First weekend with V-Drive

[SKIA36]

Yep Tom had what, 5 boats? My favorite was the staggered 29 he built, that baby moved. I think Tom did the Parker race with those guys? He had a shop in Signal Hill full of fun toys.

That Spectra he had hauled the mail, mechanical injection on the turbos was a bit crazy to tune, but it worked.

He was a great guy to party with at the races, what a dry sense of humor... The Spec was a great boat, Im sure it ran well into the triple digits.Did you ever ask him about Tammy at Mc&Shmicks?(Dont ask if wife is around)

 

[Deleted Account]

He was a great guy to party with at the races, what a dry sense of humor... The Spec was a great boat, Im sure it ran well into the triple digits.Did you ever ask him about Tammy at Mc&Shmicks?(Dont ask if wife is around)

McCormick and Shmicks? Never heard of it When Tom lived by me he was single, and a rockstar. His daughters were pretty damn hot, too.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Wes, you do great work! Boat looks awesome!


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[WTMFA]

I am blown away at how badass this boat turned out!!!
Talk about the BALLER of 19 ft'rs. The graphics remind me of the Gary Baca era flatty's that used to run around:thumbsup
I never thought I'd want another boat like this but if you sold it I would sell my soul to buy it :skull
Simply Bad Fukkin Ass :thumbsup

 

[spectras only]

The 19 footer is the best MOFO of all Spectra models, period

 

[Froggystyle]

Damn Froggy, boat looks amazing. I'd love to check it out one day in person, if you still have it.

Carly gets this boat when she turns 16. Should be an outstanding screening tool for potential suitors.

 

[spectras only]

Carly gets this boat when she turns 16. Should be an outstanding screening tool for potential suitors.

Nice family heirloom for Carly.:thumbsup . My son will end up with my 99 GTS as well when I CAN'T :skull drive anymore.

 

[River Lynchmob]

Wes, that thing turned out tits! Great job...would love to see it on Parker

 

[500bbc]

Outstanding job Wes, 19's are the shit!

Bring it to the Castle Rock show and shine on 9/8 then over to Echo for some passes with us.arty2:

 

[ROC]

Looks awesome.

Hey, what about the deal with your dad and your boat name?

Wes definately has a knack for taking someting from ordinary and basic, to one of a kind and exceptional.

I bought my current boat from Wes. First time I had my engine rebuilt was at a well known engine builder. This builder sees LOTS of high end and high performance boats. When I went to pick the boat up, the main guy told me about the test drive he and the builder went on and blah blah blah, more stuff about the motor and such. Then he looks at me and said..........."Nice boat. Who did the rigging?"

I told him

"Wes "Froggystyle" from the Hot Boat forums. Why do you ask?"

He just said, "Because we could all (the entire shop) tell that this wasn't rigged by any 'ol rigger, good work. Nice."

I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it forever..............Wes don't do nuthin half assed. Remember that BRAND NEW FJ he bought? LOL, the thing didn't have 30 miles on it before he had the interior gutted for new interior and sound.

If you're looking for uniqueness and quality, I'd encourage anyone to buy anything Wes built.

 

[H20-ski]

If you're looking for uniqueness and quality, I'd encourage anyone to buy anything Wes built.

What? is "HIGH ORDER" for sale? :smackhead

 

[Flyinbowtie]

The boat looks stunning,Wes. Can't wait to see it all finished and on the water. Really looks sick.

 

[JBS]

Looks Great Wes.

Like Lynch said bring it to Parker :thumbsup

 

[Froggystyle]

It will be in Parker before too long. We are just so dialed in down in Martinez that it is a tough lay-down.

You guys have me inspired to go work on the boat when I get home next week. Gotta put in the air fuel mixture gauge, re-do some fuel line plumbing and figure out where I am gonna put in a ski tow in front of the motor.

 

[Froggystyle]

You know... I said this in another thread and it is worth mentioning again. This boat is turning out great... but I am standing on the shoulders of giants here. Bob Teague rigged this boat back in 1981 and really did a great job on it. All I really did was pull it apart and put it back together. There wasn't anything to really fix. I am positive that the clusterfuck of a wiring system that was in it was not a survivor from the rig, as Bob wouldn't have let his dog wire it the way I got it. That was the first thing to go for me... and fortunately my specialty. Everything else just happened.

Just reiterating that buying a boat that is well done by a pro is rarely a risk. This thing was a peach... I just shined it up. I can't take credit for the job.

 

[500bbc]

Simple ski tow.

 

[Froggystyle]

Simple ski tow.

Need it in front of the motor. I drag this boat around badly with it in the rear. Need to get it as close to the center of the boat as possible.

 

[Crazyhippy]

Exhaust heat will kill a rope in short order...

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[Froggystyle]

Exhaust heat will kill a rope in short order...

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Dealt with that my whole life. Rubber hose is the ticket.

 

[LowRiver2]

High Order=Nice EOD reference

low orders=a case of beer in my job:skull

Nice work

 

[Froggystyle]

High Order=Nice EOD reference

low orders=a case of beer in my job:skull

Nice work

Not EOD... the other side of the equation...

