I have been battling a head/sinus/chest cold for the past 5 days but yesterday I figured we better test this boat as we bought it after only running it on the hose.
So the wife and I put the sucker in at the local ramp, fired it right up and headed out to the water (with our hand-held radio and boat US tow card)..
When I pushed the throttle forward the boat came on plane faster than ANY boat I have ever been in. It must have jumped up within 20ft or less.
Top speed was nothing to brag about, this I guessed had to do with the prop. The way it pulled out of the hole and how quick I hit max rpm told me the previous owner used this for tubing/skiing and I'll be looking for a bigger wheel soon.
Turning, again nothing great. Under hard turns I was able get some cavitation from the prop and a little slide out of the boat. But keep in mind this is not a race boat so I dont think its an issue.
After playing in the smooth water I headed out to the chop, nothing major maybe some 1-2ft of washing machine style waters. The boat handled remarkably well and my wife and I both stayed dry and secure. I even cut behind a couple cruisers to hit there wakes to see how she felt.. no problems.
Idling in and out if some canals was different. The little boat would just get pulled around with the current. Not really a problem, just tap the throttle and push threw.. like I said not a problem just pointing it out.
Overall the boats ride and feel of a boat bigger than a 16ft and the family and I look forward to a summer of skiing/tubing fun.
Side note * the prop was a 17p on a 115hp merc. I would say a 19p, or maybe even a 21p would be better.
So the wife and I put the sucker in at the local ramp, fired it right up and headed out to the water (with our hand-held radio and boat US tow card)..
When I pushed the throttle forward the boat came on plane faster than ANY boat I have ever been in. It must have jumped up within 20ft or less.
Top speed was nothing to brag about, this I guessed had to do with the prop. The way it pulled out of the hole and how quick I hit max rpm told me the previous owner used this for tubing/skiing and I'll be looking for a bigger wheel soon.
Turning, again nothing great. Under hard turns I was able get some cavitation from the prop and a little slide out of the boat. But keep in mind this is not a race boat so I dont think its an issue.
After playing in the smooth water I headed out to the chop, nothing major maybe some 1-2ft of washing machine style waters. The boat handled remarkably well and my wife and I both stayed dry and secure. I even cut behind a couple cruisers to hit there wakes to see how she felt.. no problems.
Idling in and out if some canals was different. The little boat would just get pulled around with the current. Not really a problem, just tap the throttle and push threw.. like I said not a problem just pointing it out.
Overall the boats ride and feel of a boat bigger than a 16ft and the family and I look forward to a summer of skiing/tubing fun.
Side note * the prop was a 17p on a 115hp merc. I would say a 19p, or maybe even a 21p would be better.
