Hi Pete,

 

Just had my first Bar Crusher trip, was actually nervous. Just took my wife and no gear or bait, did about an hour. First impressions were very positive.

 

It was blowing about 15-20 knots off shore with an untidy messy sea out wider in St Vincents Gulf. The hull inspires a lot of confidence. Waiting for a bang off some bigger ones, we instead experienced a smooth "slice" re-entry. No jarring at all. The hull feels rock solid under power, and drifting with the motor off gave us a very stable platform when moving around. Doesn't have that flexing, giving feel of lighter boats.

 

The Honda is whisper quiet, and after old Jonno 2 strokes it is hard to hear it at idle. The weight didn't seem to be an issue. Of course I didn't take it over about 4500, and didn't flatten it out of the hole, but it's essentially a fishing boat, not a race machine, and it seems, on first impressions to be a good choice. I know some guys are going for the larger Suzuki's, but I'm happy.

 

With me (BIG) on one side and my wife (SMALL) on the other, and with a side wind we had a lean to my side under power. I guess this is an acceptable trade off for a deep V ride, and could be (and was) alleviated by both lifting up the canopy to its UP position (i.e. not pulled down to the windscreen) and letting the air flow through, and me shifting over closer to my wife. That's ok with my wife. Not sure how my mate Dino will react tomorrow if it's blowing side on.

 

Pacific Marine have been great so far. I'd heard varying reports from others who'd had mixed dealings with them, so I was pretty cautious, wary and specific in my requests. However, in the long run Tim looked after me really well  in his own way!) and there were no hidden surprises or extras. I was very happy with my experience, and this has given me confidence in them...so far. I guess he could say I drove him nuts with my requests and queries, but he was true to his word on everything we agreed on. He did try to con me into leaving it the showroom for 2 weeks when it was set up. He also rang me on Friday to see how it was, which was good PR.

 

Well, that's enough of me. I'm going out tomorrow fishing all day, so will be learning more about the BC but so far I haven't got either a quibble with it nor a regret about my choice.

 

Dennis Mason