Short notice. Fri RWS get together in Punta Gorda?

[alexander38]

A little short aren't they ? wot should be 4200 or 4400.

WOT speed was 27.1 knots at 4050 RPM

[ready123]

Photo Op prior to leaving in case the Gators did not let us back from venturing into the wilds of the Peace River.... RWS, Ready123 and BobCT

[RWS]

A little short aren't they ? wot should be 4200 or 4400.

WOT speed was 27.1 knots at 4050 RPM

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4400 would indeed be correct with the 454 Crusaders.

These are 6 cylinder Yanmar 315 LP turbodiesels.

RWS

[alexander38]

bust..forgot....my bad...

[yorklyn]

Did you really have to post a sunny picture with palm trees in the background?!?!?!?!? As if it wasn't bad enough your on a boat thats actually "IN" the water!!!!
I am Very Jealous! LOL!

Todd

[prowlersfish]

Ready I redid your photo Three Trojan musketeers

[RWS]

Barring any technical difficulties, a few more photos of the trip.

ok

the files ARE TOO BIG.

I thoughty this new platform allowed for automatically resizing of photos ?

please advise......

RWS

[prowlersfish]

I have to resize mine .

[ready123]

Why I have stuck to using my third party site and linking to them as I did with the old version.
Right click them and copy URL then paste that between the Img button clicks like old times.

[BobCT]

(thanks Paul for pointing me to "Manage Drafts")


Well, I made it home and had 1,287 miles to think about our day out. First off, great to meet you, Mike and spouses. I had low expectations on the weather but it actually turned out to be a really nice day. Thanks again for hosting!

As I mentioned, this was really the first time I've been on an Express for more than two minutes and it reaffirmed just how different they are from the mid cabin. Engines aside for the moment, a few random thoughts:

1) I really like the way they were able to fit components into the engine room (h/w heater, f/w pump, vacuflush components, AC). Those are in scattered around the cabin on my model. Not the end of the world but I wouldn't mind having the noisy bits somewhere else. The AC unit in the mid cabin v berth is a downside for sure.

2) Plenty of room in front of the engines. On the mid cabin, they're pretty close to the engine room bulkhead. I thought of adding an access hatch on at least the Stb engine. I called ABYC last year to see if this was acceptable and they said yes. Recently, I had a tour of a Carver 370 and that's exactly what they did from the factory.

3) I couldn't get over the feeling at the helm. The top of the wheel on the mid cabin is about belt high on me and it was mid chest on the Express. The helm seat is so high they installed a flip down step so you can stand over the top of the window. I have exactly the opposite problem. Somehow when seated. the view seemed about the same on both.

4) The side opening windows are cool. What they should have done was combine that with the center vent window on all models.

5) Plus on the mid cabin for engine room height. Even with the higher flame arrestors, there's probably another 4-6" to the bottom of the hatch. For potential diesel conversions, this probably expands the engine options.

6) Biggest plus of all to the Express, no stringers to worry about.

So, how are those Yanmars you ask? Not too shabby At WOT, I said to Harris it felt like I was driving on a the highway. The boat just flys. There's no way you could replicate that speed with gas engines. With the bigger props, it handles even better around the dock and my boat with 17's isn't too shabby. Even with the original 16's it was ok, much better than a lot of gas inboards. Credit the size and distance of the rudders. I stumbled across an older Sea Ray in a salvage yard down there. I could have put both rudders in my backpack.

For me, I have two really solid engines with all the bolt on components replaced. Plus, living where I do, it's really only a six month boating season. If I had a compelling event like two blown engines, I would definitely give a conversion serious consideration. I'm thankful I had a long drive home, didn't have my checkbook AND that Harris or Mike didn't happen to be Yanmar dealers with "two in stock"

Bob

[prowlersfish]

Great Post . And next time stop in Va and say hello , you just may get a free lunch and another ride on a Diesel Trojan .

[RWS]

For me, I have two really solid engines with all the bolt on components replaced. Plus, living where I do, it's really only a six month boating season. If I had a compelling event like two blown engines, I would definitely give a conversion serious consideration. I'm thankful I had a long drive home, didn't have my checkbook AND that Harris or Mike didn't happen to be Yanmar dealers with "two in stock"

Bob

But wait, there's MORE !

order now and we'll send you a free gasoline fume detector for your new engines.

supplies are limited

operators are standing by

call now !

[RWS]

trip photos posted below

your job, should you choose to accept it is

PROVIDE APPROPRIATE CAPTIONS

more to follow

RWS

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[RWS]

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[yorklyn]

Looks like you boys had a good time! once again , I'm Jealous!!!