20' Hourston Euro Transom

[Gong Show]

Hey @myles
Saw you roll into Prideaux Haven yesterday. Tried waving you over, but after two waves I needed to cool off and crack another cold one.

That area just aft of the black trim line needs nothing. Your eye immediately goes from the line to the big black beast you have hanging off the euro transom.

Next time roll on by the Gong Show, we don't bite (too hard)

 

[myles]

Hey @myles
Saw you roll into Prideaux Haven yesterday. Tried waving you over, but after two waves I needed to cool off and crack another cold one.

That area just aft of the black trim line needs nothing. Your eye immediately goes from the line to the big black beast you have hanging off the euro transom.

Next time roll on by the Gong Show, we don't bite (too hard)

Aw man no way! I must have been focusing on keeping her off the rocks on the way in It was a much-needed cool off for us and such a beauty spot I couldn't resist showing my friend. We were up Toba inlet that weekend it was fantastic and excellent fishing too.

Yes, the beast on the back does look pretty good now. I like how the top cowling is the inverted angle to the euro transom. An unforeseen bonnus!

Hopefully, we were too obnoxious. I think a few cold coronas had been consumed by that time in the day and the heat was really making us go crazy.

Next time we will stop by for sure, what does the boat look like?

 

[Gong Show]

 

[myles]

View attachment 67680

Oh man totally saw you guys! I should be up this weekend again, might have to go back to toba again.

fishing will be difficult, im missing 2 downriggers. Some jerk stole them from the boat two nights ago...if you see any white cannons lmk.

 

[walleyes]

Oh man totally saw you guys! I should be up this weekend again, might have to go back to toba again.

fishing will be difficult, im missing 2 downriggers. Some jerk stole them from the boat two nights ago...if you see any white cannons lmk.

Fricken dick wods. I’d like to know who buys this stuff off these crack heads. They are just as bad as the douce bags that do the stealing.

 

[myles]

Hey guys, got another weekend on the boat. I tried a 19P eco and it was better. I burned about 50L from Pender to Harwood island and grants reef to the fuel dock at powell. I think around 3.5 MPG. The best cruise is 29-31mph seeing 3.3 up to 3.7-3.8mpg when I get it tuned correctly.

I added autopilot and radar this week so looking forward to testing that out.

Have yet to figure out how the auto function works on the zipwakes. My biggest knock is the zipwakes spray water on my engine leg and make it look like I have the trim incorrect. I plan to call them and ask if this is an installation error or normal? I will try and get a picture. They work very well, this is more of a cosmetic thing it makes the boat look like its trimmed incorrectly.

Going on a week-long trip but planning to do a review of everything for those who are interested in the end performance result.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipPvZPfFYD1CiCvkJgbKCNLA0YTchzYGvRwMmGR7
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipPvZPfFYD1CiCvkJgbKCNLA0YTchzYGvRwMmGR7

 

[coholips]

Charles Hourston would have been very proud of your accomplishments on this outstanding example of one of the most awesome fiberglass boats ever made for our BC waters!

 

[Fritz]

this is a good side view of the lines I was going for.

Mission accomplished.

I’ve been so busy with my own sh@t show I haven’t had time to check this thread out in awhile. It looks amazing Myles. I also really appreciate your passion for this ride and your constructive information sharing.

Kudos!

 

[myles]

I’ve been so busy with my own sh@t show I haven’t had time to check this thread out in awhile. It looks amazing Myles. I also really appreciate your passion for this ride and your constructive information sharing.

Kudos!
View attachment 68006

It looks like you have been busy as well! It will feel good to get that pod mounted and hang some motors I have been out enjoying the boat the last week overall super happy with it. I have a few tweaks to make in the winter of course.

 

[Fritz]

It looks like you have been busy as well! It will feel good to get that pod mounted and hang some motors I have been out enjoying the boat the last week overall super happy with it. I have a few tweaks to make in the winter of course.

The work never ends, does it?

 

[myles]

The work never ends, does it?

any updates?

 

[Fritz]

any updates?

 

[Fritz]

View attachment 68456

It’s coming, busy, busy, busy lol

 

[myles]

It’s coming, busy, busy, busy lol

wow you have been busy.

Nice L6, 225hp?

Ran lots of those motors-one of the best in the bunch that straight 6 block is hard to break. You won't have any corrosion issues just keep on the shaft seal change the oil and go. I wouldn't bother doing impellers every 300hrs as that involves removing the lower unit and I think that's why the shaft seals tend to leak prematurely having the drive shaft go in and out it scores the rubber.

 

[Fritz]

wow you have been busy.

Nice L6, 225hp?

Ran lots of those motors-one of the best in the bunch that straight 6 block is hard to break. You won't have any corrosion issues just keep on the shaft seal change the oil and go. I wouldn't bother doing impellers every 300hrs as that involves removing the lower unit and I think that's why the shaft seals tend to leak prematurely having the drive shaft go in and out it scores the rubber.

