After applying two coats of epoxy primer and one coat of conventional primer I dropped it fully laden into the water to establish my waterline.

The boat sits a lot lower than I would have expected, so much so that the end of the prop tube is below the water line & the top of the rudder tube must be pretty close.

I removed one of the 6V packs and the back of the boat came up to a respectable level but the front was still very low, no doubt due to the weight of the motor and the length of the g-box shaft pushing the weight too far forward.

At this point I think it would be foolish to proceed as is & something drastic needs to be done to re-work the hardware configuration.

If you look at the photos the bottom edge of the blue tape is approx on the water line.

Robert

Sea Trials Cont'

Here are some pics of the "Sea Trials". The boat only has epoxy primer on the hull and the decks are covered with tape to protect the deck planking.
The object is to establish the c of g and water line.

Looks like I need to build a platform in the rear to locate the batteries.

Here is the shocker, after being pleasantly suprised by the performance, I suspect that the batteriy's were pretty low with only 1.2V per cell. fully charged they should be around 1.4, so that means I was getting this performance with 2V less than intended !!!!

You may just be able to see the spray rails 1/4" x 1/4" approx 8" long just above the water line at the back of the boat. Just hope they are long enough to keep the rear deck spray free. On close examination of the Sea Trial photos the water can be seen streaming up the side of the boat at the back and pouring off the end of the rub rails.

Hull painted, just spray cans. The deck was finished with 4 coats of Nelsons brush on clear coat. I wet sanded between each coat & its very nice and much better than the deck on my Sea Queen.

Most of the fittings in place. I have a plastic searchlight for the cabin roof but I'm not sure if it will be worth the trouble as its plastic and looks very delicate.

Undecided with regard to the deck at the back of the boat as its only about 3/4" wide. ideally its where the rear cleat should go but its also where I'd fit my rear flag pole. it will be one or the other.

The "Police" graphics were a custom cut by Callie Graphics. Unfortunately I screwed up on the one for the stern as the smaller letters for the registered port (Southampton) "jumped" on to the boat before I was ready and were not horizontal. I was unable to peel them off & re-apply so they were lost. I may re-order.

My big problem now, is how to attach my life belts. I may end up just putting four little pads behind each one & glue in place.

Wiring has now been updated, capacitors fitted to motor.

Glazing still to be installed.

OK, the build Is pretty much done now. All I really need to do Is add a flag and registered port.

I have just come back from the pond and had a "blast". Dare I say It but Its "Even more fun than my Sea Queen". What I mean Is that Its quick, more agile, turns on a sixpence and fits In the car.

I pleased to say that the rear spray rails worked well and there was not a drop of water In the boat.

Robert