Project "Blue Venom" (aka "Solent Viper") - Page 3

Zippy · 16 August 2007, 10:45

looking good andy!

must be looking forward to getting her on the water now!!

Hightower · 16 August 2007, 15:40

Yeh, would be nice to cruise with your new arrival too.

How are you getting one with her?

Zippy · 16 August 2007, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Yeh, would be nice to cruise with your new arrival too.

How are you getting one with her?

Great so far, unfortunatly since she arrived i have been overseas more than at home so she isnt really getting the use yet! that said the weather has been pretty rubbish so no loss!

i was planning to use her next week when i am on leave but have decided to jet off to sunnier parts for a week R&R before i burn out!

she should be by the water all year now so some winter cruises are on the cards, expecially when yound Richards new arrival makes it here!

Hightower · 21 August 2007, 18:49

Shot up to Wolverhampton today to meet up with Roy and collect the Vipermax. Was an interesting journey as we passed a Lorry that nearly went though the central reservation and a skip lorry with chunks of mud and rocks falling off behind. Just as we thought we where out of the woods, saw another incident that must have happened moments before we arrived with a van on its roof and the driver layed out on a grass verge...... Hope everyone was OK!

Anyway I met up with Roy and had a bit of a chin wag whilst I inspected the RIB, is a terriffic job everyones done I must say.

I was a little concerned about the journey back as my Kia has never towed a RIB on the motorway before, so the nose weight was checked and concidered too heavy. The Vipermax was pushed back to allow the winch post to be moved untill the nose weight was just right and locked in this position.

She towed like a dream and a nice steady 60 was easily acheived. My Sportage just keeps amazing me and I must say I'm very pleased with everything.

A very uneventful trip home I'm glad to say, however I did meet a friendly face in the form of "Chris" at a Service station that came over to say hello, what was the chances of that hapening

The Rig fits up the drive with room to park both my cars too, so I'm happy there.

The only little sour point today was when I went to fit the Cover, was a little too snug and will not fit once I have all the railings, screen Etc on. So I have to phone up Bembridge outboards to see if their next size up is a wider beam.

Ian M · 21 August 2007, 20:04

Andy,
Looking good. Hope all goes well with the fit out. If I can be of any help.......

Nasher · 21 August 2007, 20:34

Looking good mate

All that worrying about it not fitting on the drive and measuring up would appear to have paid off.

Well done.

Nasher

Neil Harvey · 21 August 2007, 20:42

Andy,

congrats

you look well chuffed, and so you should

Good luck with the next stage

Neil

Chris · 21 August 2007, 20:47

Good to meet you today Andy, Blue Venom looks great and with some of your ideas in place will look very individual as well.

Chris

Nick Hearne · 22 August 2007, 08:13

So did you get any sleep last night?
Looking good, but then we new it would!

bedajim · 22 August 2007, 08:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

So did you get any sleep last night?
Looking good, but then we new it would!

Slept in it

Looks great

James

Nauti Buoy · 22 August 2007, 09:38

Looks very smart Andy, when are you getting the engine put on now, as I thought you were going to get this put on on your way back down. So you're gonna be busy this Bank Holiday.

Hightower · 22 August 2007, 12:25

First let me say thank you all, your kind wishes.

Just a bit of a quick update, today is being very hectic and isn't helped by the fact I'm off to work at 5.30.

Dropped the RIB off at Power Tech Marine this morning for the engine hanging and should be picking her up at 16:00 hrs with the outboard bolted in the right place (hope they remember it's a CCW rotation).

This way I'll have a more relaxed fit out before the Engine gets PDIed

Thanks again to everyone that has helped and supported me this far.

jwalker · 22 August 2007, 12:38

Congratulations Andy. Have you stopped smiling yet?

ChrisB123 · 22 August 2007, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Just had the news that Osprey have only today started work on the Layup of the hull this ties in nicely with the fact I've just bought an ex demo Evinrude 150DI which is an XL shaft, and 30hrs on the clock and 18 months warrenty left. This'll be fitted to the Vipermax a week or so after I've taken delivery. This gives me time to do a part fitout of the engine components, leaving the dealers to concentrate on fitting things at the engine end to include fitting and bleeding the steering.

