I picked up my new Q5i SF on 6/22, and put her in the water for the first time on 6/28 where it stayed until 7/5. I didn't get an hour meter in as I had planned, but would estimate 15 to 20 hours of actual run time. First impression - What a BLAST!!! But, I do already have some questions that I'm hoping you all may be able to help me out...
1. My impression was that I didn't take on much water. However, I did need to use the bilge a few times. The water that pumped out had a cloudy/white appearance initially, then by the end of the week was sort of just slightly soapy looking. Could this be some sort of release agent used when forming the hull?
2. Slow speed maneuverability was fair to poor. In no wake zones between lakes, it required an awful lot of left & right correction to maintain my weak attempt at a straight course. Normal? Is this one of the issues that trim tabs fixes?
3. Higher speeds, say starting at ~40 mph GPS indicated, I get a good bit of porposing (accompanied by a good bit of hull noise which I found alarming at first). Is that just a learning curve thing where I'll need to figure out what to do with the trim? I hope it is not normal.
4. I had to stand up a lot while driving the thing to comfortably see. I do not have the "Drivers seat w/bolster". Is that option the type of seat where the front part flips back to give the driver more of an upright seating position? Any clue if that is something I could order after the fact, although I would guess that would be big $$$.
5. Any general maintenence/care suggestions would be welcomed. I've never owned this nice of a boat before, and I'd like to keep it like new for as long as possible.
Reviews and general comments on my add-ons...
I got the iPilot for the trolling motor. That thing was fricken awesome. However, the actuators for steering the Minn Kota Powerdrive V2 (not really part of the iPilot addition) were really loud. If you have to steer, I'm thinking you're not going to sneak up on any fish.
I purchased the Prism custom cover from iBoats. I have a 2013 boat, and ordered the 2012 boat's cover (as 2013 wasn't shown as available). Fits like a glove, although the reinforcements for the areas like the boarding ladder are slightly off - but I doubt that has anything to do with the 2013/2012 thing. Trailered for 1200+ miles with the trailer straps, no issues. It seems like a great cover. Probably will add some reinforcement material at the correct spots though.
I got a Lowrance HDS-5 and the Navtronics Hot Maps Platinum for my area. The charting is excellent; however, the fish finder doesn't seem to be anything special. If one of the less costly units does the GPS chart/map thing, I probably should have gone with that. Or, maybe I just need to use it more and learn it's features.
I'm sure there is more I could say - and I definaltely have more questions, but I think this post is already getting too long. So, I'll cut it off here.
Thanks for any input on any of the five questions posed above.
1. My impression was that I didn't take on much water. However, I did need to use the bilge a few times. The water that pumped out had a cloudy/white appearance initially, then by the end of the week was sort of just slightly soapy looking. Could this be some sort of release agent used when forming the hull?
2. Slow speed maneuverability was fair to poor. In no wake zones between lakes, it required an awful lot of left & right correction to maintain my weak attempt at a straight course. Normal? Is this one of the issues that trim tabs fixes?
3. Higher speeds, say starting at ~40 mph GPS indicated, I get a good bit of porposing (accompanied by a good bit of hull noise which I found alarming at first). Is that just a learning curve thing where I'll need to figure out what to do with the trim? I hope it is not normal.
4. I had to stand up a lot while driving the thing to comfortably see. I do not have the "Drivers seat w/bolster". Is that option the type of seat where the front part flips back to give the driver more of an upright seating position? Any clue if that is something I could order after the fact, although I would guess that would be big $$$.
5. Any general maintenence/care suggestions would be welcomed. I've never owned this nice of a boat before, and I'd like to keep it like new for as long as possible.
Reviews and general comments on my add-ons...
I got the iPilot for the trolling motor. That thing was fricken awesome. However, the actuators for steering the Minn Kota Powerdrive V2 (not really part of the iPilot addition) were really loud. If you have to steer, I'm thinking you're not going to sneak up on any fish.
I purchased the Prism custom cover from iBoats. I have a 2013 boat, and ordered the 2012 boat's cover (as 2013 wasn't shown as available). Fits like a glove, although the reinforcements for the areas like the boarding ladder are slightly off - but I doubt that has anything to do with the 2013/2012 thing. Trailered for 1200+ miles with the trailer straps, no issues. It seems like a great cover. Probably will add some reinforcement material at the correct spots though.
I got a Lowrance HDS-5 and the Navtronics Hot Maps Platinum for my area. The charting is excellent; however, the fish finder doesn't seem to be anything special. If one of the less costly units does the GPS chart/map thing, I probably should have gone with that. Or, maybe I just need to use it more and learn it's features.
I'm sure there is more I could say - and I definaltely have more questions, but I think this post is already getting too long. So, I'll cut it off here.
Thanks for any input on any of the five questions posed above.
