Bob Brown’s Belle

BobBrown55 · Post by **BobBrown55** » Fri Aug 28, 2020 10:29 pm

mickfly wrote: ↑Fri Aug 28, 2020 7:01 pm Love the trumpets! Can you share the source?

They are “Buck Algonquin S/S Transom Exhaust Hose Fittings.” If you search for that on the Internet, I think you’ll find several sources that carry them, as Buck Algonquin manufactures many parts for boats. I got mine from Jamestown Distributors as they are a source I’ve used a lot. I found them elsewhere for slightly less money, but bought them at Jamestown because I have a lot of experience with them, know them to be reliable (though they’ve been slowed some by the Covid pandemic, but not as much as others it seems) and knew I could easily return them if I didn’t like them.

mickfly · Post by **mickfly** » Fri Sep 04, 2020 2:27 pm

So my eyes weren't deceiving me...the tips are actually angled? I saw Jimbob make an angle bushing out of mahogany for his exhaust tips and I was planning to go the same way. However, these are really intriguing. Seems like I keep finding tips I like better...and are more expensive, but that's an area where I don't want to skimp.

BobBrown55 · Post by **BobBrown55** » Fri Sep 04, 2020 9:24 pm

mickfly wrote: ↑Fri Sep 04, 2020 2:27 pm So my eyes weren't deceiving me...the tips are actually angled? I saw Jimbob make an angle bushing out of mahogany for his exhaust tips and I was planning to go the same way. However, these are really intriguing. Seems like I keep finding tips I like better...and are more expensive, but that's an area where I don't want to skimp.

Yeah, I was surprised by the angle of the trumpets. Had them for a few months and was trying to figure whether the angle would point them up or down. Turns out, the angles perfectly offset the curve on the horizontal plane. Hard to see with it jammed up against my garage wall, but it looks like they are perfectly inline with the engine stringers.

BobBrown55 · Post by **BobBrown55** » Fri Oct 09, 2020 10:34 am

Ok, time to catch up. First, I got my title, registration, and license in the mail! So, she's legal.

Following up my earlier post on the HIN, the documents included an HIN number. I'll give some more thought to whether I have a plaque made to mount the HIN on the boat.

BobBrown55 · Post by **BobBrown55** » Fri Oct 09, 2020 11:03 am

Back in August, I said, "Plan now is to finish installing the gauges, build more seating, install the exhaust and get an expert to check her and get her into the water for testing."

I finished all that!

First highlight was starting the engine for the first time. I did that with my son and his family in his driveway last Thursday. It was awesome!!

Took a few times turning the ignition switch without hitting the starter to let the fuel pump get the line primed, then it fired right up and idled nicely. The sound from the exhaust is AWESOME; exactly what I wanted. MANY Thanks to Roberta for sharing her muffler source and exhaust design.

The local newspaper did a feature story on my build earlier this week and the writer described the sound really well: "a steady, throbbing rumble, like a Detroit muscle car idling impatiently at an intersection waiting for the light to change."

On Friday, I took her to Jim West, owner of West Coast Classic Boat Restoration in Vancouver, WA. He aligned the prop shaft and checked her over. So glad I did that, as I'm not comfortable with the engine / prop shaft alignment, and I learned so much from him. Money well spent, and he'll be a great resource in the future as his experience and knowledge are VERY deep. I'm extremely lucky to have found him.

The plan was to take her to a nearby lake for a test run, but it was closed. So, we ended up on the Columbia! A bit nerve wracking at first, but all went smoothly.

Here she is at the dock right after launch. I'm very pleased that she floats so close to the painted waterline.

The view from the front ...

Idling out from the dock. Jim West is monitoring and adjusting the prop shaft log.

kens · Post by **kens** » Fri Oct 09, 2020 11:03 am

Beautiful build.
I didn't have any floorboards my first time out either !! (don't ask how)

Post by **Roberta** » Fri Oct 09, 2020 11:14 am

Looking Great, Bob.

Roberta

BobBrown55 · Post by **BobBrown55** » Fri Oct 09, 2020 12:03 pm

A couple more photos from the test run ...

The view of the prop wash as we cruised at higher speed.

Pulling her out. The trailer is awesome! Easy to launch and load, and trails really well.

To break the engine in, we hit it hard a few times, throttle wide open. That was amazing!! It threw us back in our seats and the sound was awesome!!

A great test run. Love the way she performs. And a very short list of issues. I installed the shift cable wrong, pushing forward puts her in reverse. (Sure thought I'd check that several times.) Tach doesn't work. Engine warning horn, which beeps twice when the ignition is turned on, kept beeping twice about every 60 seconds. I later learned that this happens even if the engine isn't running, with the ignition in the 'on' position.

So, three problems, one easy fix (the shifter). I'm very happy with that.

However, does anyone have a possible solution for the tach and engine warning horn issues? (The engine is a MerCruiser.) I've done some testing and read the manual (which is a joke) and don't see a solution. Those two issues may be related.

BobBrown55 · Post by **BobBrown55** » Fri Oct 09, 2020 12:10 pm

After the test run, I moved her back to the cradle so I can build the deck and finish the interior.

Used the '2x4 gantry,' hoists, and strap used in the flip and to load her onto the trailer. Here she is, hanging after the trailer was pulled out.

Lifted the stern with my 2 new boat stands, after using them to lift her just enough to slide the trailer forward so the stands could get into this position.

There she is on the cradle, ready for the next phase.

BobBrown55 · Post by **BobBrown55** » Fri Oct 09, 2020 12:14 pm

kens wrote: ↑Fri Oct 09, 2020 11:03 am Beautiful build.
I didn't have any floorboards my first time out either !! (don't ask how)

Thanks, Ken!

I have a plywood floor in the forward cockpit, but intentionally left the stern open to facilitate checking the logs and other gear.

What did you use on your floor when finished?

kens · Post by **kens** » Fri Oct 09, 2020 3:08 pm

You gotta come to the Gathering to get that answer !!!!
that's worth a couple beers !!!

Aussie · Post by **Aussie** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:44 am

Congratulations Bob,

Looks great and I can imagine the smile that would have been plastered on your face!
Glad it all went well, now you are on the home stretch

Bob Perkins · Post by **Bob Perkins** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 10:16 am

Nice work on the transfer

See Simple!

BobBrown55 · Post by **BobBrown55** » Mon Oct 12, 2020 10:39 am

Bob Perkins wrote: ↑Mon Oct 12, 2020 10:16 am Nice work on the transfer
See Simple!

I’ve learned to never doubt your recommendations!

BobBrown55 · Post by **BobBrown55** » Sat Feb 20, 2021 7:10 pm

It has been a while since I've posted; October, in fact, when she was in the water for testing. I've been making some progress, working to get her in shape to be in the water this spring, though there will still be work to do.

Here's the deck framing ...

The exhaust system was installed on a temporary basis for the test in the water. I put a couple more coats of varnish on the transom and permanently mounted the exhaust trumpets.

To be continued ...

Glen-L.com

Bob Brown’s Belle

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