Launch of Erica
24 March 2005

The engine is a 330hp 5.7 litre Chev V8 with Vortec heads. Velvet Drive Transmission, and heat exchangers to help with the Aussie salt water. I made molds for the deck fittings out of pine and had them cast and chromed. My wife and I ended up doing the upholstery ourselves for the bench seats, and did not a bad job, particularly for the family / kid / dog rides.

Put her in... turned the key... slowly put the foot down... Success! What an amazing feeling. Only encountered a very small water leak, but a plumber friend soon worked out the problem (never clamp your O rings on with the joins facing the same way). We zoomed around for about 4 hours that day - there were tears, laughter and champagne all round.

Since that day Erica has run 30 hours. She has been in the local Newspaper, been shown off at boat festivals, taken enthusiasts out for a spin, made heads turn on the freeway. I have enjoyed every part of the process, from beginning to end.