Michael’s Pro Tournament 21 (South Africa)

 

A few months ago I launched my boat. It went well and I was pleased to finally have it on the water.

There are a couple of small things to sort out, such as prop selection and alignment of the motors but unfortunately the weather has been terrible the past few months and I have not always been able to get out over the weekends to test and resolve the issues.

The trims on the motors failed and I have been waiting 2 months for the parts to arrive so it can be fixed. Once this is done and weather conditions have improved, I will be able to get out more and do some proper fishing.

Thank you Mark and everyone on the forum for all the assistance throughout the years. It has been greatly appreciated and without it I would not have been able to complete this project.

Cheers
Michael

Congratulations Michael on your launching mate. Wow.. she looks like a weapon mate. You did an awesome job of building her, Thanks for your kind words and appreciation of support and guidance throughout the process. Your welcome.

Looking forward to seeing more of your boat on the water and your fishing adventures  in the future

Regards Mark

David's RipTide CX-457 (Australia)

Hi Guys,,

Couldn't help myself, took a break from much needed house maintenance yesterday and had an unofficial splashing, sorry, no pics yet, still waiting on logos and decals. I must say that even though I am just running the motor in, the ride of the Riptide was soft and super smooth, extremely happy so far. Hopefully the next time it hits the water it will be fully dressed and I'll be able to hit full throttle, even if its just briefly. might perch my brother on a marker buoy so i can get some obligatory external pics (LOL) In reality, I'm probably doing a solo trip again.

Anyway, thanks for your patience and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone watching my build this last 15 months, to thank those that have offered support and guidance and last but not least, to Mark for the huge amount of information that' made this experience so enjoyable.

Cheers Dave GP

Congratulations Dave on your launching . She looks great mate. As for your build, thanks for your kind words and appreciation of support and guidance throughout the process. Your welcome.

Looking forward to seeing more of your boat on the water and your fishing adventures  in he future

Regards Mark

Josh’s Sea Strike 16 (New Zealand)

 

Hi all,

Motors fitted and water tested, ended up with the 90 hp. It may look a bit low in the back , but I had  forgotten to connect one of the deck drain hoses (whoops) so had a bit of extra ballast. However a positive is that the boat performed better than I expected (with all that extra "water" weight) and will only be better next time I take it out and... reconnect the drain hoses (LOL).

 The Yamaha dealer seemed very happy with the prop efficiency and I can imagine even more when i don't have a boat with the deck hatches full of water. Still have a bit of work to go with grab rails, rod holders, bimini, bow rail and the floor to go ... oh... and also the name and some graphics. Will be getting some more pictures soon.

Congrats on the splash Josh. Your Sea Strike 16 looks great mate !!

Yes, with all that water sloshing around , it will make for a stern heavy boat. (Whooops). Positive point though.. at least you've flooded the boat and know she doesn't sink, floats level and passes compliance (LOL). Get that water out and then see what happens.... ZOOM

Looking forward to seeing and hearing more in the future

Kostas Cruise Control 5.8 (Greece)

 Hi everyone

She is not 100% complete but she is ready enough to have the first ride test....The weather conditions were bad, there were big waves.

For it was the best condition for test......It went unexpectedly good.

She comes in plane very fast and easy. We were going 37 miles and we felt so secure and smooth ride....The max speed we gone was 46 mph ,3 adults, 100 litres fuel, with 16 km/h wind and we couldn't trim all the engine. (need to fix that) I think in good conditions she ll go 50+m/h. The speed is not our request but we "must"say that. In a few days we will have more test.

I'm so satisfied and proud.....

Thanks, thanks, thanks. I'm already dreaming the Pro tournament 21.

Regards
Kostas

Its great to see another Cruise Control launching . Kostas who lives in Greece, is building our designs under license for the Greek market. So were looking forward to hearing from him in the near future and seeing his Pro Tournament build

Phil's Edgetracker 365 (Australia)

 

Its great to see another Edgetracker 365 launching recently. This time from Phil who lives down in Tasmania.

He writes:

Hi Guys,
Finally it's all come together. After months of delays for motor, trailer , other bits and pieces, as well as a new motor failure and another delay for the warranty claim and replacement, the boat was finally splashed today.

Must admit that there were a few nerves at the splash today but once we passed the spot where the first motor failed and we were still going, it soon became apparent that we had a boat that was going to be a good one.

I couldn't run the new motor too hard today because it is still in the break-in period, so for most of the hour's trip we were taking it easy. Even so it was up on to the plane very easily and the 30 Merc revved very freely and we touched 24 knots a couple of times (for a very short time).

So at this stage, the motor is still running in, with two adults on board, 35 litres of fuel, all safety gear, anchor, chain & rope, tool kit battery etc., we still made 25 kts with the 4 blade prop supplied with the motor. All in all, a pretty impressive start.

