. . . I ordered a boat in FL this past January and I finally got to go down and see her before I have to drive down next Saturday, hook her up and tow here back up here. I'll tell ya, it is tough having to wait 5 months and buying a boat unseen and having never even ridden on one but I have been fortunate to have been able to ride on so many boats of varying sizes/weights/deadrises to know what to expect and also to have heard nothing but good things about the boat to make the decision/purchase.

I got to the Factory Saturday morning and was in awe of all the boats they had in various stages of production then I finally got to see mine, there were angelic voices singing "Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" and a nice white light appearing behind the boat, she was incredible, months of staring at pictures and there she was, finally, right in front of me.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/thundra04struck/truelove.jpg

The starry eyed-ness could not last long as we were there to survey and make sure all was well or not well so they could have time to sort out any flaws/anything I did not like on the boat. My Dad and I found nothing on the hull or the bracket/tabs/engine. I climbed aboard and was so happy at how big the inside was, it was bigger than I had imagined and what others would say about it, happiness all around. Nothing I didn't need was in the boat at all. My guages/tab controls/throttle/helm where exactly where I wanted them.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/thundra04struck/LeaningPostConsoleFinished.jpg

Like I mentioned earlier, I have been able to run so many and my own boat that I knew what I wanted where and what worked and what doesn't and being able to lay it all out where I wanted it was something special.

After my Dad and I concluded that all was well and the only 3 things of very minor concern were adressed, them being;

1. the bowrail was not yet on,
2. the all-round light was low as I had the console rail and the windshield lowered so I don't have to deal with any glare while running at night as it is on a mount on the rail and just needs a longer pole,

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/thundra04struck/anchorlight.jpg

3. the anchor locker hatch came right off the hinge and would not stay on it but needless to say was that they would take care of all these very minor issues.

I did not get to water-test it because I was advised by another owner to wait until pick up to make sure it is not "Ferris Bueller-ed" before I get there as I am dying to hear the motor run and more immediate, I want to feel the thing under my feet. It will be about a week before we get in the truck and begin the 1,500 mile drive down and the 1,500 mile tow back, but one thing is for sure, this spring/summer/fall are going to be awesome, even if boat fish don't matter a fishes arse.

After the trip to the factory, we visited the IGFA hall of fame not a few miles away. What a great hall and striped bass were featured in many of the exhibits. Here are a few of the pics I snapped;

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/thundra04struck/IGFAhall.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/thundra04struck/DadIGFA.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/thundra04struck/Tarpon.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/thundra04struck/BlackMarlin.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/thundra04struck/Bluefish.jpg

The replicas/mounts in the place were incredible, every darned one was just a sight to see just short of the real thing. Then there was Outdoor World next door with Bass Pro Shops and they had everything in that store, blew my mind, was like everything in one place. Needless to say it was a great day. We flew out of Boston at 6pm, got there at 1am, slept, went to Factory, IGFA then were back in Boston at 10:30pm Saturday.

In about a week I'll be on my way back down there in the truck. I'm totally excited to say the least. Enjoy gentlemen.

Hey,,, I have been there,,,, You were in Dania Beach,,,,, That place is awesome,,, when I was there years ago they had all the fishing simulators,,,, did you get a chance to see those,,,,, Hope so,,, that is a great trip there,,,, If I was you when you go down for the boat pick it up and keep heading south to Islamorada for a day or two to fish with it,,, it might be your only chance ever to have your boat that far south,,,,,

Nice boat,,,, Good luck with it,,,

Best of luck with the pickup. Boat looks great.

wow, you TOWED that thing all the way from FL? What was the gas bill? :buds:

did you visit the nearby bass pro shop?

Must have been a nice trip to take with your father, I am assuming this, to see the boat. Good luck with it and tight lines Bassturbed.

I haven't gone down to get the boat yet, I'll be leaving next Saturday and will hopefully be there on Monday to pick it up. I have to go to Tampa to get the trailer first, then cross over to Dania to get the boat. The boat won't have any numbers or be registered yet so that is the first problem/issue. I haven't closed on the boat yet so I'd be illegal but for sure I want to go out anywhere down there since I won't have the chance to do it again once it is up here.

The IGFA Hall of Fame is quite a place, a fishermans museum for sure. I did get to see the simulators but didn't try them, watched for a bit but didin't try them.

I'd be happy if they lent me their dealer tag for a few hours just to cruise the canals/intercoastal for a few hours before putting it on the trailer and heading home. The journey back to MA will be a whole 'nother post, after Memorial Day.