Hi y’all. This is a fairly quick update. The superstructure is done, the mast, flagstaff and Texas State flag are installed. The aft tow rope rail is also installed…and I drilled a hole in the hull!! My right eye had been acting up a bit since the protective contact lens was removed a week and a half ago. Came to realize that my allergies were acting up, and even though I take Claratin daily, I reached for the Benadryl. This worked!, Eye felt much better, but as I was drilling the holes for the aft rail I went too far and punctured the hull. Was it because of the medication? Probably not but that’s the excuse I’m using. Anyway, I scabbed the hull inside, then filled, sanded and painted my little mistake,
She’s almost ready to go. I still need to do some deck details and the anchors, then it’s off to the bathroom for a float and ballast check. Oh…need to fit the propeller too..🤣
Cash

Thank each and every one of y’all for the words of encouragement and remarks. I truly appreciate it.
To cdnfurball: I mostly know where everything is…once in a while I have to search a bit…it makes building sessions an adventure!!🤣🤣
Thank y’all again. The next post should, Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, see her finished.
Cash

Well y’all, the Kalle is ready for her maiden. I got the deck bollards, fenders and tow robe done, she’s ballasted, and she had a name change. She’s now the Grace E. I named her after my daughter, Grace Elaina Hargett. Graces middle name is the middle name of Buddy Hollys widow, Maria Elaina Holly. Her name is on the bow, the stern shows the home port of McKinney…she ballasted to about 3400 grams, or just shy of 7 and a half pounds. She splashes tomorrow morning.
Cash

Hi y’all. The Grace E was maidened this morning!! The first try was interesting. Although I ballasted her slightly heavier than the instructions called for the first launch was almost depressing. The aft was a little too high, and the prop was not getting a good bite, cavitating more than generating thrust. I got her back to shore, installed a slightly larger prop, adjusted the fwd ballast (noticeable list to port), and added a quarter pound of ballast aft….second go was much better! She pulled away with authority, and the cavitation was non existent after she went forward, as she “squats” a little under power. I still need to play with the ballast as the aft squat goes away in reverse, and the prop is just too close to the surface then. I don’t want to get her too aft heavy as I don’t want water getting too close to the top of the bulwarks when I lay into the throttle. So, I think I’ll add about a pound more, installed temporarily, until I have her exactly where I want her. On the plus side, she handled well under way, very well mannered. She didn’t take on any water inside, and as the day wen on we had a breeze of 12-15 mph gusting to around 25 or so..turning against the wind meant adding a bit more rudder and throttle, but that’s to be expected. I ran her on a 2 cell 5200 lipo for about 2 hours, mostly half to 3/4 throttle, and a quick check once done showed I still had 45 percent of useable capacity left…I’m happy!!
Cash