SoCal Jet Boats

Discussion => Boat Showcase => Topic started by: Flusher on December 29, 2013, 07:09:56 PM

Title: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Flusher on December 29, 2013, 07:09:56 PM
Hello, I am Joe Ratcliff from the IE.  I have been a long-time lurker and I know my introduction is long overdue, but here it is.

I have owned or been involved with several boats over the years, none of which were particularly notable.  Now, I have what I consider to by my first “real” boat, a ’91 Hallett 21’ jet day cruiser powered by a blown and injected big block Chevy.  The engine specs are:

Big Block Chevy
 4.250 Bore
 4.000 Stroke
188 Heads
 2.19 / 1.88 Valves Intake / Exhaust
Crane Track Roller Cam / Lifters
 308 / 312 Advertised Duration
 268 / 272 Duration @ .050
.708 Lift Intake / Exhaust
 108* Lobe Centerline
 103* Installed Centerline
Littlefield worked 6-71 blower, overdriven 10.9%
Enderle Mechanical Birdcatcher
Vertex OAC Magneto

I currently have the engine and pump pulled.  I am making some minor engine changes over the winter while installing a rail kit, pump setback and replumbing.  While everything is apart, I am polishing up all of the aluminum and sending it off to Embee for clear coat.

My background -- over the past 27 years I have had the opportunity to work in several top tier machine shops, primarily in machining, welding, and fabrication in the fields of aerospace, instrumentation, molds, tool and die, jigs and fixtures, automotive, and marine.

Currently I teach manufacturing technology at San Bernardino Valley College in the subjects of conventional & CNC machining, SolidWorks, MasterCAM, hydraulics & pneumatics, mechanical drives, and metrology.

It has been a great pleasure meeting some of you at the regattas and NJBA at Lake Ming.  I look forward to meeting more of you and positively contributing here.

Cheers,

Joe
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: 5150whiteboy on December 29, 2013, 07:27:40 PM
Welcome to the family...... Post up some pics we all love pics.


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Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: carrera202 on December 29, 2013, 07:40:57 PM
Welcome to Scjb that's a hell of a background congrats on the float x2 on the pics would love to see it


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Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: More2LifeThanMPG on December 29, 2013, 07:44:42 PM
Welcome! Awaiting pictures...


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Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Flusher on December 29, 2013, 07:57:52 PM
My first day.  My friend, whom I bought it from, delivered it to my shop in Grand Terrace, CA[attachimg=1][attachimg=2][attachimg=3]
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Flusher on December 29, 2013, 08:01:32 PM
Thank you for the warm welcome.  These are from my first day getting wet at Lake Havasu, 3/25/2011[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: HardLuck Baker on December 29, 2013, 08:05:20 PM
Good looking float. Welcome aboard


RoB~SoCalJetBoats~
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Flusher on December 29, 2013, 08:11:28 PM
The best time of my life, Irvine Lake Hot Boat Regatta, October 2011[attachimg=1][attachimg=2][attachimg=3][attachimg=4]
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Flusher on December 29, 2013, 08:13:46 PM
Thank you all for the warm welcome   :)
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: uncleBOBBY on December 29, 2013, 08:35:18 PM
Bitchen cruiser with a nice set up
Welcome aboard brother



SRC
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: ka0tyk on December 29, 2013, 08:39:04 PM
nice ride!  that motor is begging for some polishing.  love the injection setup. 
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Flusher on December 29, 2013, 08:53:01 PM
nice ride!  that motor is begging for some polishing.  love the injection setup.

The blower is currently getting some love.  Littlefield is upgrading it with billet endplates and cover.  The whole thing has been polished by Sihilling Metal Polishing in Santa Ana.  On January 6th, it will all go to Embee for clear coat.  Then back to Littlefield Blowers for assembly.

I am thinking about having the Birdcatcher nickel plated.  Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: rush1 on December 29, 2013, 09:22:47 PM
Sweet ride

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Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Flusher on December 29, 2013, 09:31:31 PM
Sweet ride

Thank you
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Kroggy3771 on December 29, 2013, 10:39:20 PM
Welcome, boats look killer!!!!!


SRC


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Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Flusher on December 29, 2013, 11:11:05 PM
Welcome, boats look killer!!!!!

Thank you
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: BIG JOHNSON on December 30, 2013, 05:44:52 AM
Hallett makes a good boat. Reminds me of my dad's that he had built in 89 that he sold 10 years ago. Happened to see the boat and talked to the third owner last summer at pirate's cove.
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Flusher on January 02, 2014, 01:50:36 PM
nice ride!  that motor is begging for some polishing.  love the injection setup.

