Steel Creek April 18th ?? Test Run

[73 Sanger Flat]

I am just thinking I may try and take the boat out for a test Run Saturday at Steel Creek .. Getting a little nervous now with the new power plant and plate settings , plus  the SDBA races coming up in 5 weeks .. I need a couple of test weekend to see if I need to change gears plus need to get my rope deflector modified or made  ..
JJ are you back from Parker and when would you be available to go to Steel Creek ?? 
This is not set in stone yet , just thinking about it .. Not sure why I am so freaking nervous this time about taking the boat out for a test hit but I am ..  Would anyone else be interested in going for a few hours Saturday ?  Most likely I will make a couple of hits and load up and do some adjusting and test again .. I did try on my Lifeline jacket , ballistic short , helmet and suit last night , what a pain in the a$$ that is going to be ..

 

[Crusader]

Good luck brother!

 

[73 Sanger Flat]

Thanks Cliff .. I need it ..

 

[73 Sanger Flat]

Ok, going to wait for JJ to be able to go help me. So May 2nd looks like the first test run.. It will have to be a short test day , That is my Anniversary .. Oh well , boat must go in water .. I have all night to take care of the wife ..

 

[fenceman]

Helmet restraint?

 

[73 Sanger Flat]

Brian -- I have it This is what I have , all from LifelineDriver Suit  - just put the SDBA and Lucas patches on the left sleeve , Ballistic shorts ,  Helmet restraints , New Helmet - not lifeline but Snell and DOT approved ..  Need to get some gloves for the holding rope and I am just going to use Regular tennis shoes

 

[fenceman]

Sounds like all your bases are covered. Don't stress about it. If you forget something we will go around and borrow it from someone. Heck I had nothing my first race, Rusty took me around the pits and we borrowed everything.

 

[73 Sanger Flat]

I remember that about your first race .. Wasn't it Ft.Worth ?  .. I think I have most of it covered , but never know I might forget something or misplace it .. I am getting my number made now for the boat .. I am going with the 4 inch letter on the scoop so I don't have to put them on the side of the boat .. Also getting number made for the RV , Golf Cart , Boat trailer and the Tow Truck .. Installing the SDBA sticker also .. Hell I well be nervous until I make that first pass and I am back on the trailer .. Have to get that first one down so I know how to do this ..
Getting my Velcro for the paddle this weekend also and installing new steering wheel .. I have marked my steering cables with tape and I will mark the steering wheel with tape also for the rudder being straight ..

 

[jimsplace]

I remember that about your first race .. Wasn't it Ft.Worth ?  .. I think I have most of it covered , but never know I might forget something or misplace it .. I am getting my number made now for the boat .. I am going with the 4 inch letter on the scoop so I don't have to put them on the side of the boat .. Also getting number made for the RV , Golf Cart , Boat trailer and the Tow Truck .. Installing the SDBA sticker also .. Hell I well be nervous until I make that first pass and I am back on the trailer .. Have to get that first one down so I know how to do this ..
Getting my Velcro for the paddle this weekend also and installing new steering wheel .. I have marked my steering cables with tape and I will mark the steering wheel with tape also for the rudder being straight ..

Billy, it sounds like you're covering your bases very well, proud of you.

I am glad to hear you have a steering wheel, they do come in handy.
You said you're putting tape on the steering wheel.  That might not be a bad idea, but I'd talk to some others with flats to see what they have done.
My concern would be that on my flat, I think the steering wheel can be rotated more than one full turn.  That makes it possible to have the tape at the top, yet the rudder would be at a maximum turn position.
I too have my steering cables marked with yellow tape.  When they are lined up, the boats going straight.
I've done it that way for years.
Having two places to check rudder position may be good for some, or it may be another thing added to the check list duplicating effort.
Whatever works best for you is your best choice,

    :smile17:

 

[73 Sanger Flat]

Jim  I did mark the steering cable with Red Tape so I can see if the rudder is straight , plus I will mark the steering wheel also with Red tape so I will have two spots to check and make sure the rudder is straight .. I bought a smaller diameter steering wheel and installed it , now it is coming back off for another new one that will be better .. First one did not have enough off set in it for me .. Had to lean forward too much ..  Slowly it is coming together .. JJ is going to make me a new rope deflector and maybe a seat brace

 

[Disturbed]

Ok, going to wait for JJ to be able to go help me. So May 2nd looks like the first test run.. It will have to be a short test day , That is my Anniversary .. Oh well , boat must go in water .. I have all night to take care of the wife ..

Y'all could slide down to Somerville and do a little testing.  Texasjet is having his retirement party that weekend at Yegua. 

 

[jimsplace]

Jim  I did mark the steering cable with Red Tape so I can see if the rudder is straight , plus I will mark the steering wheel also with Red tape so I will have two spots to check and make sure the rudder is straight .. I bought a smaller diameter steering wheel and installed it , now it is coming back off for another new one that will be better .. First one did not have enough off set in it for me .. Had to lean forward too much ..  Slowly it is coming together .. JJ is going to make me a new rope deflector and maybe a seat brace

Tony swears up and down the seat brace helped him a lot.  It apparently makes the seat less flexible, which in turn makes it easier to work the peddles.
I worked with mine several time and the seat is pretty solid without a brace, but I still intend to have a seat bracket too.

Can you see the red pretty well?  I used yellow tape which stands out in the shadows.
Oh yea, you're a youngster, so seeing stuff like that isn't one of your problem.

Maybe next year i'll hang a couple of LED lights on my cables to replace the tape.
The more experienced generation needs all the help we can get.
    :smile17: