Tow Driver -- Pick up downed skiier
Here's how to pick up a water-skier or wakeboarder after they've fallen or are done with their run in the water.
Converting Between Decimal and Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS)
GPS coordinates can come as either DMS or Dec. format.
DMS: 37° 54' 56.52"N 121° 51' 21.96"W
Dec: 37.9157N 121.8561W
DMS: 37° 54' 56.52"N 121° 51' 21.96"W
Dec: 37.9157N 121.8561W
First Time Cruising the California Delta
We took out our friends for a cruise of the delta and some wakeboard riding. We launched out of Orwood (37.9389N 121.6113W) during a wakeboarding competition which slowed us down a bit while we waited for a time to pass. There is a place to set up your boat and pay to park before heading out (37.9382N 121.6124W).
Standard Horizon HX850S Marine Transceiver
I now have a hand held marine radio--the Standard Horizon HX850S(picture). This thing is awesome. I can sign up for an MMSI number so that we are safe out in the bay if we need to signal for help. The unit also has GPS tracking so that a distress call sends the most current position data along with the distress signal.
Labor Day fun at Lake McClure
Over the Labor Day weekend, we finally took our Chaparral 236 SSX out onto deeper water at Lake McClure. My 4.8L GMC 1500 hauled the 5500lbs boat and trailer (with surge brake) combo up over the Altamont Pass at 50-55 MPH and on to Lake McClure. Once she was in the water, all thoughts of work and stress faded away. Gas was expensive at the marina ($5.69 per gallon) but we had fun none-the-less--20 gallons cost me $114.00.
We still had 5 hours of burn-in time on the 320HP Volvo Penta 5.7L GXi engine which we took care of on the first day. After that, the fun really began. Using the trim function of the DPS Duoprop outdrive we achieved a speed of 51MPH (44 knots)--whew, that was great. We weren't the fastest boat on the water (the 1000lbs bass boats with 250HP still creeped by us) but we certainly smoked quite a few boats. The deep-V hull design cut through the wakes of other boats like a knife. The included Sirius Satellite Radio was a big hit with the party crew.
It was great to see the whole family together again on the houseboat. The adults liked the ride and the speed of the boat. The kids were afraid of the new boat and complained about their tubing experience. I think it was due more to the attachment point of the rope to the boat (ski ring near the swim platform which dragged the rope in the water which caused spray for the riders).
I can't wait to get her up to Lake Tahoe!
We still had 5 hours of burn-in time on the 320HP Volvo Penta 5.7L GXi engine which we took care of on the first day. After that, the fun really began. Using the trim function of the DPS Duoprop outdrive we achieved a speed of 51MPH (44 knots)--whew, that was great. We weren't the fastest boat on the water (the 1000lbs bass boats with 250HP still creeped by us) but we certainly smoked quite a few boats. The deep-V hull design cut through the wakes of other boats like a knife. The included Sirius Satellite Radio was a big hit with the party crew.
It was great to see the whole family together again on the houseboat. The adults liked the ride and the speed of the boat. The kids were afraid of the new boat and complained about their tubing experience. I think it was due more to the attachment point of the rope to the boat (ski ring near the swim platform which dragged the rope in the water which caused spray for the riders).
I can't wait to get her up to Lake Tahoe!