Not so much the "Disposal"... but more the "Application" side.

 

[500bbc]

Need it in front of the motor. I drag this boat around badly with it in the rear. Need to get it as close to the center of the boat as possible.

Have you tried burying the plate when dragging a skier?

 

[Froggystyle]

Have you tried burying the plate when dragging a skier?

Yup. That is the flattest wake at 34mph too.

 

[TBI]

Exhaust heat will kill a rope in short order...

Dealt with that my whole life. Rubber hose is the ticket.

Tom Brown and his father once had this same conversation :hmm

 

[Crazyhippy]

Tom Brown and his father once had this same conversation :hmm

Beer out the nose...

Asshole

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[LowRiver2]

Not so much the "Disposal"... but more the "Application" side.

Fair enough,

When we "cause" the high order, it's a good thing, when it happens before we get there, a bad thing, all depends on timing with any "high order"

Just did rifle re qual with our 6 guy, 20+ years out, he still hits 10's faster, reloads faster than most 20 somethings and experienced rifle coppers. Old habits don't die

 

[Froggystyle]

Just did rifle re qual with our 6 guy, 20+ years out, he still hits 10's faster, reloads faster than most 20 somethings and experienced rifle coppers. Old habits don't die

Yeah, it is definitely a perishable skill... But I have found that even "perished" we out shoot most.

100's of thousands of rounds downrange with the best possible instruction under ideal conditions will do that I guess.

Good to hear though.

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Wes would using the tow pole and supports out of a tourney boat work? My SkiSanger DLX has the pylon forward of the engine (direct drive) and the hardware would be easy to copy/modify for attaching to your stringers.

 

[spectras only]

Wes , we had this GIL skipost on the 19 Spectra on the 429 Ford with jet ,that worked awesome towing and for handling.So the location is good ,you just have to fabricate one to mount one on yours.The Ford kicked the bucket early this year and replacing it with a 468 chebby.So if someone with the Ford/jet is interested, the skipost is for sale.

 

[oldschool]

It will be in Parker before too long. We are just so dialed in down in Martinez that it is a tough lay-down.

You guys have me inspired to go work on the boat when I get home next week. Gotta put in the air fuel mixture gauge, re-do some fuel line plumbing and figure out where I am gonna put in a ski tow in front of the motor.

Did you get the ski tow mounted? I'm doing the same thing this winter and would like to see some pics, if you have some. Thanks.

 

[oldschool]

Oops. Thought I posted this in the V-drive section.

 

[Froggystyle]

Well... That was eye opening.

Just got back from the first day on the water with the TT motor.

Frighteningly fast. Absolutely savage acceleration. The throttle pedal is 1:1 with the speedo. You just think "faster" and it is there.

Need the bigger gears ASAP. It is spooky at around 80, and I need a smaller prop too. As soon as you put the wood to it, it just climbs vertically until you shit your pants.

I have never said this before. But I think I may have added too much power.

 

[TBI]

Well... That was eye opening.

Just got back from the first day on the water with the TT motor.

Frighteningly fast. Absolutely savage acceleration. The throttle pedal is 1:1 with the speedo. You just think "faster" and it is there.

Need the bigger gears ASAP. It is spooky at around 80, and I need a smaller prop too. As soon as you put the wood to it, it just climbs vertically until you shit your pants.

I have never said this before. But I think I may have added too much power.

Fuck yeah! :thumbup:

 

[Flyinbowtie]

The good thing about too much is you can always take some out until it doesn't feel like too much, then, after awhile, when it doesn't feel like enough anymore, you can add too much back in...

 

[SuperJet]

Fuck yeah! :thumbup:

X2


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[TBI]

The good thing about too much is you can always take some out until it doesn't feel like too much, then, after awhile, when it doesn't feel like enough anymore, you can add too much back in...

You talkin to Wes or Ritchie?

 

[rivrrts429]

I have never said this before. But I think I may have added too much power.

That's a good problem to have. It can be tamed.

Sounds like it was a fun day.

 

[Froggystyle]

I need to make friends with someone who can set up a V-drive before I skrag myself. I am about to roll the dice with setup, and don't know what to expect in any case.

It has 12% gears, and I am gonna put some 40% gears in it which should mellow it out a bit. I have a really nice Cary prop that came off the BAF Cole in my yard, but no idea if that is the right thing to do or not.

All I know is that the 3 blade in it makes you see Jesus before it even comes into boost. It is just an amazing amount of acceleration, with no temperance at all... just spooky fast.

I was terrified frankly, and I barely got over 80. As you are applying power it just wants to turn right very hard, and harder the faster you go. So you are pushing the down pedal through the floor and turning the wheel progressively left until you get scared, so you let it off and if you don't unwind the wheel fast enough you take a hard left when you let off.

Gotta be some setup chasing to do here. I have built/raced/riden/piloted all manner of insane vehicles from drag cars to fast boats.

Nothing, by a long shot is as unhinged as this V-drive.

Oh... and jet guys... It isn't even fucking close. I don't know how I beat up so many v-drives with fast jet boats... but apparently they weren't as fast as I thought they were.

