My "First trip in the Bell" thread

[RussGW270]

lol.. figured to make a thread for the first trip. Since I like to ramble and this helps keep me going, figured to give you all a blow by blow of what is happening, and this is where I will link the photos and videos of our trip.

SO!

I have not had my fishing stuff out of the boxes and the corner it was all in since we moved into this house, 2 years ago.. er.. 2.5 years ago....yea, I know, shameful...well, I took some fresh water stuff out when I took the kids fishing.. so,

I just pulled it all upstairs...the rods and reels..and am going through it all and setting it aside while I wait for my friends to come over to help set up the last of the boat AND...*drumroll*....they are bringing a 20-ton floor jack and will resolve the wheel issues

I am teleworking today so I am stuck at my upstairs office.. Does not mean I cannot type and set up my tackle! .. muahahaha

Here is what I have. Yes, it is not as good as it should be, but it is what it is and I will upgrade later.:

3 Penn Senator 6/0 reels. Why? Because I meant to buy 4/0 and these were cheap as hell.. lol 1 has 30lb mono (I think... may be 50), 2 have 50lb braid.
2 Penn Senator 4/0 reels (got these brand new with rods at Cabelas.. so nabbed them.. good deal, like 75 each) each has 30lb mono
2 Bass Pro levelwind reels with 50lb braid
1 large surf spinning reel I added to an ugly stik. It will have 50lb braid on it.

The 3 - 6/0's are one bent butt Pinnacle (?) rods I got off here.
I may switch one of the levelwinds with 50lb braid onto a 4th Pinnacle bent butt.
I have 3 cheapo spinning rods each with like 20lb braid on 6.5' rods from Academy... those will be for bait or "whatever".
The Senators came with their own rods and I have a few extra Ugly Stiks and Tuna rods for the Levelwinds...and some off-brand boat rod for the large El Cheapo reel.. lol

So, that gives me like 11 reels and a couple extra rods.

I have zero doubt my buddy will drag a half dozen rods and reels along as well... so long as they stow away well.

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I have my bag limits printed out AND... even made a nice printout with pictures of each fish because you can never be too carefl to stay inside the legal limits. I like having that. I plan to do a new printout without bag limits that has solid photos and then laminate it for the boat. I will have my little notebook with all paperwork and also nav charts and guides etc... and I will be mapping out my routes and printing those too for notes to update my maps.

I am not OCD....that is the wrong order.. I am CDO.. lol

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I have all new fender bumpers...I went with Blue as they would be here in time, so I am doing the rope etc in blue, for throw and dock lines. I am going to use the current anchor line for now, but am looking to replace it later... with white.. heh..

I am going through all the tackle after I finish the reels etc... only taking what fits inside the 4 boxes under the port chair... ok, and maybe the rest of what fits in that locker.. lol

More later!

R

 

[Heyspike]

Russ , I'm the same way, I also make laminated charts of the bag limits and fish ID's. I wish I knew them all but I don't get to salt water fish that much.

 

[RussGW270]

I am so tired. I could not easily strip the wiring harness off the old vhf, so i only installed the new one. I like the idea of two vhf radios, but wonder if anyone else really uses more than 1.

I still have to recrimp the cat 6 line for the radar. Not sure if it is a standar patch cable or crossover though.

Have not run the steadycast yet. May just stick it on the inside of the electronice box. All that is in there is a vhf atm. Hate to drill a hole when it may get replaced.

So, will leave after sunrise for Port A, but too tired atm to do any more tonight.

R

 

[RussGW270]

Okay, final checklist....asking last second dumb questions so I am sure I did not miss anything...

-- Bilge pumps - float switches so no valves to open, correct? (again....just making sure.. lol)
-- Head operation - while I am out 7 miles, going to make sure that works....without using all the water in the boat.. lol. If we are underway, will it use potable water, or does it take in water? If I need to, I will bring a bucket and pour water in it to save the fresh water, albeit I am not using the potable water for anything as I am using bleach and running it through.. so.. guess it is not that big a deal....just checking.
-- Hrm....what else....

I think that is about it...

Will have pics and videos

I think I have 2 valves in the access panels of the cabin (under the stairs if I remember correctly).. those work great.

I have 2 more in the transom, those were stiff as hell last time....going to work those some more....

I will make sure the fuel switch is set to both...I need to run the fuel down this trip.

Thanks!

Russ

 

[SkunkBoat]

If yours is like most---The head will have an inlet and an outlet thru-hull valve.(the ones under the stairs probably) It uses seawater.
The others are livewell and saltwater wash down.

I would launch with all seacocks closed. when floating open one at a time and check for leaks and proper operation.

 

[Legend]

The head will bring in water from the seacock while underway - as long as it is open

 

[glacierbaze]

If your head has overboard discharge, either direct or via a holding tank, the valve to this discharge must be "locked" in the closed position when inside 3 miles. A "lock" can be a padlock, a wire tie, or other secure means, but not something that is easily removable. Check with your local CG for what is acceptable.

 

[RussGW270]

So, maiden voyage was a bust. Trailer needs repaired. Cannot touch it. Hubs were 228 degrees when I parked it. Will evaluate options tomorrow.

Appears to be surge brakes seized.

r

 

[family affair]

Bummer. Hang in there. Hopefully the worst is behind you!

 

[glacierbaze]

I think you started a trend, Russ. When I just opened the forum, there were 9 'new posts', 5 were guys looking to buy a hard top, and one was a guy trying to decide between a HT and a bimini.

 

[Lsquared]

Did you not get it in the water?

 

[RussGW270]

No sir, I did not. At 228 degrees, the bearings would most likely have shattered the moment I tried.

Will be looking at a total rebuild of the brake system and/or a new trailer. Since the trailer place is in Sarasota, FL....warranty work is out of the question, so that guy gets a 2600 check for brakes that did not last 250 miles.

R

 

[wahoo33417]

Sorry to read that last part, Russ. Could read the building enthusiasm... and then the brakes. But it happens. probably more so to our trailers than to our boats! Hope all goes well on Maiden Voyage II.

Rob