It’s an L4, I would love the big 6 but in my opinion with a kicker it’s too much weight (700lbs with prop, fluids and hydraulic steering) for the boat. I am a big fan of the VRod, but I think a brand new DTS V6 will hopefully be in this boats distant future. And yes! Those damn seals around the oil pump. I’ve heard two trains of thought, the first being that if you leave the LU impeller inspection for too long the seals get chewed from lack of servicing with 2-4-C and the second being removals and installations can also damage the seals. Time will tell I guess. With the way things are going I might be putting lithium ion batteries for an electric with all the new legislation. I will say this, if they cancel sport fishing I’ll be looking for a 450R to put on this thing

 

[myles]

It’s an L4, I would love the big 6 but in my opinion with a kicker it’s too much weight (700lbs with prop, fluids and hydraulic steering) for the boat. I am a big fan of the VRod, but I think a brand new DTS V6 will hopefully be in this boats distant future. And yes! Those damn seals around the oil pump. I’ve heard two trains of thought, the first being that if you leave the LU impeller inspection for too long the seals get chewed from lack of servicing with 2-4-C and the second being removals and installations can also damage the seals. Time will tell I guess. With the way things are going I might be putting lithium ion batteries for an electric with all the new legislation. I will say this, if they cancel sport fishing I’ll be looking for a 450R to put on this thing

Oh i didn't notice it's a L4. Are they still supercharged? I don't have much experience with them, but a good idea to keep the weight down on the back end that will help with CG. So is that motor a 175 or 200hp? That will be nice for now you will still hit 44mph. A 225 DTS V6 would be great. Sometimes i wish i'd gone that way , but the V8 hasn't steered me wrong yet with 600 running hours. The 2 extra cylinders don't add much weight.

My AMG house just died and I was looking at Lithium as a replacement but it's double the price so I'm going AGM again hopefully in 5 yrs the lithium banks are more affordable. 800 bucks for a battery seems steep even if they are good for years...

nice work!

 

[myles]

Oh i didn't notice it's a L4. Are they still supercharged? I don't have much experience with them, but a good idea to keep the weight down on the back end that will help with CG. So is that motor a 175 or 200hp? That will be nice for now you will still hit 44mph. A 225 DTS V6 would be great. Sometimes i wish i'd gone that way , but the V8 hasn't steered me wrong yet with 600 running hours. The 2 extra cylinders don't add much weight.

My AMG house just died and I was looking at Lithium as a replacement but it's double the price so I'm going AGM again hopefully in 5 yrs the lithium banks are more affordable. 800 bucks for a battery seems steep even if they are good for years...

nice work!

what is the eta for sea trial?

 

[Fritz]

what is the eta for sea trial?

Lol,
I have wiring, seating with cabinets, I need to take the roof off (unfortunately) because the windows are jammed in the tracks and need new felt, I have a date with the spray booth hopefully in late fall, and new fuel tanks to go in.
I was seriously contemplating on rushing and sitting on a milk crate at sea but,
I think it would end up similar to a home renovation where it never gets done and I end up staring at things I should have done and being pissed off (haha).
I’m three months behind schedule mainly due to waiting for materials. It took over 2 months to get marine aluminum for the pod and even stepped up to 5086 because it was more readily available than 5052.
However I’m still very happy with the fit and finish so far. I also think if I keep up on the cheap things that just require lots of labour it allows me to keep putting pennies away for a chart plotter, a Vessel View 503 and a brand new Merc Pro troll 9.9 EFI!

I’m hoping a winter sea trial with the right conditions

 

[myles]

Lol,
I have wiring, seating with cabinets, I need to take the roof off (unfortunately) because the windows are jammed in the tracks and need new felt, I have a date with the spray booth hopefully in late fall, and new fuel tanks to go in.
I was seriously contemplating on rushing and sitting on a milk crate at sea but,
I think it would end up similar to a home renovation where it never gets done and I end up staring at things I should have done and being pissed off (haha).
I’m three months behind schedule mainly due to waiting for materials. It took over 2 months to get marine aluminum for the pod and even stepped up to 5086 because it was more readily available than 5052.
However I’m still very happy with the fit and finish so far. I also think if I keep up on the cheap things that just require lots of labour it allows me to keep putting pennies away for a chart plotter, a Vessel View 503 and a brand new Merc Pro troll 9.9 EFI!

I’m hoping a winter sea trial with the right conditions

hahah it's a journey.

I think 9.9 EFI is the same weight as 15 EFI you should check the specs..

 

[myles]

A little update. The boat ran well this summer overall, it got about 200hrs put on it no cracks or issues it's an absolute tank. I knew my prop was oversized at 19P, so i finally bit the bullet and bought a new 18P for over 1200 bucks! The price has really gone up on them I nearly fell off my chair, needed lube for that one my god.

Got her out for a test run this weekend and the holeshot is better and it was already good. I was able to get her up to 47.5 mph around 5300/5350 RPM with 50% load, i could have trimmed out more but i was butt heavy with 50% fuel, lots of ice and gear in the stern and no gear in bow so that wasn't helping. I could probably step down to a 17P but I tried one and my fuel burn increased at cruise so I'm going to stick with the 18P. Fuel numbers go from 3.5-3.9 depending on trim levels in flatter water. 3.6mpg (US gal) (3.78L) I would say is the average and anything over just makes me smile. Anything over 30mph and the economy falls off slowly, this boat loves 28-30mph. Anymore more or less and your burning more fuel per mile traveled.

I will have a 19P eco prop for sale soon so shoot me a message if you want pictures, its in good shape only 1 yr old.

I have a few more projects for the boat this winter, looking at changing the seating for the driver because it sucks right now. I may add a skim coat of epoxy filler on the planning surface of the euro transom to change the running angle of the boat. I went with the safe route and the boat has a little too much rocker on the addition which I'm thinking isn't helping my porpoising which sometimes happens if I try trimming the boat out and then start getting into some chop. I must be hitting some sort of harmonic frequency. I think I can mud some epoxy filler on pretty easily now that I already have a fair shape, use some aluminum angle as a guide to float the filler on it really should be that bad