Blackfin 29 2021 Pics and Story
Covid hits Tampa Fl around March 12th, 2020 and basically puts students online for duration of year. This meant alot of spare time so boating and interest in boating flourished as it was a chance to be outdoors, spend time together, and stay socially distanced without the need for masks. Split Decision was being used 1-2 times a week for outings to the local island beach and Egmont Key. Plans for going to Bahamas in August 2020 were cancelled because of "Lockdown" and "curfews" being implemented as the Bahamas found they were not immune to pademic either. Split Decison cancelled plans for trip 3 times but finally December 29th we were off to Bahamas. Tampa to Marathon with a 3 day weather and upgrade stop, then off to Bimini after a night with friends, Night Before Trip To Bimini
After 2 weeks of visitation with friends and family, Split Decision was on her way back to U.S. We decided to stop at West End again and wait for a weather window which would come after a 1 day wait there. We have been chasing 2 problems since our repairs that finished in 2020. There was a vibration coming from 1 or both of the props/running gear plus a small rooster tail coming from somewhere around the rudder exit. We decided to have the boat hauled immediately upon arrival for what ended up being 11 days on the dry with a dehumidifier going. With the help of Pro Yachting World, we were able to track down some final adjustments that needed to be done and change to a set of 19x24 4 blade DQX's repaired by General Propeller. After a test run before and after completion of work, the problems were not only gone, but the boat was flying with a 3/8 tank of fuel. If you look in 2021 pictures you will see various screen shots of RPM's versus GPS speed. 3000 rpm and we were now doing 22knts into a 15-20 knt headwind! You may email Travis @ General for your future prop needs. Travis
A brief description of work completed during haulout: Final adjustment to engine bed/alignment, prop shafts, cutlass tightening, remove old props and send in for testing, install new props ( we now have 4 pair of props), new zincs on shaft and stern, new Black Widow 4 coats on bottom and struts, new Trinidad 75 applied to the trim tabs, rudders and stern 4 coats, Clean hull with FSR,change engine oil/filters, change fuel filters,top off all coolants, check tranny fluids, clean K & N air filters and replace, clean out thruhulls and brush paint, paint inside exhaust tubes. You may contact a knowledgable Pettit Paint Rep here for advice Tim Stark/Pettit Paint Rep
A quik link to some of our Dec 2020- Jan 2021 pics. They are a great view. Link To 2021 Pics
These links will show how clean the entry to the port carbon strut/prop is plus the tapered aquamet 22 shaft/19x24 DQX nibral prop Port Side Running Gear Closeup,
PortProp and Carbon Strut.
