Ski-Boat May 2019

ness of the trim hydraulics to building in a six-day cooler box for bait and ice; from easy access to the water separators, fuel shut-off valves and fuel tanks to angler safety while fighting a fish and, most importantly, ease of movement around the deck and passenger comfort.

Next the external joining of the new and old hulls had to take place, a technique that requires serious attention to detail. This is the other side of the join which sandwiches the old hull into the new construction and completes the structural integrity of the entire hull.

Finally came the hanging of the engines, a pair of 150hp Mercury SeaPro outboards with 19” pitch Revolution 4, stainless steel props. They are fitted with a complete array of Smartcraft gauges to monitor everything about the engines, including the rate of fuel flow so important with todays prices. In support, the new ActiveTrim system was installed to enhance the fuel efficiency. Then came the Garmin touchscreen network supporting the plotter, radar, AIS and engines through the NMEA 2000 backbone. Icom radios and a Hyteria Kavicom completed the communications part of the electronics.

After months of work and a massive amount of learning in every aspect, Jabulani was finally complete. Now for the biggest question of all — would she be what I had envisioned, or would she be the biggest disappointment of my life?

Towing her was a breeze and she felt no heavier than she was before reconstruction. Launching her was just like the old days, and there we were floating; and she immediately felt different — sturdier and more comfortable. A slow ride through the harbour area while we checked and double checked the integrity of the construction, the pumps, fittings and electronics, and all felt good. Then came the real test — acceleration and ride.

The only words I could mutter were “this is insane”. She was on the plane within a few metres and flying along at over 40 knots within seconds with finger-light steering, it was insane. To say I’m ecstatic would be an understatement; Jabulani turned out way better than I could have wished for.

At just over one mile per litre for both engines and 26 knots at 3 300 rpm, I have never seen a 26-foot boat perform like she does. Motoring around Cape Point and head-on into a 4-metre swell with 15 knots of wind is not for the faint hearted, but she felt extremely safe and capable. With the improved bow control, she rode perfectly dry at a steady 18 knots into the sea with only the occasional bump. Drifting side-on to the sea with a slow roll and no jerking was a pleasure, and a turn into or with the swells was effortless. Finally, during a run at 24 knots with a 4-metre swell, over the top and down the front, she ran true with no broaching or lagging.

Then back into the calmer waters we went to see how she handled tight turns, and find the rpm at wide open throttle to check whether we had selected the correct pitch props. At 18 knots she turned a circle twice her length which, although quite intimidating, was impressive. The Quicksilver Revolution 4 props bit deep into the water and showed no sign of cavitation. As for the wide-open throttle, when we reached 52 knots with still quarter throttle to go, we decided it would be best to slow down. The propping will have to wait for a perfectly flat day.

Would I do it all again? You bet! The pleasure and result I achieved from the project prompted me to open Down South Marine, a workshop where we repair and rebuild boats, service outboard engines, and supply and fit marine electronics. We are an authorised dealer and service centre for Mercury outboards.

60 • SKI-BOAT May/June 2019