Thank you.

That is my New Year's penance.

Here is the polished blower in work with new Littlefield billet bearing plates and cover.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: ron.h on February 25, 2016, 04:59:07 AM
Beautiful float hate to think how much money but wearing a $3 life jacket
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Willow Wog on February 25, 2016, 09:14:48 PM
How are you doing your fuel system? I'm intrigued. It's been topic of conversation a lot in the past and the way I'm seeing yours it "won't work"
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: GT Jets on February 25, 2016, 09:22:25 PM
How are you doing your fuel system? I'm intrigued. It's been topic of conversation a lot in the past and the way I'm seeing yours it "won't work"

Whatcha mean?

GT
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Flusher on February 25, 2016, 11:48:24 PM
How are you doing your fuel system? I'm intrigued. It's been topic of conversation a lot in the past and the way I'm seeing yours it "won't work"

Been hearing, "It won't work" for a long time.

A 3/4NPT bung is installed in the lower rear surface of the left fuel tank.  The mechanical injection return lines return to the top front of the same tank.  Fuel is transferred from the right tank to the left via an electric pump that doubles as the priming circuit.

It is plumbed with -12 from the tank to the pump and everything else is -6.

It has run hard like that since '91.  Drivability is comparable to that of carbs.  It has been reliable and trouble free.
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Flusher on February 26, 2016, 12:02:51 AM
Beautiful float hate to think how much money but wearing a $3 life jacket

Making it to this event cost me thousands of dollars.  When I got there, my nice vest was gone.  My choice was either 1.) Go home or 2.) Wear the cheapie vest.  What would you have done?

Anyway, my 100 MPH jet boat only does 35 MPH.
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: ron.h on February 26, 2016, 03:53:54 AM
 its all good I meant no offense
Title: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: capogniracing on February 26, 2016, 07:29:25 AM
Beautiful float hate to think how much money but wearing a $3 life jacket
sure he had it on as a joke. Better that then nothing


Gimme that BECKY!
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: ron.h on February 26, 2016, 07:32:27 AM
It was a pretty good one the pic beautiful boat $3 life jacket
Title: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: capogniracing on February 26, 2016, 08:04:00 AM
It was a pretty good one the pic beautiful boat $3 life jacket
haha ya if you know joe I'm sure it wasn't his number one choice of jackets


Gimme that BECKY!
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: ron.h on February 26, 2016, 08:06:08 AM
I would love to come and meet everyone but I live in Louisiana and all the events are too far away
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: mash on it on February 26, 2016, 08:07:50 AM
haha ya if you know joe I'm sure it wasn't his number one choice of jackets


Gimme that BECKY!

His Lifeline is not USGC Approved...but this is :screwy:

Dan'l
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: capogniracing on February 26, 2016, 09:31:58 AM

His Lifeline is not USGC Approved...but this is :screwy:

Dan'l
haha ya weird,  that's why I carry a couple of those Walmart jackets  in my boat as well.


Gimme that BECKY!
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: GT Jets on February 26, 2016, 09:48:50 AM
His Lifeline is not USGC Approved...but this is :screwy:

Dan'l

Do you understand why?

It has nothing to do with the quality or testing process.

It's literally because it's not a "one size fits most" deal.

Say you had 5 Lifeline jackets on board and 5 people. There is a better than good chance that every person would require a different size jacket to work properly.

The $3 best works as designed so long as the weight rating is met.

I always thought it was funny, but makes perfect sense. A loose or tight Lifeline would probably drown your ass worse than being without a pfd.

GT

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Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: BoatsNhoes on February 26, 2016, 09:50:24 AM

haha ya weird,  that's why I carry a couple of those Walmart jackets  in my boat as well.


Gimme that BECKY!
yup so do I " you never know you may need to toss one to somebody in an emergency. Just saying"


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Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: mash on it on February 26, 2016, 12:35:37 PM
Do you understand why?

It has nothing to do with the quality or testing process.

It's literally because it's not a "one size fits most" deal.

Say you had 5 Lifeline jackets on board and 5 people. There is a better than good chance that every person would require a different size jacket to work properly.

The $3 best works as designed so long as the weight rating is met.

I always thought it was funny, but makes perfect sense. A loose or tight Lifeline would probably drown your ass worse than being without a pfd.

GT

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I would rather take my chances with a loose (not likely @ 240 lbs) or tight Lifeline than a $3 pfd... :thumbup:

Thanks Glenn

Dan'l
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Flusher on February 26, 2016, 02:17:28 PM
Everywhere I have been, the hater cops give me the complementary body cavity search with an electron microscope.