I'm very relived at getting the outboard sorted as I can now specify an XL transom on the RIB.

Was wondering were you got the E Tec from as ive just part ex'ed mine for a 200.

ChrisB123 · 22 August 2007, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

First let me say thank you all, your kind wishes.

Just a bit of a quick update, today is being very hectic and isn't helped by the fact I'm off to work at 5.30.

Dropped the RIB off at Power Tech Marine this morning for the engine hanging and should be picking her up at 16:00 hrs with the outboard bolted in the right place (hope they remember it's a CCW rotation).

This way I'll have a more relaxed fit out before the Engine gets PDIed

Thanks again to everyone that has helped and supported me this far.

Hi Andy,

I think ive answered my own question. It looks like you've got the 150 i up graded from only last week. Say hi to keith and Phil, they did a great job for me. If i'd known you were in need i could have saved you a lot of dosh. Any way no worries, it is a great engine and its mint. Enjoy!!

Chris B

ChrisB123 · 22 August 2007, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisB123

Hi Andy,

I think ive answered my own question. It looks like you've got the 150 i up graded from only last week. Say hi to keith and Phil, they did a great job for me. If i'd known you were in need i could have saved you a lot of dosh. Any way no worries, it is a great engine and its mint. Enjoy!!

Chris B

I got it wrong. Just spoke to keith and he's still got my 150

Anyway your set up looks really good, perhaps meet up one day.

Cheers

Chris B

Hightower · 22 August 2007, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisB123

I got it wrong. Just spoke to keith and he's still got my 150

Anyway your set up looks really good, perhaps meet up one day.

Cheers

Chris B

Chris, I bought a 150 DI 2005 outboard, I couldn't afford an Etech, not even a second hand one. I got a years warantee as well.

ChrisB123 · 23 August 2007, 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Chris, I bought a 150 DI 2005 outboard, I couldn't afford an Etech, not even a second hand one. I got a years warantee as well.

Andy,

Did you see my etec? it was in their workshop, changed it last week.

Have now got a large block 200 etec (2008 model) and the performance is awesome. The speedo has a maximum of 60mph and it goes off the scale.

Chris B

OSPREY RIBS · 23 August 2007, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Shot up to Wolverhampton today to meet up with Roy and collect the Vipermax. Was an interesting journey as we passed a Lorry that nearly went though the central reservation and a skip lorry with chunks of mud and rocks falling off behind. Just as we thought we where out of the woods, saw another incident that must have happened moments before we arrived with a van on its roof and the driver layed out on a grass verge...... Hope everyone was OK!

Anyway I met up with Roy and had a bit of a chin wag whilst I inspected the RIB, is a terriffic job everyones done I must say.

I was a little concerned about the journey back as my Kia has never towed a RIB on the motorway before, so the nose weight was checked and concidered too heavy. The Vipermax was pushed back to allow the winch post to be moved untill the nose weight was just right and locked in this position.

She towed like a dream and a nice steady 60 was easily acheived. My Sportage just keeps amazing me and I must say I'm very pleased with everything.

A very uneventful trip home I'm glad to say, however I did meet a friendly face in the form of "Chris" at a Service station that came over to say hello, what was the chances of that hapening

The Rig fits up the drive with room to park both my cars too, so I'm happy there.

The only little sour point today was when I went to fit the Cover, was a little too snug and will not fit once I have all the railings, screen Etc on. So I have to phone up Bembridge outboards to see if their next size up is a wider beam.

Hi Andy,
Glad all went well on your return journey - your Sportage did really well! Looking forward to seeing pictures of Blue Venom on the water and it goes without saying, if you need any advice etc., just let me know.

Roy

Hightower · 23 August 2007, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSPREY RIBS

Hi Andy,
Glad all went well on your return journey - your Sportage did really well! Looking forward to seeing pictures of Blue Venom on the water and it goes without saying, if you need any advice etc., just let me know.

Roy

Thanks Roy, was a pleasure to meet you on Tuesday. Now I've collected the RIB it might give your telephone a chance to cool down

.