Project "Blue Venom" (aka "Solent Viper") - Page 9

Hightower · 25 October 2007, 18:57

Ok, game on! Picking the boat up tomorrow morning, all riged and PDIed. I'm gonna try and get out this weekend. Just have to connect up a few things before the off and away I go.

Anyone fancy comming along?

jwalker · 25 October 2007, 23:50

Yeh....me.

Ian M · 26 October 2007, 12:02

Andy,
What day are you thinking of?

Neil Harvey · 26 October 2007, 12:06

andy,
might be up for a trip,
which day?
and where from?
neil

Hightower · 26 October 2007, 13:17

I wasn't thinking of too much of an epic voyage as I haven't got any seats grab rails or any luxuries

Half the gauges aren't wired up either!

I was however thinking of a shakedown for all of 5 mins

in Portsmouth Harbour followed by a blast in the Solent , Portsmouth end.

Either Sat or Sunday would be good, however Sunday might be better as I can connect a few things before we go out, like the fuel gauge, bilge pump and VHF.

What time is high tide?

Hightower · 26 October 2007, 13:24

Lastest update is that on collection for the RIB from the workshop they where still working on the engine. Appartently it was proving difficult to remove air bubbles from the oil lines

After about 2hrs of bleeding things where looking promissing and the engine fired into life.

They've placed the outboard in Run-in mode again, just to make sure there's enough oil getting though (I'm glad it's still under warantee

)

Hydraulic steering's all bled though and is a rather comfortable 3.5 turns lock to lock, so I'm dead chuffed my calculations where bang on when buying the helm unit.

On the way home, along the motorway some maniac started tooting his horn, I thought something must have fallen off the trailer or RIB. Looked over to see Olly shooting past in his Subaru. Hi mate!

jwalker · 26 October 2007, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

I wasn't thinking of too much of an epic voyage as I haven't got any seats grab rails or any luxuries

Half the gauges aren't wired up either!...

Wait until it's finished. It'll be a whole lot better experience. Promise.

Nasher · 26 October 2007, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

Wait until it's finished. It'll be a whole lot better experience. Promise.

I have to say Andy I agree with JW.

As much as you want to get it on the water the half finished feel may spoil it for you.

Nasher

Neil Harvey · 26 October 2007, 17:10

If there's that much left to do, I agree, spend the time getting her finished, as much as you are aching to get her in adn give her a go.

Besides, have you decided on thename yet, you can't go anywhere until then

Hightower · 26 October 2007, 18:19

I might have found a name for it, but mums the word for the time being. As for waiting, I've been doing that since April, I only want to check the engine installation's gone smoothly and that I'm not going backward when I'm supposed to be going forwards

Biggles · 26 October 2007, 18:24

Andy,

Good luck on your maiden voyage.

DGR · 26 October 2007, 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

I might have found a name for it, but mums the word for the time being. As for waiting, I've been doing that since April, I only want to check the engine installation's gone smoothly and that I'm not going backward when I'm supposed to be going forwards

Erm... the thread is called 'Blue Venom'......

Why not?!?

Hightower · 26 October 2007, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGR

Erm... the thread is called 'Blue Venom'......

Why not?!?

I must admitt the name has grown on me, however it was never a serious name and was looking for something a little more light hearted.

Hightower · 26 October 2007, 21:42

Deck/Bilge Pump up and running.

Hightower · 27 October 2007, 18:24

All the electronics where wired and set up and running today. Everything is talking to each other on the nmea front and the only outstanding thing to do is to mount the Transducer to the transom.

The VHF Aerial has been mounted in a temp position near on the port side of the transom, and the Sat Aerial has been mounted into the top of the console.

The only problem I had was with the fuel sender/gauge, I think there is an incompaterbility between the gauge and sender. Or I've wired it up wrong

!

Elephants trunks are on and the retreival rope fitted.

I don't think I'll go out tomorrow, I'm not really feeling in the mood today as I've been let down by the stainless guy again, I have a seat here but it's a rough mock up and needs completing and it only took 3 weeks from when he said he was going to get both of them completed. I'll have words with him tomorrow!

Coupled with some problems fitting a BNC connector to the Nav system and the fuel Gauge issues, I must say I've had better weekends and won't risk going out in the frame of mind I'm in right now.

A good nights sleep's in order

Neil Harvey · 27 October 2007, 18:29

Hi Andy,

Better luck tomorrow, sorry you've not had such a good day.

I was going to ask you for the details of this stainless guy, but maybe I'll wait and see

KR

Neil

waverunner · 28 October 2007, 14:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Deck/Bilge Pump up and running.

Hightower,

From the photo that engine doesn't look like it is sitting right down onto the top of the transom?

Hightower · 28 October 2007, 14:04

Well it's blowing a hooly today and the rain is very wet.

I've been working on the seat back that I've got and have cut out some wooden chassis for the seat cusions to fit.

With a bit of luck the rain will ease later and alow me to access the console.

Neil Harvey · 28 October 2007, 14:15

Andy, when you get a minute, could you post a pic just of the frame? Also, how have you joined the ply at the back?

Cheers

Neil

Hightower · 28 October 2007, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil Harvey

Andy, when you get a minute, could you post a pic just of the frame? Also, how have you joined the ply at the back?

Cheers

Neil

It's only a part complete frame, but enough for me to cut the ply backs.

The backs will have straps welded on where the seat backs are being fitted. These will be flush to the edge of the tube so that the ply will appear to sit on the tube and not in it. Straps and or lugs will be welded on for the wings also.