRST thing I did to it. Full hydraulic was literally the single best thing I did to that boat, and it already had external add on hydraulic.

I have always said the 2 best upgrades I have done to any boat was full hydraulic steering and a full cover.
I didn't realize how s#itty my boat actually handled.