out on TN river, breaking in the new boat

[coldfront]

out working on my tan and continuing to break in the new mercury.  ran around the river (rough conditions today) at 4300 - 4500 RPMS in the 37mph - 38mph GPS range.  plenty fast with big standing waves (wind running against heavy current flow)...
any rate, here are the fish pics...  nothing big.  just about 10 in the 2.5 - 3 lb range.  these fish were in really good condition.  big, thick bodies - small heads.  fisheries folks would say 'high Wr values'.

thoughts on boat:  https://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=157142.msg1741919#msg1741919

[No Excuses]

Nice!!

[Capt. BassinLou]

Sweet. What are your impressions of the new boat? I haven't seen you talk about how it fishes for you compared to the previous boat.

[coldfront]

Sweet. What are your impressions of the new boat? I haven't seen you talk about how it fishes for you compared to the previous boat.

LINK to the BOATS section:  https://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=157142.msg1741919#msg1741919

might as well do that here, now:
1.  LOVE LOVE LOVE the Ultrex 112.  thing just chews up weeds (except for the primrose!) and didn't have a care in the world out on the river even at 80K cfs current (used to stay off whenever it was over 60K)2.  Enjoying the LARGE 12 inch helix screens.  having fun with the side imaging and the mega 360.  work great, great views and that's before I have them 'dialed in'. spent my time this weekend tossing baits... 
the boat:
1.  moving from a flat bottom (RT 178) to the pad hull:  it's a big step up on ride.  really noticed it on a couple 30 minute runs on the river with whitecaps and those 'standing waves'.  much easier on the back and the kidneys.
2.  the more pointed bow design does compress space up front relative to the older semi-v style which carried more beam forward.  but not tripping over stuff/rods so that is not an issue at all.
3.  the 115 is quick.  figure I'll get what I most wanted:  a boat that I can run at 'less than' WOT and cruise in the 40-45mph range.  Thinking that will likely be right at 5000 RPMs.  WOT max RPM has been 6300-6400 during those 'one-minute' go big or go home engine break in exercises.
4.  hydraulic jackplate:  really enjoying ability to run it UP when idling into and out of shallow water.5.  COIN BOX! 

boat is stable.  dry when running INTO the wind/waves (nothing is dry in 20mph wind/2 foot waves or better while quartering).  no annoying hull slap.  good blow in foam floatation.
do find that the cockpit area is relatively small and more challenging to move about.  not a lot of room for additional things... like a cooler or a buddies tackle bag...  (especially if they carry, pack theirs like I used to do with mine!)


a few things, small things that I'll get dealers to address at the 20 hour check:
1.  trim guage:  not calibrated properly.  fully trimmed UP shows at 25% on the guage.
2.  electrical wiring attachment came loose in the port side storage compartment.
3.  need to change out the trailer jack.  my driveway is steep.  I need to run the jack all the way up to the top just to clear the hitch.  as someone with OCD I can tell you that is 120 cranks from top to bottom.  I need to manually push/manipulate the boat to get it 'in' the garage and it's best to do that with the jack as close to all the way down as possible.
here's a quick look.  side by side comparison.  the Vexus is a larger boat, but doesn't necessarily look it in the photo.