new here - Page 2

TorontoDiver · 13 April 2015, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by r3tmac

Mine looks all the same as yours but I also have a T Top.

Hi Mac, is it the T-Top from Highfield or an aftermarket that Jamie sourced? will be interested to hear your feedback on it. how much additional? Mine will have the 'panam Bimini top' which may be nice with family but I'm sure I'll be embarassed to have up very often!

By chance did you find out from Jamie how much the A frame was?

MatFromPoland · 13 April 2015, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by TorontoDiver

sounds like a plan

The problem is to meet in reality in the middle ....

The middle is in the middle of Atlantic Sea.

But we can be virtual team and share problems and solutions.

About T-top and BiMini -> normal wind in Greece is 4-6 BF.
We do prefer to wear Rash-Guards and special caps (+60 UV)

r3tmac · 13 April 2015, 21:57

Jamie gave me the option of either the Bimini top or the T- top, the T- top looks better so we chose that. looks more like a pro dive boat.
The Bimini top would provide more shade but I can always get something custom made later to shade the area between the T Top and the A frame.
The rear A frame sold to me for $1200 , it includes seating for 2 built in to the A frame.
With the A frame I can also attach a dive ladder to it, I may have to get my buddy to weld up a stainless mounting bracket for that.
Will know later when I get the boat home.
So now lots of extra seating with the 2 A frame seats, the console seat on the front of console and the drivers seat I picked the high one for standing or sitting.
Still have enough room for dive tanks and gear, hopefully!

r3tmac · 13 April 2015, 22:00

Not sure if the T-top is Highfields or aftermarket. It is a good solid one and made from aluminum. comes with this boat.
The A frame is powder coated steel.

This is the ladder I kept from my old boat, it is the 4 step one, I will have to modify it to make it work. http://www.armstrongnautical.com/ladders.htm

r3tmac · 13 April 2015, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatFromPoland

The problem is to meet in reality in the middle ....

The middle is in the middle of Atlantic Sea.

But we can be virtual team and share problems and solutions.

About T-top and BiMini -> normal wind in Greece is 4-6 BF.
We do prefer to wear Rash-Guards and special caps (+60 UV)

Nice hat Matt, I just slather suntan lotion on me.LOL

MatFromPoland · 14 April 2015, 06:40

I looked more like Indiana Jones

not so handsome unfortunately ...
Please find below mentioned picture of T-Top from London boat show fixed on OM590DL (is yours the same) ?

blootac · 14 April 2015, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by r3tmac

Hi everyone, I am new here and am thrilled to be the owner of a nice Highfield OM 540.
Mac

Hi r3tmac!

I'm very VERY jealous of your Highfield! How does it feel and handle? Is there a noticeable difference between your ALU and the GRP hulled boats?

oh, and welcome

r3tmac · 14 April 2015, 14:55

Matt, almost the same, but my T Top is bright aluminum and I have an bigger A frame on the back.
Mine has a standup seat for the console.
Blootac, the boat is still getting outfitted at the dealer and I am picking it up this weekend, so I have no idea yet how it handles in the water.
Will have pictures soon too.

MatFromPoland · 19 April 2015, 09:16

Please remember about pictures. I'm curious about this AFrame.

r3tmac · 19 April 2015, 12:59

Ok I have my boat home now and took some pictures. I can not get it out on the water until next weekend, there is still too much ice.

TorontoDiver · 19 April 2015, 17:20

Looks great Mac! Too bad about the ice killing off the fun for the first weekend

MatFromPoland · 19 April 2015, 18:06

Nice setup. Please give feedback after few days on the water.
By the way - is it HONDA CRV ? I like HONDA, but on the end have decided to install EVINRUDE on my boat.

r3tmac · 19 April 2015, 22:09

Mat, here is a few more pictures of the A frame.
Yes it is a Honda CRV ,pulls the boat easy.

MatFromPoland · 25 April 2015, 21:57

Ok, my setup:

low trim, accelerate, trim up and speed is usually 50-60 km/h within seconds on lake

We tested it on 2 lakes connected by natural channel. On lakes speed was between 40 km/h till 75 km/h. Channel - 6km/h. Very quite engine, even on low speed looks like V6 engine - not any vibration at all

Still few modification awaits.

Seaflyer02 · 25 April 2015, 22:26

Perfect set up

r3tmac · 27 April 2015, 01:35

The ice is gone!
I got the boat out today! water is still very cold 36F
Boat runs beautiful and it got up to 52 KPH today at 5000 RPM.
Went on plane instantly.
Thats not bad for a 70 HP 4 stroke.

MatFromPoland · 27 April 2015, 06:44

What WOT is recommended for your engine ? Usually it is 5500.
So you can change prop to smaller one.

It is light boat so 70 HP be enough.

My target is a month in Greece (Aegan See) and we are 5 persons family (2+3) and all family member like snorkel. So we have a lot of people and gear on the boat.
5 x (short Neoprene suits, neoprene waist, automatic waist, fins, mask, pipe, bags ...)
Plus even inflatable kayak ... And some water and dry food.

Plus we plan long daily trips like 100 km in one way. This is a reason why I select maximum possible engine. EVINRUDE 115 HO weight the same than HONDA BF 100
Plus it was good offer in Poland for this engine.

For lake and not so many people 70-80 HP is good enough - I'm pretty sure.

r3tmac · 27 April 2015, 13:14

Yes my WOT is 5500 rpm, but I prefer not to run it that high, it is best to back down the throttle a little bit? It can not be good for an engine to run at WOT for long periods of time?

JamesF · 27 April 2015, 14:03

I don't know what effect throttle setting has by itself, except that the least stressful manifold pressure difference occurs at maximum throttle.

Engine wear rate increases with RPM to the power four, if I remember rightly.

MatFromPoland · 27 April 2015, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by r3tmac

Yes my WOT is 5500 rpm, but I prefer not to run it that high, it is best to back down the throttle a little bit? It can not be good for an engine to run at WOT for long periods of time?

To check if you have proper propeller for your boat it is good to make one test:

1. After you warm up engine
2. After 10 minutes of normal cruise speed at 4000 RPM
3. Full throttle half a minute and check RPM. If you reach 5500 or a little higher (if you be alone) - you have right propeller.

If not (below), you can consider to use prop with lower pitch (1 inch is usually 300 RPM more). Perfect fit prop is like perfect ATM for a car ...

Mine WOT with full load is 5500 RPM (300 kg of people), with me alone 5800.
I'm trying to have 4000 RPM but EVINRUDE pushes me to have 4500 even 5000 on calm water.

On long cruise will try to follow l / 100 km consumption and will try to operate between 3800 - 4500 RPM (50km/h - 60 km/h on the lake, less on the Sea I think)