Finally ready for a sea trial

[gottatanfl]

We finally have lebitch ready to go out on her first sea trial.

We had a long road and although we still have alot to do she is leaving the dock under her own power for the first time in 2 years.

This Saturday we are taking her for a short day trip to check everything, we are both sooo excited.

For anyone who undertakes a job like we did, you know this day felt like it would never come.

 

[Imthebeachgirl]

We will be thinking of you guys and raise a couple of cold ones in your honor! LOl, hope all goes well..let us know how she "rides"...~L~

 

[gottatanfl]

We left the dock at 9am Sunday and returned around 7pm was a great first run.

We are WAY over proped but at low rpm's she ran awesome, only problem we had with the big props was absolutely no speed!!
(She cant get her butt outta the water. lol)
But to run at displacement speed she was great.

Now we can start on the cosmetics.
Funny cause NO One at our marina thought she would ever leave the docks. Now they are all asking tons of questions and as excited about her progress as we are.

From a saltwater sunk boat 2 years ago in poor condition (she took on water through the exhaust, her engines were disassembled, the water stayed confined to the engine compartment, the PO did not want to mess with her so he brought her up and left her sit), She is now a great liveaboard (we moved aboard about 18 months ago) ALMOST ready for fulltime cruising!!!

So glad we choose a hatteras, for what she has been through, you would never know!!

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

Where on the St Johns River are you ?

But you're right, nothing like the feeling of leaving the dock after all you have gone thru. But am guessing the feeling you had when you returned and all was running smoothly made for a much better one...

And for a better night's sleep than what you probably had Saturday night

 

[gottatanfl]

Yes the trip was scary, had the engines compartment open the whole trip.
Double checking and triple checking...oil pressure, heat, packing, you know the drill.
Our gauges in the flybridge are not working properly so a little work to do there.

BUT the return trip to the dock last night was way better than the morning run. It took 3 hours going from Satsuma to Silver Glen and 4 hours returning same trip. (made a stop over for an hour or so)

Also returning dark, our lights decided not to work so we had a few solar power lights we hang on the boat at night while in the slip. We used those for a stern and bow light.

We currently are in Acosta Creek

 

[Imthebeachgirl]

Good news...I have enjoyed reading about your work on LeBitch! Can't wait to see/ride her! I hope you guys can come over this side for the Gasparilla Fest..chat soon...~L~

 

[Avenger]

Yep, it all sounds very familiar. It took me about two years from getting the boat to actually being able to run it. Mostly because so many other things got in the way of working on the boat. It's still a long way from fully operational, but it sure was exciting taking her out (Yes, with all the hatches open and oddly with only two working gauges also. Interesting parallel.) and pushing the throttles up.

Congrat's and enjoy running your "new" toy.

 

[gottatanfl]

Yes we only had two guages also, port oil and starboard temp

Our props were opposite rotation of the engines(captain understands that not me) anyway we traveled to the Glen in forward but he said we actually were in reverse. They changed the props around at the Glen and that made us go in forward.

I'm sure you captains understand that more than me. All I care about is she is cruising.

While he continues working on the bugs(lights, guages, stuff) I can now get stated on some of the cosmetics. We already redid the galley and of course the aft stateroom, those single beds had to go before we moved aboard.
But the salon needs carpet and furnishings, the forward head needs alot of work. Aft was redone prior to moving aboard also.

Need to paint the aft deck and put some seating there. I took the original seating off, I just didnt like it.

BUT all those things can be done over time, we can enjoy her on the weekends while doing that!

 

[gottatanfl]

We finally made a bit longer trip and ran into a few small problems.
Headed out on Wed got to GCS and the impeller went out in the generator.
Called a friend who met us in Jax with a new one. (we will get a spare for next trip)
Headed back out got into Ponce Inlet on Friday Great Trip we really enjoyed it.
Sunday fired up the engines...no port
Starter selonoid bad, tow boat brought us a new one (gonna get a couple spare for next trip)
Tuesday sat out the storm at anchor in Ponce Inlet, left around 2pm and arrived at the St Auggie anchorage on Tuesday evening.
Wed went over to Conch House for fuel (unsure if gauges are working)
we only needed 115 gallons, so we are very happy with her fuel economy!!!!
She is slow we left the Conch house at 1:30 pm and arrived at the Landing 7:00 pm..Generator decided not to work again Fuel Pump...We had a spare!!

We are going to go down to Silver Glen for the weekend and back to Welaka on Monday.

We are still learning what we need to take with us but we are enjoying our Hatteras!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JoJoDiver]

Congratulations on all the work you've done on this boat. I've been reading up on some of the work you've done and from a sunken boat!........like they say.......you've come a long way!

Joanne
Rusty Bucket IV