Well, after 2.5 years of ownership "McKenna Renee" took her maiden voyage Thursday night.

Lucky for me as I have never run anything bigger than a '23 single I/O, there was no wind, and only minimal current.

Left out just before dusk, idled the 1/2 mile out to the channel took her up on plane for about a mile @3k and then headed back in. Aside from losing the stbd side, things went ok. I discovered a slightly gummed up carb, and a bad trans cooler. Hopefully it didnt eat my clutch linings too much... Strawberry milk for transfluid is not good...

A few random thoughts:

- I was getting steam out of the exhaust when up on plane. Equal amount on both engines. Is this pretty normal? I moves PLENTY of water at idle so I doubt it is a restriction or bad impeller

- She rides very nose high... Have to get the trim tabs working still. Visibility from the lower station sucks at best. Need to get the bridge all hooked up

- I cannot figure out how to properly read the stock sync strobes

- For a 32 footer, she sure does handle crisply!!!

- Was worried my rudders were too small... Not so. Anything over 1k rpm, and she handles like an I/0

- Capac is a bit low (.075). Hope that won't do damage in the short term

- I surprised my self, and successfully docked coming back in on only the port engine

- Doesn't make nearly as much wake as I expected it to.

- Handles wave better than I thought (doubled back over my own wake)

- I have no swim platform or ladder. Any suggestions?


Well that is enough random thoughts for now... Plan to take her out for the day this weekend. Just hope the 4D battery and inverter are up to the task of keeping the grub and grog cold... I am VERY nervous about single handing especially with my 4 1/2 year old daughter aboard, but if the wind is calm, I am sure I will be fine...

Welcome to the wonderful world of “antique boats”. Gremlins are just a part of life and can actually make for some interesting stories. Couple of notes that caught my eye:

- Single engine docking can be a nightmare if it occurs at the wrong time. Practicing can make the event less of a worry, but ensuring that it doesn’t happen is the best remedy.

- Every M I have been on rides bow high. Get those trim tabs fixed ASAP. Visibility lost over the bow can be a very bad thing.

- I cannot echo enough the benefit of a heat gun. It can potentially save you thousands of dollars by detecting a problem early. Plus, when you have one, all sorts of strange uses come up.

- When up and “running on all cylinders “, these boats will not let you down. After 14 years of ownership, I am still impressed with the capabilities of an M. Proper maintenance is the key however.

Enjoy and have fun.
Scott

I suggest sucking the fluid out of that trans and replacing it. That milkiness bothers me--I hope the trans cooler isn't leaking water in. You'd better keep and eye on it.

On the steaming during running, I see that quite often at this time of year on mine as well.

Jeff

mfroggie exists

"I have no swim platform or ladder. Any suggestions?"

I suggest installing a ladder (that you can access from the water when swimming) as soon as possible.

It's almost impossible to get back aboard without one.

Ah..that may explain my encounter w/steam last year. But is it (air) actually the root of the steam since the water never gets hot enuf to vaporize.