Adam F Posted December 31, 2008 Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 (edited) A few people have asked about our boat, so having now run a few hours on her I thought I'd share a few thoughts and observations.... In no particular order.... She runs about the speed we expected with the 190hp D3 - 3000 revs gives us 22 knots unless tide is pushing / helping. 2600 gives us about 17/18 knots - which seems to be a really nice crusing speed even in a moderate chop or swell. We are over proped by 2" and running flat out at 3600 rpm gives 32 knots. She runs flat as a die when well balanced, but crew moving around does effect lateral stability - careful positioning of weight buckets and crew solves this - it is easy to forget that she is only 23' when onboard and thus expect more from her! When well balanced she runs true regardless of sea state (so far) today in a 40 min run back from the island I had to alter course about 5 times, point and go - the deep vee really does perform well. Like many boats a sea on the nose is a little bumpier, but she seems to stradle waves/chop well - today we had these conditions and the bumps occured every 7 or 8 wavelets. With the sea on the stern she is a dream and doesnt broach or lean at all. Nice. Underway a beam on sea is also fine and doesnt effect the boat. The worst conditions seem to be at anchor with a beam on sea where the deep vee seems to roll a bit. Always a trade off..... but one we can live with. We look forward to testing her in a proper big sea. At anchor she also sits quite bow down, which feels a little weird, but isnt an issue. Underway this is corrected and she had a nice slight bow up run which feels stable and safe. The bow is a little precarious (sp) when going forward even with high bow rail and cabin rails. The tight head room in the wheelhouse isnt such an issue as we thought it might have been. The hydraulic helm seat is something to fall in love with...... Although we need to sort the passangers out with something other than standing (alrrady underway!) Stern drives are a basta$rd to manouvre into a tight berth We'll get there!! The Volvo is awesome! The Lowrance radar is fecking amazing. We wernt expecting much from it, but after running down to the island today and the radar picking up EVERY buoy, vacht, fishing boat and rock we are both amazed. We picked up Gastronaught ( an open Orkney 520) from 1.5 miles away - before we saw her - well done Lowrance! All in all, she is better than we hoped / expected. There isnt anything we would change or add, and we look forward to many happy hours in her in 2009. Adam Edited December 31, 2008 by Adam F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedger Posted December 31, 2008 Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 Awesome ! Cracking reward for your effort!! Happy New Yew guys T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Adam/Bob Pleased as punch for you. hopefully you will join us in a trip over the channel in the spring Happy new year to all who sail/fish in her Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Nice one Mate All in all, she is better than we hoped / expected. There isnt anything we would change or add, and we look forward to many happy hours in her in 2009 I bet I can think of something you would add, a 21lb turbot in the icytec How are you getting on with the plotter? I bet Bob spent ages checking it yesteday in the warm. Really pleased for you Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted January 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Oh, yes - we were discussing Alderney yesterday. Cant wait! After all it's only a few week now! Plotter - Bob knows it like the back of his hand, it's a first time with Lowrance for me. I'm getting there. I really, really miss the full alpha/numeric keypad my last Garmin had, and I miss the detailed tidal info format the Garmin gave, but I'm starting to like the 'Windows' style format of the Lowrance. For the basic facilities it is dead easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Hi again Adam I have never used Garmin in detail, but love the Lowrance I have mine usually on the Map/sonar page with the navigation info written over the map in medium size. even at 20 knots I get a reasonable colour sonar picture and can view everything I need on one screen. If you move the cursor to a tidal indicator you get a direction and flow info, if you then press wpt you will get the info for the day at that point. [as I said i do not know how garmin show it, so I can not compare] I have become a fan of the sonar recordings and the way info can be saved and replayed at home on the pc I am sure that you will find using the pc to save info to a SD card then simply loading from the card to the plotter a piece of cake. I would offer to show you but as Bob is the Guru I am sure you will soon get the hang of it. but if I can help please ask Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted January 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 At the moment we are running the 10" main screen as a whole screen map with data down the RHS. The 2nd 8" display is used as 80/20 split Radar and Sonar when steaming, or 100% sonar if the radar isnt required. I agree, both show clear data though. The Garmin had the menu option to pull up a tide page and change the port in a menu without having to find it on a map (quicker and easier) We havent worked out a way of loading weypoints on the PC and then transfering to the unit via SD card. Ive a whole book of numbers I'd like to move over - any idea? Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Adam, You can load them on to an SD card using LOwrance GPS Data Manager I think. http://www.lowrance.com/en/Downloads/GPS-Data-Manager-GDM/ Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted January 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 I downloaded the software but found it to be the most useless piece of software Ive ever used!!.... Maybe I need some tuition?