Visited my boat at the factory. w/pictures

pijon · 03-16-2006, 06:13 PM

Okay the boat is covered with that light fiberglass dust. It is not clean but I never clean up till I am done making a mess either.

Lets be honest, the south end of an Arima is a bit odd but functional.

Even on blocks this boat is tall!

I wanted to sit in it but the dust was everywhere.

that thing in the middle is something housemouse insisted on. Over 50k to get housemouse to go fishing more often. Worth every penny! The tank in the front is for fresh water washdown. I have no clue where the hose is!

Two baitwell pumps, the baitwells are also insulated! And the intake for the raw water washdown and hoses from the fishbox drains.

Housemouse's corner.

Housemouse's fishbox!

Pijon's fishbox, usually smaller fish!

The dark area is the unfinished anchor well. I am getting a custom oversize anchorwell so I can stuff the anchor and several hundred feet of rope in there.

I got some of that dust on the lense.

A 22 soft top getting ready to leave the factory.
I plan to drop by tomorrow or monday and take a few more pics. It should be leaving the factory any day now.
I drop by unannounced about once a week and they are great. they let me climb all over the boat and get that dust all over me! The guys actually doing the work are great also.
Do I sound excited! I can still get to sleep but don't know how long that will last.

Housemouse with her typical fish. "a king" and somebody hiding his face with a much smaller fish.

ReelAttitude · 03-16-2006, 06:24 PM

very nice, you must be excited

tomictime · 03-16-2006, 06:36 PM

Nice :smile

)
think about double hose clamps on all those below water line hoses :smile:

JD

tailwind · 03-16-2006, 06:37 PM

Love the looks of those Arimas.

Super Fluke · 03-16-2006, 06:41 PM

Nice fish and boat.

Hooked on Fish · 03-16-2006, 06:50 PM

Pijon, I'm excited for you. It's really cool to see your boat coming together. Many happy fishing trips to you and yours.

pijon · 03-16-2006, 06:59 PM

I have thought about the double hose clamps.Thanks! One of those first projects when the boat gets to my garage. The boat has 3 bilge pumps, but the total is 1500 gph One foward which is automatic and two aft. I am going to add the biggest one I can fit in the well also. There was an article posted last year about how much pumping power it really takes for a typical boat and 1500 is not enough. I am thinking 3000 minimum would be better. I have two batteries and available amps plays a big part in pumping the boat out. Would reccommend everyone read that article on bilge pumps if someone can find it.
I had the close call last year when my old boat sprung a leak and the single (dumb,real dumb) pump decided to quit.
Never again!

PC Tumbleweed · 03-16-2006, 07:22 PM

What kind of power?

pijon · 03-16-2006, 07:34 PM

I ordered the boat with a 200 honda. I expect about 40 on flat water. Probly more like 20 or less in the salt. also have an 8 yamaha 4 stroke kicker that I bought two seasons ago. Won't be color coordinated but I need the kicker for holding the boat on anchor sturgeon fishin in the wind. The arima does catch the wind. One of those hull design tradeoffs.
I am not excited, just chain smokin, coffee drinkin by the quart and can't stop dropping by the factory to look!
I feel sorry for the dealer when he starts rigging! "can I help"? "can I stand around and hand you tools or somethin'?

Reel Creel · 03-16-2006, 08:07 PM

tomictime · 03-16-2006, 08:09 PM

Keep looking over the shoulders :smile: esp w riggers, every hole they drill should be bedded.
Nice boat, really nice. Where you going to splash it? I can arrange for some ramp time if it is the right w/e. I live West of you.

Jim

My Limit · 03-16-2006, 08:28 PM

22 Arimas are great boats!! You will love it!!

My Limit · 03-16-2006, 08:31 PM

Also, Arima has top notch customer service. I've owned tons of Arimas.

I now own a 22' Sea Sport. I can't say I'm impressed with SeaSport's Factory Customer Service. They only return phone messages about 25% of the time and some of the guys give you the feeling you are bugging them. The new SeaSport owners need to wake up and get a clue. Customer service is huge.

Not so at Arima. You can talk with Don the President or Belinda the brains behind the operation anytime.

I may regret my turning traitor against Arima buy purchasing another Washington boat.

Enjoy!!

ML

pijon · 03-16-2006, 08:37 PM

I am planning to make first water on lake washington. Maybe 2-3 weekends from now. I haven't broke in a honda 4 stroke before so I don't know what is involved. I followed the yamaha manual to the letter with a watch on my 115 and it still runs strong with over 2000 hours. Bought that motor in 1988.
So I will spend the time and follow the honda manual to the letter also. I am not a mechanic so I just follow the book.
I live in covington, so you are probly close by. Pm me tomorrow as I am about to hit the hay and we can maybe get together. I am not sure about the delivery date as the boat hasn't left the factory and the rigger/dealer has already cried on my shoulder about how busy things are and how he has two of his people in school etc, etc. Its okay, he's a good guy, just a victim of his own success. And I don't really want them to hurry anyway. I want to go fishin, but I want it done correctly also. I am patient. I will just play with my gear some more and keep collecting more stuff for the new boat!

pijon · 03-16-2006, 08:43 PM

I looked at the seasports with wanting eyes. The 24 was just out of my budget. They got to have the worlds largest fish boxes!
There is an arima owners group website that is monitored by Belinda at Arima. I am sure you know of it.When questions come up there is a factory rep with the answers. Real impressive.