Just goes to show how good Mark's designs are, also considering that I've added a small console with forward steering, and an under floor fuel tank (after discussions with Mark at the start of the build).

So thanks Mark and the advice and support from you fellow builders on the forum over the last year.

Looking forward the upcoming hours of fun and fish. Here's a few photos of the splash.

Cheers Phil

Hi Mark and fellow builders,

Just an update to let you know that the ET400 has passed it’s official ‘sea trials’ with flying colours. The attached photo shows us out off Binalong Bay (east cost of Tas. ) heading north up towards Slope Rock.

We had 2 adults, 1 young lad and all kit and fishing gear with 48 litres of fuel on board and still cruised very comfortably at around 40 km/hr.

That weekend we covered, in mostly good weather, around 40 km at sea in and out of Binalong Bay. Even caught a few flathead !!. The boat is now well and truly splashed , and I’m very pleased with it.

Thanks Mark for your excellent design and fellow builders for all your help and - it’s a great little boat . I’m now going fishing !!

Building the boat has been a very satisfying experience.

Good luck with all your builds and we'll catch up again when the next build starts !!!

All the best

Phil

Alain's Sea Strike 18 (France)

Its great to see another Sea Strike 18 launching recently. This time from Alain (a former member of the French Foreign Legion)  who lives in France.

He writes:

Hello Mark

Yes, beautiful design. Your drawings or plans (translation?) your study for the construction of the ss18, you just have to respect your plans and all become simple. The boat lands on the water like a rose petal gently.  I am very satisfied and proud of this build. You are a great designer (I hope the translation will be good)

Thank you again for helping me with this wonderful JOJO project

GOOD TO YOU

ALAIN

Bonjour MARK

oui magnifique conception , tes dessins ou plans ( traduction ? ) ton étude pour la construction du ss18 , il faut juste respecter tes plans et tous deviens simple , le bateau se pose sur l eau comme une pétale de rose en douceur je suis satisfait et trés fier de cette contruction

tu es un génial concepteur ( j espére que la traduction sera bien )

encore merci de m avoir aider a ce magnifique projet JOJO

BIEN A TOI

ALAIN

Here's a couple of photo's of his wife making up all the covers (console/ seat covers/ deck and more) on her sewing machine for the boat

Alain, who also loves painting, decided to "paint" his rear transom washboard.

Now that is different and unique.

Top one

Brian's Sea Strike 16 (Australia)

Its great to see another Sea Strike 16 launching recently. This time from Brian who lives in Sydney.

He writes:

Finally got it registered and wet today.
I have the etec 75hp with a 15” raked viper prop.
With full safety gear full fuel tank two adults and 3 children, it sits on 30-31 knots, boat handles Sydney harbour chop at 25 knots a bit better though, more of a glide through waves than bounce.
Same setup but solo, the boat went to 32.9 knots and then I hit a bit of chop. I think it will hit 33 in flat conditions.
I did freak out a little when I removed my rear bung and a little water came out. I tasted it (I know it sounds stupid) but it was rain water mixed with some build dust, no salt so all good. It has rained a bit in the past few weeks.
I have a good video of a stand still take off on my own, just working out how to post the video.
For all the builders reading this either part way through a build or even if you have finished, it is a pretty sensational special feeling when you can take your boat that you built out onto the harbour.
I also was wondering how the waterline at the stern would be. The stern sits really nicely in the water. I do not think anything other than spray water touches the rear platform/deck when the boat is in the water.
Ecstatic boat owner here.

Posted a few days later

So it’s been used a lot and had a valuation (for insurance) of between $40k and $50k, which I am happy with. With trailer engine materials gadgets etc, it came in at a total cost of about $21k. This does not include my hours of work.

It consistently sits at 31 knots (this is a bit backed of from wide open throttle) until I get within sight of the opera house (for those who do not know Sydney harbour I come from the parramatta river which is calmer waters) when it gets a bit choppy it’s nicer to back of a little. 

I have hit 33.8 knots with half a tank and full gear myself and a kid, it was only 32.5 knots in the opposite direction so it goes just over 33 knots as the top speed (which it hits quite a bit when I am solo). The chop in the rest of the harbour can be a bit horrible and sharp bouncy. I took it offshore today (just for a run) and without the boat chop it was better in the bigger ocean swell than harbour chop, handled 20 knots easily, I could have pushed it a bit harder but that would need to be based on waves each time.

I have ordered trim tabs so it’s not completely done yet.

I can’t catch a fish worth keeping. I caught about 10 today and 6 different species but all were tiny so went back, but I love getting out on it.

Great to see you and your family having a great time enjpying your new boat Brian.

Looking forward to seeing more in the near future mate

Have fun