They always want to see USCG approved PFDs for the quantity matching the rated maximum occupants for my hull, a throwable Type IV device, a fire extinguisher, a sound producing device, and a red flag.  Each time, the PFDs were inspected for the USCG stamp.

Granted, my lost vest was not a Lifeline, but it was a nice properly fitting ski vest.  I make sure that my entire family (and friends) has a properly fitting USCG approved ski vest in addition to those stupid (required) orange things.

Bottom line, I was compliant with USCG regulations and the rules of the event.  And, anybody who was there remembers that I was driving safe and was mindful of my surroundings.  Anyway, my goal was to introduce my daughter to boating and enjoy our time together, not scare her and place her in harm's way by driving like an idiot.

Contrary to popular belief, mechanical injection can have very good part-throttle drivability as does mine.  Someone posted elsewhere, "...your foot controls the speed."  It shouldn't matter if I have my current setup or a poser Mr. Gasket scoop on a 2-barrel carb on top of a peanut-port Pick-a-Part motor.

That was still the best day of my life!
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: ron.h on February 27, 2016, 06:25:10 PM
What are the chances of that life jacket stand on you at 60 miles an hour when you hit the water and if it actually does a hundred that life jacket doesn't stand a chance
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: ron.h on February 27, 2016, 06:25:36 PM
And once again I'm not trying to start anything I just thought it was interesting he was wearing that life jacket in that boat
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: SoCalPSD on February 27, 2016, 06:41:37 PM
And once again I'm not trying to start anything I just thought it was interesting he was wearing that life jacket in that boat



Then why the f.uck you keep bringing it up? He stated his reason, and for christs sake in that same pic theres a pic of his little girl, you really think hes gonna be going f.uckin 100? Let it go dude. And i quote " im not trying to start anything i just thought it was interesting he" wouldnt shut the hell up.
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: ron.h on February 27, 2016, 06:57:20 PM
I can see that a lot of good intelligence out here that there's over 2,000 words in the English language and you can't articulate yourself without using the foul ones
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: SoCalPSD on February 27, 2016, 07:04:37 PM
You wont shut the F.UCK UP about an orange vest after multiple explanations and your gonna insult my intelligence, and to top it off you constantly question Flusher even though he is one of the smartest guys on here?

Whos the stupid one?


And by the way a.ss hole its a proven study that people who tend to cuss generally tend to be more honest than those who dont. Now please, leave flushers thread alone.

Sincerely

The honest ass.hole.
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: capogniracing on February 28, 2016, 12:53:01 PM

You wont shut the F.UCK UP about an orange vest after multiple explanations and your gonna insult my intelligence, and to top it off you constantly question Flusher even though he is one of the smartest guys on here?

Whos the stupid one?


And by the way a.ss hole its a proven study that people who tend to cuss generally tend to be more honest than those who dont. Now please, leave flushers thread alone.

Sincerely

The honest ass.hole.
🙌🏼


Gimme that BECKY!
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Brad @ SCJB on February 28, 2016, 12:57:48 PM
And once again I'm not trying to start anything I just thought it was interesting he was wearing that life jacket in that boat
I think there is some confusion here. The reason he was wearing a life vest is because it was a closed lake event and was required to be worn by the event holders. Irvine lake is normally a fishing only lake.

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Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: GT Jets on March 01, 2016, 08:26:41 AM
And once again I'm not trying to start anything I just thought it was interesting he was wearing that life jacket in that boat

What exactly is your deal?

What jacket do wear that is USCG approved?

GT

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Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: ron.h on March 01, 2016, 08:59:12 AM
Let it go
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: ron.h on March 01, 2016, 09:00:52 AM
I am sorry
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: GT Jets on March 01, 2016, 09:10:40 AM
Let it go


I tried,  the more I thought about the more it irritated me.

No one says a word when an idiot does a WOT blast with no jacket.

Joe is getting criticized for improvising and being responsible.

GT
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: GT Jets on March 01, 2016, 09:12:16 AM
I am sorry

Is all good.

Just hate to see the negative focused on when there was a lot more to the story.

From your friendly neighborhood broke ass boater.

GT
Title: Re: Allow me to introduce myself:
Post by: Bigblockchevy1691 on March 01, 2016, 08:50:33 PM


I tried,  the more I thought about the more it irritated me.

No one says a word when an idiot does a WOT blast with no jacket.

Joe is getting criticized for improvising and being responsible.

GT
can't agree more


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