I didnt feel like going back to find my thread so this is a new post. This was shot the weekend of June 11-14 2009 our first real trip with the boat 99% done about 100 nm round trip from Shelton Ct to Essex CT. The boat ran awesome I put Pertronics in on Wed night before we left. You can't tell from the video but in the first part they were about 4 to 5s with some 6 and 7s thrown in. I could only run about 8-9 knots in that but on the way home the three Sea Rays running with us could'nt keep up with me running 2900 rpm 23.5 knots. Filled up again Monday, fuel burn was 7.5 gph each engine. I will post some more pictures of the progress soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WjaUkN-8hE

Don Hancock
FXA 31 2074 H

Don:
Congratulations! You are an inspiration to us all and you have really helped me with your posts. Thanks so much! I am really glad to see the Ducktales on the water and running with those beautiful engines. The video is awsome with yall running in the heavy water. Ducktales was really throwing up the rooster tails in the clip. It must have been exhilerating! This is what the commanders were made for.

Also noted the Searay getting batted about in the clip. And seeing Ducktales up on the plane just gives me more determination to finish Summer Palace. Send more.
Thanks, Don. Well Done.
Jerry

Hi Don,

Very nice work on the video, GREAT work on the boat, and it sure is good to see you out fully enjoying all the work you put into her. Doing the work yourself, you know exactly what you have in the way of equipment, finish, reliability, etc., and there is a lot to be said for that, especially when a guy like you "does it right". At speed that hull looks more like a runabout on a plane, bet it is a lot of fun with the added power too.

For forum readers who may have missed your restoration thread, here it is (click on the link below to see all the photos):
http://www.network54.com/Forum/424840/message/1202915540













Those of us who have restored boats (your project certainly a lot bigger than mine) know of all the work it takes, of course. However, it is fun to see the impression others have when they come aboard, seeing the boat ownner dressed in comfortable clothes with a cold beverage, and they must think we're living the life of total luxury and lesiure, preoccupied with spider droppings and little more, ha ha. Little did they really know all of the blood, sweat, tears, (and cash) it takes to pull something like this off.

In the end you have a great looking classic Commander that not only LOOKS the part, it has more than enough power to back it up. Good job Don, and thanks again (and again) for sharing your photos and tech info with us. As Jerry just noted, this kind of info is shared with others who benefit from it, and these kinds of threads serve as an inspiration to others to do the same. Jerry is not far behind, we all wish him luck. Good luck to you as well, as you enter your first full season of fun with DUCKTALES.

Regards, best,

Paul

Hi Don,

I did a screen print from your video to get the image below, DUCKTALES running at speed like a runabout.



Then with a little tweaking, the image started to take on the character of a romantic nautical painting!


Sure looks like fun,

Paul

Man:
If I could paint like that I wouldn't be an economist! Paul, now see if you can turn it into a paint by the numbers kit. You will be a millionaire for sure!
Jerry