New Sea Captain of the SS Shark Bait!

Mike Phillips · 06-23-2011, 06:30 AM

New Sea Captain of the SS Shark Bait!

Thought I would share a few vacation pictures...

This is a view out the back of the boat as we're leaving a small boat launch behind one of our local restaurants called Finz which is a seafood restaurant just down the road from Autogeek.

This is my son Rand manning the helm... his favorite thing to do so far is get past the speed limit buoys and then shove the throttle down as far as it will go...

And this is the Stuart Inlet which opens up into the Atlantic Ocean...

Hard to know how many young men and ladies have learned to drive a boat over the 44 years in this 1967 Starline Deville but my guess is more than a few and besides being a lot of fun to take out fishing or snorkeling everywhere we take it we get nice compliments about the condition of the boat.

This boat has a 120 horsepower Iron Duke, which is a in-line 4 cylinder car engine mated to a Mercruiser outdrive. It actually gets really good gas mileage and purrs like a kitten.

The boat didn't come with the Bimini Top originally, we added that while we were still out in California but it's a life saver here in sunny Stuart, Florida.

Besides learning how to navigate a boat Rand is also leaning how to maintain the boat including detailing because after a day of boating fun you have to flush the engine with fresh water to help prevent the rust and corrosion and then you have to wipe all the salt spray off the hull and windshield as it gets everywhere with the wind and the waves.

Yesterday we saw 2-3 Sharks in the water plus a couple of Manatees. We're guessing these were sharks as the dorsal fins were triangular or A-shaped with little curve to them, kind of eerie looking.

Next up is a big breakfast then hook up the boat and back on the water!

**Porsche Pilot** · 06-23-2011, 06:37 AM

Rand looks right at home! A natural. I have gone out and into that inlet hundreds of times when I patrolled there in the Coast Guard many years ago. Good to see it again. Great share of a beautiful day Mike!

**RTexasF** · 06-23-2011, 07:23 AM

Are you able to trim the outdrive or just tilt it up? As I recall it was tilt only.

**Jokeman** · 06-23-2011, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by RTexasF

Are you able to trim the outdrive or just tilt it up?

Looks like it is hydraulic. I know some folks use straps on the outdrive for extra support when towing.

**Pats300zx** · 06-23-2011, 07:29 AM

Great stuff Mike. Love the boat and the view !!!

**Flash Gordon** · 06-23-2011, 07:45 AM

Cool pics

been wondering where you've been

**RTexasF** · 06-23-2011, 07:52 AM

One other question please sir.........do you run a lead substitute in the fuel or is it happy on unleaded? It's really nice that you and your boy are able to spend some time together with your wicked work schedule.

**CEE DOG** · 06-23-2011, 07:53 AM

Good to see you're having a great time Mike!! And thanks for sharing with the rest of us.

**LegacyGT** · 06-23-2011, 10:01 AM

Very cool Mike, my wife and I ate at Finz while we were at Detail Fest, good food, and the Key Lime pie was excellent!

I hope you both are having a great vacation

**dreamps** · 06-23-2011, 10:15 AM

that's awesome mike! in NJ you have to be 16 to drive a boat and have to take a test to get your boater's license. that's great that your son gets to drive at a young age and learn! engine looks good!