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Hi Adam 1 Let me have all your numbers I will put them on a spare SD card [ Or maybe two ] and let you have one of the cards back. 2. Pop over and I will show you how I do it on mapcreate that came with an earlier Lowrance, you can download a simular system Free from Lowrance website, The background map is crap but it's a method of typing in waypoints that can easily be transfered to ether of your sets by SD card, and although the map is U/S except as a rough guide I still load info onto the card from the plotter and then save it in mapcreate data file to review later and as a backup. it shows tracks waypoints events and can calculate distances and help with passage planning. ie all the info from Alderney 2008. is saved ready for Alderney 2009 Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shytalk Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 dont tell em your name pike !!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Adam, How about this: GPS Utility http://www.gpsutility.co.uk/files/gpsu498setup.exe'> http://www.gpsutility.co.uk/files/gpsu498setup.exe Import \ Conversion http://www.gpsutility.co.uk/files/gpsufc126setup.exe Main website: http://www.gpsu.co.uk/ Best bit...............it's free!! Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fransy73 Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Hi Adam, nice to read that your boat performes very well but also about some of the "goods and bads" about it. I will go for a test-drive soon and than make up my mind. For sure I go for a duo-prop as she makes manoeuvring a little easier and also doesn`t have a wheel-effect at higher speed ( no leaning of the boat). Perhaps trim-flaps can help to keep the boat more stable as well? Anyway, Joint Venture looks great and hopefully she does the job in a big sea. Greetings, Frans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted January 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Frans, Not sure where you are based, but if you want a ride out in ours you are more than welcome, just drop me a line. Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob F Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 Adam, I can input the numbers onto an SD card. Drop the book off at my place. BF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted January 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Another update on the radar: Used it again yesterday and it was the first time JV has been out after dark, it was also new to me being in a wheelhouse in the dark and not being able to use the MK1 eyeball to steer home (twas toasty warm though! ) The Lowrance radar really proved it's worth as we neared Poole, showing up 3 potential collision course boats, numerous small pot and marker boys and then finally the start of the East Looe channel. I'm a definate convert. Tom and Charlie - both Quest and Alfresco showed pretty signficant targets on the screen. Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted January 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Another update on the radar: Used it again yesterday and it was the first time JV has been out after dark, it was also new to me being in a wheelhouse in the dark and not being able to use the MK1 eyeball to steer home (twas toasty warm though! ) The Lowrance radar really proved it's worth as we neared Poole, showing up 3 potential collision course boats, numerous small pot and marker boys and then finally the start of the East Looe channel. I'm a definate convert. Tom and Charlie - both Quest and Alfresco showed pretty signficant targets on the screen. Fuel consumption -- she seems to be using just under 1 litre per mile. We did about 35 miles yesterday on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Hi Adam she looks good even in the dark. Thanks again for the escort up the harbour, it sounds like the fresh water needs a slight top up, just could not do it with the engine at running temp. It will take a couple of trips to get used to looking throgh glass but a nice snug cabin is appreciated on a day like yesterday. Good news on the fuel consumption, I am sure you will find it slightly higher in rougher weather and once a few more spares are loaded, but running costs less than the warriors sounds good. I am going to see Volvo later if I get an update on that warning we have both experianced recently, I will update you Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 I have to say, Joint Venture looked great yesterday. I got to see her from several directions at different speeds. Chris (co-owner) also commented on what a good job you guys had done whilst alongside. By far the most common alarm I have come across on any of the D series engines has resulted in the coolant levels being a tiny bit too low. We are talking 1mm or 2mm beneath the line. If it goes beneath the sensor, it alarms up. Frustratingly reassuring if you know what I mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Thanks Tom, Volvo at Salterns agree They are going to look into what the message on the tacho means and why it does not read out as it shows in the manual. The most frustrating thing is that with the engine at running temp, it can not be topped up. In hindsight I should have remembered to top it up yesterday after it cooled down whilst fishing and before we came back in. it will only take about 1/2 a cup full. I would rather return carefully as we did, than cause future problems. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Great to see your getting good use out of the boat already Adam and enjoying getting to know her. At least if the fishings no good you've got all those toys to play with to keep you occupied PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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