The decision was made to take the newly acquired CVZ-18 for some new owner trials. Figured that having a second boat, my CVX16-SS with Tim driving would help to cover any failings of either craft. Was hoping the not bring either back to the dock on a tow line would be the ultimate success, but that was not to be. We plumbed an electric fuel pump and filter between the tank and the mechanical fuel pump on the 16SS, and it showed that the fuel pump is in fact, in need of rebuilding or replacement. The SS ran quite well for a day at a local overcrowded lake, but when you live in Ohmygawd Nebraska, there isn’t much choice to be had. Now on the CVZ-18. She started and ran OK, but could not get on plane, seemed to do nothing but "Wheelies", tried every possible position of the drive with limited success. Full throttle, then hold on, and eventually it would plane out. Felt like a car with no traction. Once on plane, it seemed to handle OK, but the steering acts like a tooth or two is missing. Tim and I decided to head over to the party cove area, really just a shallow part of the lake, not really a cove at all(another Council Bluffs/Midwest thing I guess) to take of that silly whale tail thingy and see if things improved. Went to leave, engine started right up, but would die shortly after putting it in drive. Could restart it, but as soon as you went to give it fuel in drive, it would die. Ended up having to tow the CVZ in with the CVX. I guess sometimes you’re the tow-er, and sometimes your the tow-ee? Was kind of relaxing to sit in the front of the CVZ and enjoy the tow. Had a few boats try to pass between us, until they realized it was a towing situation. Yep it was that crowded. Finally got the boats back to the trailers, pulled the plugs, not a drop from the CVX, the CVZ however, drained water for 20 minutes. Maybe part of the issue with inability to plane out? Looking at leaky bellows, bad impeller, broken driver’s seat, and steering issues before next trip out.
