OK, these are my observations about running the boat. No
surprises, but I think they're interesting. Pick your area:
Anchoring; Anchoring on lakes, in grass
Navigation: Following the chart plotter
Prop: A never ending discussion
Dinghy: How we set it up, etc.
Boat: Stuff happens
This picture shows me hard at work, fixing important things>
Anchoring with the Sprint winch is great, however setting the anchor is not always easy. There is a dichotomy between Judy and Boris as to how much engine power proves the Bruce is set. For a while, we were backing down until the windlass clutch would slip. That probably isn’t good for the clutch, so we’ll tie off the rode and go back to discussing the set.
The Bruce appears good in grass, even when the wind changes. Saw one ~34’ power boat, with a anchor the same as Journey On’s. We may be over powered anchor wise, but the big boat drug onto the rocks and destroyed the keel, so I assume it was underpowered. The CG got them off, and a tug dewatered the boat and hauled them in. Since I hadn’t heard of any high winds, I assume either the set was bad, or the anchor was too small. Bruce holds for sure in 17 knts wind with gusts to 28. Holds when wind shifts.
We anchored in a small inlet in Bone Island, which we chose because it would be sheltered from the predicted 20 knt east winds. As we entered we watched a number of boats pulling up their anchors, which were covered in grass. Sunday eve return to home. So when we anchored, than anchor wouldn’t give a good set, and came up covered in grass (surprise.) Once the anchor broke loose as we backed down, it would not reset. The fourth time we took the set we got. This led to an anxious night and thence to a new anchoring rule: If you don’t get a good set after three times, leave that anchorage. By the way, the winds didn’t come that night, absolute calm.
The damn boat sails at anchor. All our sailboats did, but I had hopes for this power boat. Even tried putting up the aft cockpit curtains, but that didn’t help. Quite a feeling when the anchor rode goes taught at the end on a swing, and you’re still wondering if the anchor held. In 12 knt wind, sails through 70 deg.
We have learned to anchor in 4’, we need 2 1/2' (motor up.) Took Judy several anchorages to get used to this. Lake stuff, no waves, no tide. Anchored in 5’, then drifted back over the sand shelf, got off the boarding ladder and waded around.
Depth sounder now has temperature. Shallow surface water up to 75 F. Normal water ~66.
Navigation has become a matter of following the route on the chart plotter. Here in Georgian Bay (and also the Trent Severn Canal,) they supply a buoyed small craft route through the rocks and bays, complete with secondary routes. These routes are marked on both the paper and electronic charts, so one follows the line on the chart plotter, and counts bouys. Of course, I do check the difference between reality and the chart, by seeing how close and on what side we pass the bouys. There’s mostly a N-S variation here.
The C-Map chips have been great with our 6.5” chart plotter. I’m sure that other chips would be every bit as good, but I do know that C-Map works for us. Every once in a while, when you’re zooming in or out, the screen comes up blank, so you have to go up/down another level. One problem is correlating the overall trip with what you can see on the plotter. This is where paper charts come in handy. You plot the overall trip out on the big chart (large scale?) then transfer the detailed trip to electronic waypoints.
I am amazed by the accuracy of the C-Map chips. When we’ve gone into small bays, and using the high resolution, we’ve been able to go right into the anchorage, avoiding the shoals. And we’re following the 6’ contour, deep water. Of course, this is after we’ve checked reality vs. charts.
A couple of anchoring incidents, (dragging in Moiles Harbour and the BIG power boat dragging,) have made us conservative when we go out. Probably too conservative, but that’s Judy’s job.
A popular, never ending topic with power boats, as I’ve found. Last year we went through the plastic prop thing, this year the SS prop.
I’ve noticed that the boat is a little slower in the Great Lakes. I think that boats float lower in fresh water. Also, Judy probably packs the boat heavier now. Anyway the prop is still a 4 bladed Apollo, with 16” pitch. Vibrates a little, which I think is interaction between the trim tab and the prop.
We’re getting 4 gpsm at ~ 7 knts. At this speed we can see where we’re going. Across a couple of lakes we whipped it up to 14 knts to avoid the chop. Nice to have the option.
Same 10 ½’ Achilles. Great dinghy, and this air floor is wonderful. Solved the problem of using the 9.9 Honda on both the C-Dory (as a get-me-home) and for the dinghy. Built a removable hoist to move the motor between the boat and dinghy. The first picture shows the unassembled parts, which can be stored in the space under the motor well. Second, the mounting plate, which is bolted to the motor well. Next the hoist assembled, and connected to the motor. The red strap takes out the torque caused by the motors’ weight, and hooks to the handle on the back of the cabin. Then we show the hoist in action, with the dingy backed up, and Judy ready to hoist. Just lift the motor off the bracket, turn it around and set it down on the dinghy. Works great, takes about 5 min. Judy on the boat, me in the dinghy. Also made motor plates for the dinghy to raise the motor 5”, as shown in the picture. Two plates of 3/16 Al, filled with starboard. Works great, dinghy now planes easier, and less spray. Thanks to Larry Roteman.
Motor is still too heavy (108 lbs.) Should’ve looked at Tohatsu.
Boat hook is good depth gauge on dinghy.
Couple of small things:
Side window handles fly off when closing window. Factory glue is shitty. Used grey tape as emergency handle. Looking for solution.
When going down the road, on the trailer, a lot of things bounce around. The sliding drawers will pop out. I drilled a ¼” hole in the side of the drawer and the wood guide. A ¼” bolt will pin the drawers in when traveling.
Blew out a couple of fuses feeding power to the trailer. Finally figured out that I had turned up the gain on the trailer brakes too high, thus blowing out the fuse. Have to turn the gain down when the boat is off the trailer, and up again when the boat is loaded. Marked the correct settings with finger nail polish. They don’t carry the Ford cartridge fuses in Canada.
Moved port windshield wiper switch next to w.w. Now Judy doesn’t have to ask for the port ww switch on, and frees up a panel switch.
Trim tabs on rear need to be bought up when trying to go fast.