Spectra Maiden Run!

[Boatcop]

Well, the maiden run of the new (to me) Spectra didn't exactly go as smooth as desired. After spending the last couple days washing, waxing, polishing cleaning, tuning, etc., we headed to the River to try her out. Had the battery on charge for most of the morning and started in the driveway right off.
Backed it down the ramp, went to start it, and it cranked, tried to fire, but no dice. Fuel, yep. Spark, yep. Hmm. Pulled the flame arrestor and noticed a cap on one of the vacuum ports was deteriorated. Quick trip to Circle K for some electrical tape for a temp fix, and it fired right up. YEE-HAAA!
Launched and headed up to the dam. Ran flawlessly. Don't know the RPMs it was running, cause the tach seemed off. Idle sounded correct but showed 1500 RPM. Got up on plane and cruised nice, but the tach was showing 5,000 RPM, when it should have been around 3,500 just on plane. Showing 7,500 RPM at WOT. I KNOW that wasn't correct.
Got up to the Dam, shut it down for a float and a swim, and then went to start it up. Err...Err...Click, click, click. %$&#$*&$%@$. Looked at the battery. Warranty expired in 2001, so I knew that was the culprit.
So we floated/paddled to the dock at Floater's (The old Winner's Circle), my son's apartment is there, so we woke him up (he works graveyard) and borrowed his truck for a run to Havasu Springs Boat Repair for a new battery.
Back to the dock, new battery. Turned key, fired up before a full revolution. YEE HAAA! (Again)
Rest of the day was no hassle, cruised by the upper Sandbar, then through the Keys. Stopped and chatted with RD and his band of thieves for a while, before heading back to the ramp, and the long (8 mile) trip back home.
All in all a pretty good day. Shake-down wasn't without minor aggravations, but I would call it a success. See ya on the River!

[AZKC]

Good deal :D Nice to be out amongst all the rif raf without the red and blues I'm sure. Enjoy :D

[shueman]

Sounds like a great first day....a lil wrenchin', a lotta runnin'.....!!!
We'll be runnin down there in a few weeks... :hammer2:

[Brooski]

Pulled the flame arrestor and noticed a cap on one of the vacuum ports was deteriorated. Quick trip to Circle K for some electrical tape for a temp fix, and it fired right up. YEE-HAAA!!
Now you are on the right track. Back Alley Rigging at its finest.
Don't know the RPMs it was running, cause the tach seemed off. Idle sounded correct but showed 1500 RPM. Got up on plane and cruised nice, but the tach was showing 5,000 RPM, when it should have been around 3,500 just on plane. Showing 7,500 RPM at WOT. I KNOW that wasn't correct.
Alan, check the back of the Tachometer and see if there is a small switch. Sometimes they have a switch for a 4, 6, or 8 cylinder engine, which if in the wrong position, make the tach wrong. Sounds like it may be set for a 6 cylinder. Congrats on your maiden voyage. My engine blew up on my maiden trip. :messedup:

[LUVNLIFE]

Alan I would def call it a success. Congrats :D

[Biglue]

Overall a decent trip. I bet you had a smile ear to ear, I always one with my two boats. Congrats. Tough drive though huh? :D

[burtandnancy]

What model Spectra (new to you) do you have?

[phebus]

Alan, check the back of the Tachometer and see if there is a small switch. Sometimes they have a switch for a 4, 6, or 8 cylinder engine, which if in the wrong position, make the tach wrong. Sounds like it may be set for a 6 cylinder. Congrats on your maiden voyage. My engine blew up on my maiden trip. :messedup:
Or, sometimes just from sitting, the contacts get dirty. So, move the switch through the different settings before leaving it on the proper setting.
I've had that happen to me, and it worked right after fiddling with it.

[Boatcop]

What model Spectra (new to you) do you have?
Spectra 20 455 Olds w/Jacuzzi Jet.

