7 foot itis

I was in Mike's neck of the woods..a but chilly..but not like Northern Virginia...our flight out of Dulles last Wednesday was cancelled due to snow and ice. Our options were to do the stand by kabuki dance (remain in the terminal with 5 and two year old boys) or get a confirmed seat out on Saturday (maybe..this is an Airline promise, not a real contract) so we sucked it up (Army term) and drove 850 miles to the land of Disney, Sea Rays, Space Shuttles, and Alligators. Departed DC Wednesday afternoon, overnighted (sorta) in Savannah, Georgia, (Go Dawgs!) then rolled into Cocoa Beach on Thursday around noon. Relaxed a bit then hit Kennedy Space Center on Friday; hoped to see a rocket launch on Friday night (scrubbed) then to Orlando early Saturday for two days of Disney World. Left Orlando late Sunday afternoon, passed by Daytona Speedway Sunday evening (Git Er Done!) and rolled into Savannah at 9:30 p.m. Departed Savannah this morning, and got into Northern Virginia this afternoon. Two very happy but tired little boys. Saw all sorts of neat stuff, and yes, I took them to Merritt Island. they were too young to go on a tour, but the guard directed us back along the frontage road to see a couple '07 44DAs in final assembly. All in all an awesome trip. The 04 Ford Expedition is a superb interstate cruiser (thank you, inventor of the DVD, for allowing me to keep my sanity) and now we are in short final to cutting shrink wrap (10 march); final pre-mission checks of the Thundering Cathedrals of Torque (14 march) then it is time for some Dad-vacation...burning diesel.
Mike, congrats again. Now...some after action comments on the sea trial if you please.

Skip
 
You know, I thought I saw a rocket go up on Saturday eve. I didn't know something was planned, but we were on our way back home about 6 pm, and saw it going up. I called my wife and asked if there was anything on the news about a top-secret shuttle flight. Must've been it.

We were in Orlando (at a softball tourney, what else) in December, when a shuttle went up. They stopped the game (state championship tourney, no less), had all the kids come out on the field, and we all watched it go. Turned this field in the middle of nowhere, which was pitch black, into midday. We were about 30 miles from the Cape.

Truly awesome. I have seen day launches, but that was just awesome.

Glad you guys made it OK. I second the DVD's!

If all goes well tomorrow, I'll be taking the maiden voyage on Friday. 3 hour trip from the dealer to the marina, and I'll be flying solo. The first hour is in Tampa Bay, which I generally hate (too shallow - I'm always afraid I'll hit bottom - like freeway driving in the rain - probably OK, but tense nonetheless). After that, I'll go out into the GUlf, where I'm more comfy. That will be a nice ride (5-10 knot predictions, 2 ft or less).

ps Skip - you overnighted in my birthplace. I'm not a Dawg, but I am a Georgia boy, through and through.
 
Good luck at the closing today Mike..... :thumbsup: ...get a few pics and post them.....
 
Like Dominic says, GOOD LUCK & some pic's would be great! :smt038 JC
 
Pics over the weekend. As of now, I've had to update my signature line.

Still minor stuff going on in terms of final prep, but good enough to finish the deal.

Friday is splash day!
 
Let me be one of the first to say congrats....... :smt038
 
And I also! your going to love those 6CTa's. By the way, you may want to check w/flounder pounder as I think he has a full bridge canvas set for that boat. I just was over there last monday and I bought one for my 460.
 
That ain't no signature. Now you need to add a spiffy "Thundering Cathedrals of Torque" (already taken) or some other such juvenile, Larry the Cable Guy-esque homage to Herr Rudolf Diesel, inventor of these torque monsters.

Git er Done!

Skip
 
Skip said:
That ain't no signature. Now you need to add a spiffy "Thundering Cathedrals of Torque" (already taken) or some other such juvenile, Larry the Cable Guy-esque homage to Herr Rudolf Diesel, inventor of these torque monsters.

Git er Done!

Skip
Click to expand...

Hey skip....how's this sound.....in my sig below.....Yeah or Nah???
 
Frank, I did, I hope to be sporting new wiper arms here shortly. Thank you sir. Look forward to seeing you in Baltimore this summer.

Mike--not bad for a Tech grad. Herr Diesel would be most pleased.

Skip
 
Mike:

How'd it go yesterday?.....Is sleeping on the bridge of the 450 more comfortable than the cockpit on the 380..... :grin:
 
Yes, except for 2 things:

- 12 13 year olds make a heck of a lot of noise that is inescapable, even on the bridge
- it was cold, and I was freezing.

On delivery, the brand new, just installed Thursday radar pedestal was fired - has to be replaced.

The autopilot was not wired into the new E120 chart plotter - has to be fixed.

Salon a/c, which was to be serviced, ended up needing replacement, and is on order. Should be fixed this week.

Port sun screen, which I hadn't even noticed was missing, was missing. They are making a new one.

Other than the above, the boat was great. It got a bit nasty offshore (4-5 ft), and the boat just kep humming along, crusing at 2300 rpms, at about 21-22 knots, depending on which way the wind was blowing.

It took a little under 3 hours, door to door, to go about 65 miles.

In getting off the boat to go home, I dropped my car keys in the drink.

Those diesels are artistry - just sit down there in the bilge, cruising along, taking it easy. The boat is no speed merchant, but it is a nice ride.

The kids went to bed at 5:30 am, and got up at 7 am, and as I sit here, my eyes are closing.

I'll report more later.

oh yeah - whoever invented KVH DSS antennas was a genius. That is really cool.

All in all, that 450 is one heck of a vessel.

Thanks!

Mike
 
My survey mentioned capping a thru-hull that was not connected to anything. MM plugged a hose and closed the seacock. I found out what it was - it's the raw water washdown in the transom locker.

Just an FYI for a couple of you that I mentioned that to.
 
If Larry the Cable was picking out underwear for his wife, he might suggest - "diesel fit-r" :smt043 :smt043
 
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