Never build a boat, story of the Ho-Hum

[Tracy]

When you get this mod done, it will almost be time to build another boat and make it the way you want it this time..LOL. I've never been on a boat with a sea keeper, guess I need richer friends.

Michigan is a bit different than other states. You can't build a small charter boat. You can build a big one, but not a six pack.
We don't have uninspected vessels in Michigan. Basically, if you have a big boat, Coast Guard handles everything. If you are classified as uninspected by the coast guard. Michigan DNR does their own licensing and inspections. Coast Guard has rules and standards for a custom built boat, DNR does not.
Trust me, it would have been much cheaper and easier to build a new boat from scratch but I wouldn't be allowed to run it in Michigan. You have to buy an existing hull and title made by an actual boat builder with plans signed from a marine engineer. Any changes to that original boat have to be inspected and signed off, there is a process for that.
It is a unique little ecosystem here on the Lakes, you have to roll with the rules already in place.

 

[Eastwest]

Great to see this post that I have missed . I too have a aluminum skiff . Towed it all the way to Puerto Vallarta and Baja dirt roads . We are a few who forge are own path and I also like cardboard to make a pattern the old school way . Goodtimes Rumdumb

 

[<*)))><]

Dude you have mad skills. Much respect!

 

[Jared0425]

How is your sea keeper working out?

 

[Tracy]

How is your sea keeper working out?

It was well tested the last couple of weeks and while there are some bugs, it is amazing.

 

[Tracy]

So a bit of an update on the Seakeeper. It is amazing.
I wish their spec sheet was even remotely accurate when it came to power consumption, it could have saved me thousands of dollars and another week of tearing out and replacing everything I just installed. Outside of that, this thing is amazing. We have had a horrific year for weather. Saturday was the first calm day I have had all season. I picked a very good year to install and try this thing out.
If you are on the fence about one, buy it. It is night and day difference when you hit the switch. The comfort aspect is huge and greatly reduces the amount of puke to clean off the boat. Even more so, the safety aspect is amazing as well. I don't have divers stumbling on a rocking deck and potentially falling down.

 

[Jared0425]

So a bit of an update on the Seakeeper. It is amazing.
I wish their spec sheet was even remotely accurate when it came to power consumption, it could have saved me thousands of dollars and another week of tearing out and replacing everything I just installed. Outside of that, this thing is amazing. We have had a horrific year for weather. Saturday was the first calm day I have had all season. I picked a very good year to install and try this thing out.
If you are on the fence about one, buy it. It is night and day difference when you hit the switch. The comfort aspect is huge and greatly reduces the amount of puke to clean off the boat. Even more so, the safety aspect is amazing as well. I don't have divers stumbling on a rocking deck and potentially falling down.

Been the worst year in my 25 years of diving and 15 years of surveying.

 

[Gone for diving]

I wish their spec sheet was even remotely accurate when it came to power consumption, it could have saved me thousands of dollars and another week of tearing out and replacing everything I just installed.

How much power does it use?

 

[Tracy]

How much power does it use?

Specs said it would draw 60A for 60 minutes for spoolup. That wasn't an issue as it is plugged into shore power for spooling. They claimed 6A spooled and not in use and 15A - 25A running depending on sea state.

It actuality, it uses about 50A for 45 minutes for spoolup.
15A continuous and up to 30 when running.

I originally had a 100A pass through charger/power supply for spool up and two 100AH AGM batteries for power.
The first time I used it, the batteries were spent in 3 hours. I thought maybe it was a fluke, next day same thing so I put a meter on it. It was using 2-3 times the power it was supposed to use.
I pulled it all back out. Still have the 100A charger/power supply, just had to lower the output/float voltage. Went back with 200AH of lithium, 300 watts of solar, and a DCDC charger to charge off the engines under way.
Now I can run two charters per day with zero issue. I come in from a 4 hour trip around 85% on a normal day and if needed, I can be back to 100% in 10 minutes on shore power.
If it is stormy and I don't get much from solar, I am still coming in around 70% and could run a second trip without issue as the lithiums are fine to discharge down to around 20% without adverse effects.

 

[Tracy]

Been the worst year in my 25 years of diving and 15 years of surveying.

Next time I catch you coming back in, you should come out for a ride. I don't think you will convince Dave to buy one, but you can see what it does.