Her Maiden Voyage...

So I took Serenity out to Lake Ballinger around noon. It started out pretty cloudy but the sun was out by the time I got her all setup. It really did turn out to be a perfect afternoon but unfortunately...

I only got about half way across the lake before my drive malfunctioned. It turns out they either didn't tighten part of it down hard enough or didn't test it before they shipped it. It wouldn't stay upright because the plate that holds the locking pin was placed too far back. It kept slipping forward instead of staying perpendicular to the hull. During the paddle back I realized my paddling skills are not so great hehe.

Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed but at least I'm finding these things out before I get her out on the sound LOL. I also learned to always bring along an allen wrench and that I need some scupper plugs.

I'm glad you finally made it out on the water after the shipping incident.  Good call on testing it in an easy environment before hitting the salt.  Were you able to fix the drive?  Any leaks? 

I'm glad you finally made it out on the water after the shipping incident.  Good call on testing it in an easy environment before hitting the salt.  Were you able to fix the drive?  Any leaks?

Thanks! It was fun while it lasted. 

Fortunately it was an easy fix and there was no leakage in the short time I was in the water. I just needed an allen wrench to move the locking pin plate up a couple mm. I'm going to try again tomorrow - should be another nice day.

you sure you want to use scupper plugs? i bought a full set for my OK T15 years ago when it was new... used them like twice, decided i was drier without them. Many other members have had the same experience. [Jibbers! just realized my yak is 11 and older than my kid]

have fun breaking in your new ride. its great fun getting things broken in and sorted out... don't try to do it all at once though... take your time.

you sure you want to use scupper plugs? <snip>

I got some water in the tank well that I just assumed was from the scuppers? Now that I think about it, it probably came from my terrible paddling technique LOL.

Is totally ok. My paddle strokes aren't all the picturesque either.  If your boat has scuppers in the tank well, some don't, sure they might have allowed water in. Shouldn't be that much though. 

I also used scupper plugs a few times on the water, then abandoned them.