Still Crazy, first time on the water

P

potter water

New member
Susan and I just returned from a glorious 7 day, almost wind free stay at Lake Powell. The spring winds have been horrendous, but with my wife newly retired, we were able to watch the weather gurus do their thing, and got lucky by picking OUR block of time on the Lake. Usually her work or mine had, prior to our retirement, picked out time for us.

So, other than highs in the 90's it was a ball. Still Crazy ran perfectly, and I got lots of learning done "flying a twin" for the first time. Both Suzuki's were right on the money. At the density altitude of the lake during the mid part of the day, the boat would plane at WOT at about 22 mph. We were very heavy with water and food and fuel. The props are eleven and five eighths by 12 inch pitch. WOT produced 5500 rpm.

The Ray Marine 80C with radar and depth and the Navionics western lakes cartridge was pure magic for us. Lake Powell is magnificently detailed in the Navionics cart.

Though Powell is at peak season, we were able to have our pick of coves, nooks and crannies once we were 10 miles away from the Waweap marina area. Motored all the way to Rainbow Bridge, one of the true natural wonders of the world.

Some of our best fun was watching the lake move up over a foot a day, and seeing the tow trucks having to drag cars out of the "closed" lower parking lot above the marina as the water crept up their hub caps.

When anchoring, I had to take in anchor line every 4 to 6 hours to stay on the beach because of the speed with which the lake is rising. The "drainer" crowd is not happy I suspect.

Hope to join the gathering in September and meet some other lovers of CD's and Lake Powell.
 
Hello Harry & Susan. Welcome into the C-Dory family. It was 15 years ago when I purchased my first 22' cruiser. Lake Powell was soon on the list, and I made the run both ways a few times, once when it was a full pool. During one run (Feb). we found Rainbow Bridge vacated except for some thieving ravens which artfully relieved us of some packaged goods foolishly left in the cockpit.

You mentioned going on plane at WOT at around 22 mph. I understand you have twin engines (HP ?) Lake Powell is around 3600 feet. You should be getting on plane between 10-12 mph, if you have trim tabs.
If you don't, I strongly recommend they be installed. Boating at Yellowstone, which is more than twice as high, will frustrate you without tabs. I speak from some experience.

Anyway welcome aboard and hope you can come to Yellowstone this summer so we can meet you. Some other C-Dory folks will be coming here, too. Best wishes. John and Edna
 
Boat gets on plane at 10 to 12 mph. Hard to tell for sure, but I watch the rear wake and when it makes a nice V starting from the stern, then I'm pretty much on plane. I have two 10 inch pitch props for the higher mountain lakes, but use the 12's on Powell. I think that Powell with the high density altitude caused by the heat would be better served by the 10's. WOT on the Suzuki's should give me closer to 5900 according to the manuals. The 10's will do that.

I do have trim tabs, and they are worth their weight in gold. They pop the rear of the boat right up at open throttle, and I think get me up on plane quicker than the boat would without the tabs.

My wife likes hanging out in the cockpit on a small lounger and she's not fat, but that puts over a hundred pounds back there with a BIG cooler and full fuel tanks. Water tank full too, so the tendency to be bow high, even with full down tilt on the motors would be irritating without the tabs when on plane. However, at displacement cruise of 8mph, I don't see much effect from the tabs other than to drag, so i keep them up in that configuration. I do keep the motors down a bit to keep the bow down enough for visibility from the helm. The boat handles fine that way, even with the rear a bit heavy. I love the sound and feel of the boat at that 3200 rpm 8 mph setting with the rear door closed. I also love the fuel consumption. As I told a guy at Wahweap, when we are on the Dory, we have arrived at our destination.

thanks
 
Back
Top