This thing is a totally different league.

I'll also say this... nobody is ever driving this boat but myself or Audrey. Too spooky, and if I was trying to be a tough guy and run it hard, I could very easily see getting wet as you would go from zero to "out of talent" in about 2 seconds.

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Well, Wes if it has your attention like this it would no doubt have me looking for the beach.
Have fun my friend, but be focking careful...

 

[fmo24]

Froggy, maybe shoot a note to Dave Sammons. The work he is putting out it seems he knows a thing or three about setups.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

I need to make friends with someone who can set up a V-drive before I skrag myself. I am about to roll the dice with setup, and don't know what to expect in any case.

It has 12% gears, and I am gonna put some 40% gears in it which should mellow it out a bit. I have a really nice Cary prop that came off the BAF Cole in my yard, but no idea if that is the right thing to do or not.

All I know is that the 3 blade in it makes you see Jesus before it even comes into boost. It is just an amazing amount of acceleration, with no temperance at all... just spooky fast.

I was terrified frankly, and I barely got over 80. As you are applying power it just wants to turn right very hard, and harder the faster you go. So you are pushing the down pedal through the floor and turning the wheel progressively left until you get scared, so you let it off and if you don't unwind the wheel fast enough you take a hard left when you let off.

Gotta be some setup chasing to do here. I have built/raced/riden/piloted all manner of insane vehicles from drag cars to fast boats.

Nothing, by a long shot is as unhinged as this V-drive.

Oh... and jet guys... It isn't even fucking close. I don't know how I beat up so many v-drives with fast jet boats... but apparently they weren't as fast as I thought they were.

This thing is a totally different league.

I'll also say this... nobody is ever driving this boat but myself or Audrey. Too spooky, and if I was trying to be a tough guy and run it hard, I could very easily see getting wet as you would go from zero to "out of talent" in about 2 seconds.

That is some premium signature line material right there... :thumbup:

 

[Sharp Shooter]

I may have added too much power.

Impossible...:skull

 

[vdcruiser]

What size is the prop you are using? I have a 11 1/2X16 three blade on my 21' Howard cruiser and it will pull to the right also. Try something like a 11 1/4X15 or 16 two blade, that should have a lot less torque reaction.

 

[HighVoltage329]

I agree with the 2 blade. I've also found the rudder shape also has alot to do with wheel tork. Do you have a wedge or trailing rudder?

 

[Froggystyle]

I agree with the 2 blade. I've also found the rudder shape also has alot to do with wheel tork. Do you have a wedge or trailing rudder?

Pretty sure it's a wedge. About 1/2" thick across the back.

 

[obnoxious001]

What size is the prop you are using? I have a 11 1/2X16 three blade on my 21' Howard cruiser and it will pull to the right also. Try something like a 11 1/4X15 or 16 two blade, that should have a lot less torque reaction.

Since you have dyno sheets on the engine,, how much boost and what kind of power did it make, and what RPM do you want to run it?

The prop will be key in handling, not only torque steer, but if the prop lifts the rear of the boat too much, it's going to bow steer as well.

 

[RiverDave]

I would start with trying to move the prop back a little. I'm no v drive guy though, just my thoughts from your description.

 

[obnoxious001]

I would start with trying to move the prop back a little. I'm no v drive guy though, just my thoughts from your description.

Problem with that is he just redid the boat, and the only way to move the prop back is to move the strut. The prop needs to stay as close to the strut as possible.

Having driven a number of turbo ski race boats at high speed, I can state that the wrong prop will make a normally good boat scary. I had a couple of different props for mine, and one was much better than the other. There was another turbo Schiada that I drove many times with a "good" prop, and once with his "spare" on the boat at a practice at Elsinore, where the tail would lift and the boat would wander around, and the skier was still wanting to go faster!

 

[RiverDave]

Problem with that is he just redid the boat, and the only way to move the prop back is to move the strut. The prop needs to stay as close to the strut as possible.

Having driven a number of turbo ski race boats at high speed, I can state that the wrong prop will make a normally good boat scary. I had a couple of different props for mine, and one was much better than the other. There was another turbo Schiada that I drove many times with a "good" prop, and once with his "spare" on the boat at a practice at Elsinore, where the tail would lift and the boat would wander around, and the skier was still wanting to go faster!

Cheap and easy is always where I start.. I'd move it back a hair.. I have little doubt with a twin turbo deal in a 19 Spectra a 3 blade probably isn't going to be the final setup. I was just suggesting that maybe give it a shot on a local lake and see if it helps.

My actual suggestion to Wes via text was "Call prime marine and speak to Mike R. and Mike K." If I had a v-drive cruiser and it had severe handling issues (which it does) that would be call # 1 for me.

RD

 

[vdcruiser]

Just to see what the setup looks like, what is the shaft angle and how far is the end of the strut barrel from the transom? I have made a lot of changes to my Howard and laying down the strut angle to 7.5 degrees and moving it forward to 23.5" from the transom made the most improvement. That and using smaller dia 2 blades, 11 1/4 works well for me. I agree with Barry, prop size and design will be a big factor in handling.