Rusty_Nail

Hi folks,

A couple of pics of other mods I've done as well as some pics of the putty job - both in the helm and under the battery storage area.

In terms of other mods I've added a radio and ran the cable up to a mount on the wake tower, as well as added a marine spotlight.

Brackets are 50mm bull bar aluminium brackets from one of the auto shops. 

2 hours ago, _Sloth_ said:

I don't think I need more power from my engine. Can't wind it out as it is...

Some pics of the putty job would be good.I was thinking of coating the thread with sikaflex or similar just to create a bit of a bond to the fibre glass but the marine putty sounds like a better way to go. My speedo is not working. I just bring gps speed up on the sounder screen. Have thought about getting the vessel view system to connect sounder to engine via NMEA but haven't got round to it yet.

 

Will send some pics on the putty implementation.
On the speedo thing - if you get material lodged in the pitot tube it will stop the speedo from working as have had that occur. I have used a small drill bit in the past to remove it, but much better linking NMEA0183 output from the Lowrance unit to Smartcraft guage input. Will add a pic of that too.

Don't get fuel smell much expect for when I've had a cover on the boat.
 

2 hours ago, _Sloth_ said:

Hi All,

Just wondering how all the SS64s are going? I've had mine for 3 years now. No major issues.

My stereo has stopped working and screws coming loose all over the place - some of which have been re-tightened so many times I am going to have to drill out and use larger ones. This is a particular a problem on my drivers side console (the screws that hold the foot well insert in place). I have always had a bit of a problem in this area - something doesn't fight right and when all the screws are snugged up I get some crunching noises when taking sharp chop from the starboard forward quarter. Probably going to replace some of these screws with bolts and lock nuts.

The top hinge on my windscreen broke free last weekend. The rivets snapped. Need to find a better fixing to re-attach it.

I spend most of my time out in the bay pounding it out in the chop so that might explain the windscreen.

Other than that I am still happy with my choice. How are others fairing?

S

PS I spent a weekend in the great sandy straight between Fraser and the mainland. Did around 300 kms driving in two days (mostly at or above 50 kph). Could have run top speed but I was worried about hitting the wildlife - heaps of dolphins and dugongs etc. Such a great place for the SS64. 

Hi folks,
My SS64 is also going great.
I did have to replace the spark plugs on the Pro XS last year as had some water in fuel but no other engine issues.
Did find some interesting threads on Pro XS Facebook forums where owners with a 200 V8 have replaced the Throttle Body/Intake (go from 61mm to 81mm or something like that) and get some improved performance and higher WOT RPM.
On the footwell side, I used some marine epoxy putty from Bunnings to provide a bit more purchase for the screws to bite into. Can share some pics if ppl interested.
I did the same for the hatch that sits over where the batteries are normally stored, as the screws there were getting loose periodically.
I'm also running GPS Speedo now which requires a connection from one of the Lowrance outputs to one of the Smartcraft gauge inputs. A small amount of mucking around under the helm but nothing too difficult.
My fuel tank did slip back occasionally as well so have put in some brackets to stop the movement.

On 16/06/2022 at 11:46 PM, GregOug said:

Went out yesterday and flushed the motor when I got home. I watched the temperature gauge and it hovered around 56-57 and never went over 59, just using the standard muffs on it.

I went out yesterday (Scarborough to Tanga then to Bribie passage then to Scarborough - bit choppy but good day nonetheless) and flushed when I got home using the standard muffs as well. Temp rose gradually after start to 64 then went back down quickly to 56-57.  Telltale was running from engine start as well.

Hi folks, my 2c worth to add to the conversation.

When flushing my V8 200hp, I use the standard single feed motor flusher without any tape on the low speed water pickup at the front. No issues with water temps so far (do get up to high 60s worst case), however I do have a larger size garden hose.

Willi - in terms of outboard support, Hayden from Wyld About Boats provided this support with the boat.

4 hours ago, Hweebe said:

@Rusty_Nail why not doing away completely with the washers, and find/cut ad piece or 3mm aluminium / pre drill holes and form a stronger backing plate?

The washers may still dig in under load, a plate will spread the load wider

Fair point and good idea - am always a fan of spreading the load from an engineering perspective.

