We were dying to get this thing in the water, so we loaded it up and took off to a private pond we have access to (since we didn't have our registration numbers and such, yet). It was a good shakedown run, and we found several things that needed attention. Just like when building a motorcycle, never make those first runs too far from home, or too far out...
1- This boat is STABLE! I was concerned about a 10' boat with the two of us, and was even considering building outriggers for it...but after a couple of times out on this boat, I wouldn't think of having outriggers now. Deb and I talk to each other before we stand up, but this 48" wide hull is wonderfully stable. It didn't take long to get used to small amount of roll it has when we move around in it.
2- This is a riveted hull...and a couple of the rivets leaked. Not bad, but I took care of that with silicone caulking when we returned.
3- The previous owner had the rear seat all the way to the left, and intended the battery to go all the way to the right to balance it, but that is a miserable setup. I decided to move the seat to the middle, and that 60lb series 27 battery had to go!
4- We burned the forward / reverse switch out of that ancient Minn Kota trolling motor on the first run. It was difficult to switch, and probably had oxidation and was making bad contact, as it was getting pretty hot. Walmart had an exact replacement on the shaft in the boating section for a couple of bucks. Replaced it when I got home, and it's been working perfectly ever since.
5- Those HARD plastic, non-folding seats had to go. My butt was on fire back the time we got back to the ramp.
