Well, after 9 months and multiple full days wasted trying to piece the two motors together to make one good working one, I think I did it! It ran great in the drive way and now was time to do a shakedown trip to see if I fixed the problem.
I took down three bass rods and a handful of tackle in case it worked and I wanted to fish.
It was raining, but a well welcomed rain. The boat was working great as I ran it around the speed zone of the bay a bunch of times!
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/Latimeria3106/14332933_10154564744621912_6533195663422169782_n_zpssxnajash.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/Latimeria3106/14332933_10154564744621912_6533195663422169782_n_zpssxnajash.jpg.html)
I decided to run out in the ocean and take a look. There was lot's of bait, but not many macks. I did manage a few dozen Spanish and a lone Chub over the next hour or two, so I went to my bass spot in 50-55' of water to look for bass or halibut. My bass rod is a little light for those big baits, but I set up a nice halibut rig to see what happens.
Rain on a flat ocean!
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/Latimeria3105/P1000964_zps2p2bzeru.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/Latimeria3105/P1000964_zps2p2bzeru.jpg.html)
I get a bass bite, but lose it when it couldn't choke down that big bait. I started working the sand around a little structure when my rod doubles over! I was sure it was a big halibut, but it fought hard and didn't slide up like a halibut so I wasn't sure what it was. To my surprise, it was a big 11.8 pound Blue ling!
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/Latimeria3106/14364798_10154565299566912_3221566969805701663_n_zpsmecpxjo8.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/Latimeria3106/14364798_10154565299566912_3221566969805701663_n_zpsmecpxjo8.jpg.html)
Damn rain drop hit the camera lens just before it took the picture... lol
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/Latimeria3105/P1000962_zpszemgkdtx.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/Latimeria3105/P1000962_zpszemgkdtx.jpg.html)
I started slinging the Optimum swimbait with my other rod and got a nice rockfish.
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/Latimeria3105/P1000971_zpspgwk6ume.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/Latimeria3105/P1000971_zpspgwk6ume.jpg.html)
I didn't go much longer as I was soaked and wanted to get home to clean the boat up. It ran like a champ the entire time and I couldn't be happier!
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/Latimeria3105/P1000972_zpsocbpn3mp.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/Latimeria3105/P1000972_zpsocbpn3mp.jpg.html)
This is the last thing a Blacksmith saw...
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/Latimeria3105/P1000987_zpsfiacls4f.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/Latimeria3105/P1000987_zpsfiacls4f.jpg.html)
Here is the big Blacksmith... lol
(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q733/Latimeria3/Latimeria3105/P1000997_zpsr7bho6ei.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Latimeria3/media/Latimeria3105/P1000997_zpsr7bho6ei.jpg.html)
Well, it had nice blue meat and I couldn't have been happier. A great surprise fish for a great trip!
IT'S JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED! 8)
So happy for you Tom, the good luck was bound to visit you soon!
Gorgeous Ling!
sign me up for reservations on the Boma. ;D Glad to hear that it's running again, the YFT are within distance of the Boma.
Glad to hear you got her going after all the time and effort you put into it.
Very nice ling 8)
Hope you can get out again soon and score some tuna! 8)
Pure awesomeness
(http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i119/vdisney/thumbsupshirt.jpg) (http://s70.photobucket.com/user/vdisney/media/thumbsupshirt.jpg.html)
nice!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, there you go. Fish are trembling as we speak.
DUDE!! [clap] [clap] [clap] .... super stoked!! Man that musta felt good.
What was the final issue? Just needed some lightning?
Dude, look at how f'n happy you are out there! I'm glad the persistence paid off for you.
JOE