On another topic, I wasn't too happy with how the anchor well cover was attached to the hull. The original install only used screws, and I noticed after a bit of use there were some small stress cracks in the gel coat starting to appear where the hinges had come a bit loose and were pressing down on the gel coat during opening - especially when helpful crew accidently dropped the hatch a bit too quickly. The screws also were loosening over time.

To resolve, I used some metal bog to build up the section underneath where the hinges are attached, and then used stainless bolts and double nuts with washers to secure the hinges.

In hindsight, some marine epoxy putty would have been a more elegant and neater solution vs the metal bog which was pretty messy.

Hope this helps someone avoid a similar situation with potential stress cracks.

On 16/05/2022 at 1:44 PM, WilliBoaz said:

Thanks mate, look forward to seeing those pics.

I've used the FTP ramp before, but didn't really fancy loading the family into the boat through the mud, or having the boat grind on the ramp...

Looks very different now, so might be worth a look. It's the closest ramp to my house.

Hi WilliBoaz,

Didn't get out on the weekend as my crew all bailed on me at the last minute unfortunately due to illness.
However, I did get some time to take the covers off the boat and took some pics of the esky storage area. The esky is the Dune brand from Anaconda which has a lower profile than the one that was originally supplied with the boat. After lowering the aluminium brackets a little, it fitted neatly under the seat cushion with a few mm to spare.
I also cut a few small sections out of the base board as it was in direct contact with the fuel pipe and added some extra bracing on the back of the base board and rear of the esky area.

The esky opens easily, but doesn't stay open on it's own - which isn't too bad as it ensures the kids don't leave it open accidentally. 

Is anyone heading out this weekend given some nice weather on the cards. I'm heading out to Tangalooma for the day from Shorncliffe/Cabbage Tree Creek.

Mine is located (on the left hand side (looking to the stern) in the void underneath where the esky sits - so is pretty easy to access.
There is also another filters on the engine itself that is useful/easy to check periodically (per youtube) as part of home maintenance.

On a different topic, had to get some of my spark plugs on the 200 Pro XS replaced a few weeks ago, as we went out for a run on the river before the floods and had no power. Check-up with Hayden Wyld showed that two of the plugs were dodgy from water, so useful to keep an eye on the fuel/water filter. Good news was that the rest of the motor was in perfect condition after about 90 hours of use mostly in salt water.

2 minutes ago, Rusty_Nail said:

Fig Tree Pocket ramp. Need to plan around low tide.

 

From what I understand, there is a plan to build a pontoon at Fig Tree Pocket sometime in 2022 - not sure what the timing will be now with all the other damage that needs to be repaired. 
Expect it might be a little easier to drive on at FTP when the tide is right as well given the direction of the current vs Jindalee.

Jindalee with damaged pontoon.

Fig Tree Pocket ramp. Need to plan around low tide.

@WilliBoaz - on our boat I lowered the aluminium brackets that support the board that the esky sits on, which combined with a lower height esky from Anaconda (still 42L though from memory) allows about 10mm of space when the seat cushion is there. The esky can be opened in place when the seat is removed, although the lid does rub against the gel coat. If it's a decent day in Brisbane tomorrow (or sometime this week) I'll take some pictures and send them through.
On your other post about where to put in, I've been looking at going to Fig Tree pocket until the pontoon at Jindalee is repaired. There's no pontoon at FTP, but there is a reasonable section of sand/mud to beach the boat on if the tide is low enough.

1 hour ago, WilliBoaz said:

Thanks Rusty. I saw the stuff on Hull Truth and agree it's inconclusive. 

My gut feeling is not to compromise on something that I'm planning on keeping for a decade or more. The last thing I need is a decade of regret because I didn't wait a few extra months. 

Re: your offer of a ride in the V8, I might actually take you up on the offer. It just so happens I've got 6 weeks of long service leave coming up - originally I had planned on using the time to get to know my new boat . Anyway, I'll have some free time. Whereabouts are you located?

We're on the Northside, so normally put the boat in at Jindalee boat ramp if skiing/wakeboarding, or Shorncliffe if heading out on the bay. 

26 minutes ago, WilliBoaz said:

What motor was that with?

That was with the V8.

