Took all day today to get the My Time launched and 1st Run !! I had 1 glitch on the install where I installed the stop switches with normally open switches, which should have been normally closed. No harm, but we bypassed them until I can special order 2 new replacement switches. For now, we'll just use the keys to turn them off. They cranked right up after that except all the mechanics left the covers on the air cleaners, and obviously the engines stopped pretty quickly. For the next 4 hours the Cummins rep worked on the setup, but Ahhhh there was a problem. No communication between the two engines which I have been asking about for weeks and weeks. There is a required communication wire we didn't get and it will be here Friday so the engines can then be configured properly.

We left the dock about 3:30 or so, and it's like a new boat to learn to drive. It tends to be sensitive on the throttles like a Verado and can tend to jump as the boat is put in gear and the boat is certainly lighter despite 4 hefty guys; but we did only have maybe 150 gallons of fuel on board. It's got a great deep sound which I have a feeling will raise some GOOD FISH ! We ran it for a while at 1200 RPMs to warm up and put a partial load on the engines, but after that we pushed her up to 2200 rpms crusing speed and she was right at 29.6 knots. Nice ride and quiet until you feel and hear the power kick in with the turbo wine ! Never had a bit of smoke at startup or otherwise. I didn't notice what we did at WOT which was right at 2650 or so, but I think it was about 35 knots, and that's fast boys ! I'll probably normall cruise at 1900 rpms - 2000 rpms just because I like to take it easy on things sometimes, but the power is amazing and I'm very pleased. The official sea trial with all the test equipment may be tomorrow, or maybe next Wednesday if the other folks with Cummins decide to come.

There was more work for me this weekend than I thought. 15 hours later, I'm really close to being finished for all rewiring. When I powered up the AC and DC current, I had a major glitch at the helm. The main switches from the panel no longer supplied power to the helm. I had to rewire the power source to the helm and install new fuses. Bildge pumps, lighting, alarms, and new sensor lights all now seem to work properly. I didn't finish one forward bildge pump as the yard is replacing those pumps and they're shorted out right now until they are finished, but I'm done with that wiring; the running lights are not plugged into the helm switch yet, as I ran out of energy, and I need to see the lights as they activate with the switch to insure opperation, so I'll probably just do that when I get the boat home. I also rewired the fuel transfer pump, as I had a ground problem, but that now works great and I think I'll be very happy with that system. I also rewired the water tank sensor system into the Smart Craft network so I can see water tank levels at the helm. The two fuel tank wirings are now complete and tied into the system too. No pictures this time, as the boat is about to get a first cleaning, and I'll just wait for that.

The batteries took a while to recharge, but 24 hours later all three seem to be up to "full" and ready for the first cranking. The stereo was a primary focus on the weekend also as I had no sound in the cockpit and helm, after about an hour, it sounds great and ready for fishing.

We've been building the new door at the house and it's coming along nicely. We've go white aluminum on both sides now and just about ready to cut out for the glass and make a new frame. Maybe that will happen this week, but then we'll need to order the glass (safety laminated glass) which will take a while to fabricate. Right now the door is 1" thick and very heavy, but once we cut out for the glass, that should lighten it up. It will be a bit shorter than the slider, but I think everyone will get used to it and it will be better to operate a swinging door as opposed to a slider.

The outside of the hull is now waxed, and the shafts, rudders, and props were reinstalled this afternoon; it's starting to look like a boat again. The launch day has been rescheduled for Wednesday, and I think Cummins reps are to be on-site Thursday for system checks and calibrations.

I know all this is pretty boring, but this serves as a general log of items and their progress.

We've been thinking that the shafts may have not been made to specifications provided to the machine shop in Savannah, and sure enough when they were installed this week, we determined they were just 1/2 " too long or so based on std. specifications for the distance between the end of the strut bearing and prop hub. The props could only be installed or removed if the rudders were not in place. NOT ACCEPTABLE ! The shop will pay for the mistake, but we loose about 3 days this week. The shafts should be ready Monday, and we've rescheduled a tentative launch date for Wednesday. The boat will still have lots to do to get it ready for fishing though. Cleanup, ceiling install, cabinet install, punch-list in engine room, Cleanup, Cleanup, Cleanup.

Hull is being waxed this week, new name on transom, raw water supply to engines completed, speed wheel replaced, surge tube support mounted to panels, mid bildge pumps were being replaced last evening.

Today I'll be reviewing and finishing connections to switches at the helm, running speed wheel wiring, switching on the batteries today, and plugging in converter.

I'm determined to splash the boat later this week. It's time to get out of the yard. Walls went back in today (blue protective plastic), and Racors are mounted again, fuel is being filtered with a portable fuel pump, hoses are all hooked up, starboard exhaust is complete with mount, port is not back in yet, but all engine room wall panels are back up and hopefully permanently installed. I helped Rod install bulkhead walls, and I ran new wires for fuel primer pump, mounted switch for oil transfer system, hooked up engine starter cables and aft fuel tank sensor, and WIF sensor wiring. Last weekend I ran the foward fuel tank sensor wiring, installed the hot water tank with PGP and installed more control cable wiring.

Old T-Shirt logo with new colors... new redesigned fish..what do you think about this design for the transom? Dive ladder grab bar is in the way....as it was before.

Progress ! 2 engines back in the boat for the 2nd time for alignment, permanent bolting, and installation of new exhausts from DeAngelo Marine Exhaust in Ft. Lauderdale (thanks to TomTom's Overnight Delivery Service). I spend about 10 hours Saturday and Sunday running control cables to the engine in 95 degree heat and had to quit Sunday when the power to the personel fan quit while rewiring block heater wiring, and running some new lighting. Thursday, Pepi will pick up the props in Beaufort on the way to the barn. The old name was wet sanded off the transom and the new one is in the works.