[KACHINA KEN]

Well, the maiden run of the new (to me) Spectra didn't exactly go as smooth as desired. After spending the last couple days washing, waxing, polishing cleaning, tuning, etc., we headed to the River to try her out. Had the battery on charge for most of the morning and started in the driveway right off.
Backed it down the ramp, went to start it, and it cranked, tried to fire, but no dice. Fuel, yep. Spark, yep. Hmm. Pulled the flame arrestor and noticed a cap on one of the vacuum ports was deteriorated. Quick trip to Circle K for some electrical tape for a temp fix, and it fired right up. YEE-HAAA!
Launched and headed up to the dam. Ran flawlessly. Don't know the RPMs it was running, cause the tach seemed off. Idle sounded correct but showed 1500 RPM. Got up on plane and cruised nice, but the tach was showing 5,000 RPM, when it should have been around 3,500 just on plane. Showing 7,500 RPM at WOT. I KNOW that wasn't correct.
Got up to the Dam, shut it down for a float and a swim, and then went to start it up. Err...Err...Click, click, click. %$&#$*&$%@$. Looked at the battery. Warranty expired in 2001, so I knew that was the culprit.
So we floated/paddled to the dock at Floater's (The old Winner's Circle), my son's apartment is there, so we woke him up (he works graveyard) and borrowed his truck for a run to Havasu Springs Boat Repair for a new battery.
Back to the dock, new battery. Turned key, fired up before a full revolution. YEE HAAA! (Again)
Rest of the day was no hassle, cruised by the upper Sandbar, then through the Keys. Stopped and chatted with RD and his band of thieves for a while, before heading back to the ramp, and the long (8 mile) trip back home.
All in all a pretty good day. Shake-down wasn't without minor aggravations, but I would call it a success. See ya on the River!
I dont see the problem anywhere in your story Alan, you were on the lake pimpin your new ride. Me, shit I was in a ballroom in PHX with some amateur lighting guy slaving all day. You are the victor this weekend. savor the flavor of being the luckier man.

[Jordy]

At least you were on the water. I spent the weekend sitting in my new boat in the backyard making engine noises and drinking beer. Next weekend, when it's officially mine, it will be a different story however. ;)
Congrats on the new boat Alan. :D :D :D

[BarryMac]

Congrats Alan, sounds like a great time even with the minor problems. So where are the pics of your maiden voyage? You can't post 'em because your undercover boatcop now or what??? j/k...

[Cole Trickle]

Well, the maiden run of the new (to me) Spectra didn't exactly go as smooth as desired. After spending the last couple days washing, waxing, polishing cleaning, tuning, etc., we headed to the River to try her out. Had the battery on charge for most of the morning and started in the driveway right off.
Backed it down the ramp, went to start it, and it cranked, tried to fire, but no dice. Fuel, yep. Spark, yep. Hmm. Pulled the flame arrestor and noticed a cap on one of the vacuum ports was deteriorated. Quick trip to Circle K for some electrical tape for a temp fix, and it fired right up. YEE-HAAA!
Launched and headed up to the dam. Ran flawlessly. Don't know the RPMs it was running, cause the tach seemed off. Idle sounded correct but showed 1500 RPM. Got up on plane and cruised nice, but the tach was showing 5,000 RPM, when it should have been around 3,500 just on plane. Showing 7,500 RPM at WOT. I KNOW that wasn't correct.
Got up to the Dam, shut it down for a float and a swim, and then went to start it up. Err...Err...Click, click, click. %$&#$*&$%@$. Looked at the battery. Warranty expired in 2001, so I knew that was the culprit.
So we floated/paddled to the dock at Floater's (The old Winner's Circle), my son's apartment is there, so we woke him up (he works graveyard) and borrowed his truck for a run to Havasu Springs Boat Repair for a new battery.
Back to the dock, new battery. Turned key, fired up before a full revolution. YEE HAAA! (Again)
Rest of the day was no hassle, cruised by the upper Sandbar, then through the Keys. Stopped and chatted with RD and his band of thieves for a while, before heading back to the ramp, and the long (8 mile) trip back home.
All in all a pretty good day. Shake-down wasn't without minor aggravations, but I would call it a success. See ya on the River!
I thought you were going to say you got busted by Parker PD for OUI!!! :D
Congrats on getting on the water dosen't sound like your experience was all that out of line.(B.O.A.T.)
Brandin