51 minutes ago, WilliBoaz said:

Chaps, after some advice, having  received some bad news.... I've posted earlier in this thread and as I said before I've ordered the SS64 with a 200hp V8 Merc proXS.  Boat was supposed to be ready by end of this month. 

Boat will be used for mixture of day cruising, skiing, wakeboarding, fishing, all the good stuff.

Sadly, Tim from Stejcraft has now told me he can't get the V8 until December. He can however get me a V6 200hp 4-stroke. 

My main priority with wanting the V8 is having the ability to  pull a slalom skiier out of the water with a boat full of family plus gear. I'm not at all interested in top-end speed, especially not after hearing about the chine walk etc. 

Do you reckon I'll miss the extra displacement if I go with the V6?

Looking forward to hearing your learned opinions...

Hi Willi, I've got the V8, so unfortunately can't comment on the performance of the V6.
However, on quick search of "the hull truth" forum, there are a few threads where people have asked similar questions. A quick scan didn't seem to come up with anything that might help, other than that the V6 seems to have decent hole shot from some user comments.
Is there any way you can get Tim to give you a test drive with the V6?
I would be happy to take you for a run on the Brisbane River with the V8 if that will help.

12 hours ago, TheStej said:

Hi all, 

 

I've got one as well, effin love it. Had it since November 2020. I have the V6 200 merc. 

I'm on the northern Gold Coast. 

I changed from the 3 blade to the 4 blade under recommendation from tim from stejcraft. It took all the chine walk out of it, massive difference. It's so stable now. 

I've fitted a baitmate board that drops into the ski pole hole and bolts up at the bottom. Fitted a couple stainless rod holders in the rear gunwales. 

It's going in shortly for a sav winch with remote and a bimini. 

I'm interested in seeing some picks of the casting deck some of you blokes have fitted, I'd like to make one. 

Should organise a day out for us owners 

Cheers 

Hi @TheStej - I like that launcher setup - looks nice and sturdy.

Would be keen for a day out with SS64 owners - would be a great sight having a few of then cruising along together.

On 13/03/2021 at 8:45 AM, _Sloth_ said:

Fair enough. I tried heaps of props with my last boat and was never 100% happy. I like the 19P Rev4 on my current boat except that I can’t get it to wide open throttle - fastest so far 92 kph. Started chine walking when I hit some ripples. I think speeds above 85 with a 21 degree dead rise at the transom will always be susceptible to chine walk but it is interesting that the prop is making a big difference in this case. I reckon we should get all the SS64 boats out together one day and take a run in each other’s for comparison...

Do you run at those speeds with the tower and Bimini up? Does the Bimini add to the lift?

Hey Sloth,

Yeah - those speeds are with the tower and bimini on - I expect there is a bit of lift from the bimini given it angles up a little towards the front. I've got clears but haven't run WOT with them on so that might be an interesting test.

8 hours ago, _Sloth_ said:

Hey Rusty,

What improvements are you looking for compared to the Rev 4 17P?

J

Hey J,

Mostly just experimentation/tinkering and also to see how the 17P goes in terms of stern lift/chine walk at speed vs what occurred with the 19P 

Have put the 19P Rev4 back on for a trip on Sunday so will be interesting to see how that feels against the last run of the 17P Rev4.

11 hours ago, GregOug said:

That’s interesting. And the acceleration was similar? And top speed? And what motor do you have again?

Hi Greg, can't recall specific top speed with the Eco Enteria, but it would have been around high 40mph - the chine walk was the limiting factor as got a little too scary.
I've got the same motor as you - 200HP Pro XS.
I am looking for a 17P Eco Enertia second hand as from reading the Hull Truth forum that prop with a V8 Pro XS goes well across a range of boats.

On a different note, in terms of prop performance, can't recall whether I've noted previously, but had a run a few weekends ago with the following results.

Prop - Rev4 17P; WOT ~5800 RPM; Speed ~51MPH; Load - 200L + 3 Adults. Boat was stable with that prop at that speed.

Different story when running the originally supplied Eco Enertia 19P at 5600 RPM where I had a lot of chine walk.

@GregOug - the upgrade looks great. I also like the look without the chrome shrouds.

I also installed a door as per the pic to provide an alternate way to access the storage in the port helm section.

The plan one day is to install a 12V marine oven in the space.