Moving to The Dark Side. Pilot House w/F300. Just because... it's Atlantic Northeast.

[veedubtek]

That's the same AP I just had installed, pretty badass for sure, been having lots of fun learning it

 

[swatski]

That's the same AP I just had installed, pretty badass for sure, been having lots of fun learning it

The remote is the best part!

Auto tracking feels a bit insane in a channel though. The great feature of this system is the "shadow drive" - start steering at the helm at any time, the system senses the helm pump (either helm) and goes into "shadow drive" mode - basically a manual override; as soon as you stop steering it snaps back into the auto mode.
Feels insane, but it is a great feature in crowded place, like where we boat - we usually pass dozens of boats on the way in and out, and some of them can be wild captains - so the manual override is used a lot.

The guys who did my install (Octopus Yachts) did an outstanding job, best locations for everything, calibrations are spot on, they bled and re-bled my steering so it works better than new from factory.
I also got the G3 Vision maps installed, and the new ACR OLAS MOB system, so I'm a happy camper.

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[veedubtek]

I kinda assumed shadow drive was standard on all AP's, but I've never had one before.

You have radar? Curious if this AP will route around obstacles and such picked up by the radar.

 

[swatski]

I kinda assumed shadow drive was standard on all AP's, but I've never had one before.

You have radar? Curious if this AP will route around obstacles and such picked up by the radar.

I do have a radar, which is basically a requirement here.
Mine is set up to alarm for obstacles and I have had it gone off a couple of times when passing someone close by, I do not know if the AP would do an avoidance maneuver by itself, may need to test it (when Kate is not in the boat, lol).
I slip in a marina inside the Kill channel (NY/NJ) - it's about as busy a harbor as it gets. Need to watch for these guys - they don't stop for you, lol.






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[swatski]

Getting back today from a long ride around the Sandy Hook and Staten Island, last stretch in the Kill channel - going 50mph+ feels good, the pilot house cuts the wind.


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[Quad]

Getting back today from a long ride around the Sandy Hook and Staten Island, last stretch in the Kill channel - going 50mph+ feels good, the pilot house cuts the wind.
View attachment 154117

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Cruising at 50+mph? That's pretty awesome.

 

[swatski]

Cruising at 50+mph? That's pretty awesome.

Well, that's the top end, just about, and I like to let her rip often, this motor sounds absolutely great, smooth as silk running WOT 5,800-5,900 RPM; it is actually considered as a good idea to run these engines WOT, per dealer/factory recommendation, albeit I may be pushing the concept a bit, lol.

What's interesting, these Parker pilot house fishing boats are basically unchanged since the 80s, and while they were always built as planing hulls many had diesel inboards and were used like semi-displacement trawlers.

So, the F300 package offered from the factory is very recent; needless to say, it is a completely different animal as compared to 150/200 powered boats that used to be standard with this hull.

I get some weird looks passing every cruiser in the bay, which is funny because my Parker certainly does not look like a speed boat.

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[veedubtek]

What kind of fuel burn you get wide open? I'll always make at least one top speed run every time I go out, but cringe when I see the fuel burn, 49.6gph, lol.

 

[zipper]

What kind of fuel burn you get wide open? I'll always make at least one top speed run every time I go out, but cringe when I see the fuel burn, 49.6gph, lol.

Where is the Holy Crap rating emoji...lol. But you have a sweet boat.

 

[veedubtek]

lol, no doubt. That's why I don't do it very long. I can usually cruise around 33 or so averaging a 14.5 fuel burn.

 

[swatski]

What kind of fuel burn you get wide open? I'll always make at least one top speed run every time I go out, but cringe when I see the fuel burn, 49.6gph, lol.

That’s the beauty of this Parker, which frankly surprised me… I still seem to get 2mpg at WOT! Lol

Of course, that’s only in flat water and not a real number therefore; once the Parker hits 3fters offshore the fuel economy and all goes out the window.


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[swatski]

"Training" my autopilot to track inside the channel...




There is enough glow even after dark, but getting caught in fog is scary around here.

 

[Betik]

View attachment 154058

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Hellas Avatar ? Cousin Demetri won’t stop for Zeus himself. He thinks auntie conceived with Poseidon.

 

[Farmdog267]

Boat looks great! We launch in shark river and go out for fluke a few miles north of the inlet, maybe I'll see ya out there!

 

[swatski]

Boat looks great! We launch in shark river and go out for fluke a few miles north of the inlet, maybe I'll see ya out there!

Yes, please let me tag along (I'll bring you cases of beer or whatever you want) - my fluke season is zero keepers, and I generally suck at it so far.
I also want to find some good spots for porgies, as we will have family visiting with kids/nephews etc. and I would love for them to catch something.

We were more successful (relatively speaking) earlier in the season with striper, but that was trolling the raritan bay with locally made bucktails - awesome. Meanwhile, my bottom fishing/jigging game is pathetic. I haven;t done it in over 20 years, and no - it is not like riding a bike, lol.

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[swatski]

The shear size of some the vessels entering the Port of NY is mesmerizing, to me.

The other night I was watching this guy through binocs, seemed like it barely fit under the Verrazano-Narrows bridge; as I closed in, it became obvious how tall this ship is.






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[zipper]

The shear size of some the vessels entering the Port of NY is mesmerizing, to me.

The other night I was watching this guy through binocs, seemed like it barely fit under the Verrazano-Narrows bridge; as I closed in, it became obvious how tall this ship is.
View attachment 154708

View attachment 154709

View attachment 154714

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You won't see that on the Meramec.

 

[jlcj7]

The shear size of some the vessels entering the Port of NY is mesmerizing, to me.

The other night I was watching this guy through binocs, seemed like it barely fit under the Verrazano-Narrows bridge; as I closed in, it became obvious how tall this ship is.
View attachment 154708

View attachment 154709

View attachment 154714

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Wow. That is crazy

 

[jlcj7]

I wonder what that ships purpose is. Not cargo but still huge.

 

[NewBoater]

Congrats but is the pilot house crooked? lol