[truckingeorgia79]

Finally got to take my 1994 Talari 200 w/350 Mag out on the water today. It was awesome. The 5.7L ran like a top. We were out for about 2 hours just going through the paces. It has been about 5 years since I have been in a boat (never owned one until now). All was going great, saw dolphins running in front of us just off the bow. Turned away to go down another channel then all of a sudden I hear the engine start to bog down. I look behind us and see muddy water coming up. Yup I hit a sand bar. Luckily all I had to do was raise the outdrive, put it in reverse and back out at idle speed. Decided to go back to the dock after that. Now all I need to do is get a depth gauge. Oh, and I also have to clean out the speedo pickup because after the sand bar my speedo quit working. Lets hope for a better second run.

[mikeyt]

Congrats. I'm glad to hear the boat ran well on its maiden voyage! Now if the captain would only stay off the sandbars....

[rajjneef]

Watch your temp gauge closely for a while. That sand gets sucked up and blocks the flow of water to the engine as well.

[truckingeorgia79]

@ rajjneef, didn't think about that. After we got away from the sandbar i did look at all the gauges and everything seemed normal.

[DCB_MINDED]

I did something similar on my first time out. I went through a spot that I had been over numerous times in other boats, but I didn't take into account how deep my fat girl floats..... luckily I was idling, and no damage was done! Glad the boat runs well! Happy boating!

[theeasynine]

Glad you were able to get off the sandbar.
I'm getting a little spring fever about getting out for the first time of the year. It has been a mild Illinois winter.

[truckingeorgia79]

I live in Savannah, Ga. So we can go out almost any time of the year. But we do have a 6-9 ft. tide shift every 6 hrs. That is why I hit the sandbar. It won't happen again, I just bought a Chartplotter/ Sounder. Definitely a must down here.

[DCB_MINDED]

Originally Posted by truckingeorgia79

I live in Savannah, Ga. So we can go out almost any time of the year. But we do have a 6-9 ft. tide shift every 6 hrs. That is why I hit the sandbar. It won't happen again, I just bought a Chartplotter/ Sounder. Definitely a must down here.

It's been a mild winter here in SC as well.... I'm getting the spring fever! Pulled er out yesterday to do some maintenance on the trailer....

[rayzorback]

Talk about spring fever.......... I can't wait to get my new (to me) boat out on the water! Been mild here in Arkansas this winter too, but don't want to re-winterize as it is just the middle of February. Spring will get here soon enough, but I am really ready to get her out.

[Threejakes]

It appears like we all are anxious to get on the water.This is the hardest time of the year. It will be about 6 or 7 weeks until we get our boat out of storage! It will come soon enough--now is not the time to guess the weather and jump the gun. Usually the first week in April is the time to bring out the boat and have the ceremonial first cruise--at least here in north central Illinois.