Spoonplugger · 03-17-2006, 04:27 AM

SWEET!!!

Onokai · 03-17-2006, 08:49 AM

Looks like Arima is building better boats now-as they have adressed a few problem areas. That larger anchor well was one of them-acess to the bilge pump was another. The one thing you also may want to ask for is extra thick fish box covers as every Arima I have been on has flexing too lite fishbox covers..
Your boat looks great. Mark

Something Good · 03-17-2006, 10:02 AM

Looks like a great ride!

pijon · 03-17-2006, 10:05 AM

The covers seem to be fine, but I am only 180lbs. Some of my fishin mates may be testing the strength of those however. I specifically asked for the larger anchor box. It is not listed as an option, but they have done a few that way now as customers ask for them. The access to the bilge is not a problem on the 22 since the tank is in the floor, It is still an issue with the 21. I really liked the looks of the 21 better but the 22 is better suited to my needs and desires.

ArimaRees · 03-17-2006, 03:23 PM

I'm excited for you too !! I may get mine out this sunday ,conditions are looking good.No flex in my fish box covers your going to love it. Rees

pijon · 03-17-2006, 05:01 PM

See what you did Rees! Do you know how much money it has cost me taking that ride in your boat! I am ruined! ruined! and I haven't even started buying tuna gear yet!
But once again, thank you very much for taking a stranger for a ride in your boat and a great day of fishing!
I dropped by the factory again today and they have the canvas and side curtains installed. I took some more pics but the deep blue canvas didn't show very well. The only thing left I think is the inwhale cushions and some head liner over the anchor well. Have a safe trip this sunday! Sounds like a lot of the ifish people are having the same thoughts.

El-Kabong · 03-17-2006, 05:10 PM

Pijon,

congrats on the new Arima!!!! I have a 19 now and want a bigger one. One suggestion I have is that if you ever intend to replace the front anchor guide with an anchor roller, have them install an access hatch into the anchor rope box. (they might already have done this) but with mine I had to cut and install my own. Not a hard thing to do, but they will have the right tool and could do this is a second.

Congrats Again

EK

My Limit · 03-17-2006, 08:38 PM

I had an extra large box on my 21 Arima for the anchor rope and it had a hatch. This was a factory request and took away about 5" of leg room for sleeping, but not really a big deal.

As far as the Arima fish box lids flexing due to the thickness of fiberglass that's not true. I've owned at least 8 Arimas and the only thing that makes them flex is if you have an old one where the hinges are worn out and loose. Then you will get more movement and flex than is desireable. The reason that happens is the hinges in an odd place almost in the middle of a bait lid which rests on molded fiberglass. When those hinges wear out they will flex and give you the sensation that the fiberglass is flexing.

The fix for this has nothing to do with thickness and everything to do with replacing those hinges every 20 years. I've only had that problem on 20 year old boats and I weigh 220 and my friends all weigh more.

Also the bilge pumps should all be accessable throuh an access hatch on the rear portion of the furthest back fishbox. If there is not one on your boat they can be requested or added later. If there is not access there you should be able to reach your bilge via a hole or inspection plate near the rear fuel tank on older models.

Arimas are extremely well thought out boats that are easy to maintain and use.

Yes the 24 Sea Sports are nice. I did not have a truck big enough to pull one or a RV pad big enough to park it. 22 was my limit. The fish boxes are enormous. Each box is as big or bigger than those huge coolers. I just finished puttting in a macerator pump for the fish boxes.

Enjoy your boat!

ML

pijon · 03-18-2006, 12:18 AM

There are access hatches in both fish boxes for the bilge pumps. I am still going to add one big one in the back. That will give me 4.
I had the same issue with towing. My van will barely tow the Arima, but I am buying a friends RV with the 460 ford soon as I close on the boat. The seasport would never fit my garage. We are going to have to put in a larger door for the arima as it is but that is not a major issue. One of my mates is in the door business.
I have been looking for a few years and actually overlooked the Arimas. Seasport, Triton, Seaswirl, Proline, were all on my short list. What swayed me was $3.00 a gallon gas. The sticker price and the ability to fit my garage. Its all a trade off, I can't run as fast as the deeper v boats, but I will burn a bit less fuel.

Double G · 03-18-2006, 08:15 AM

Pijon I share your excitement. I have a 17 Sea Chaser that just barely fits in my garage. If I swing a larger home then I'll opt for a larger boat. I've loved my Arima as well as the great customer support. One question; doesn't the 22 foot model have scuppers?

KChookem · 03-18-2006, 09:11 AM

Congratulations Pijon & Mrs. Housemouse ...

Here is the link to the info that "USCGBoating" posted in 2005... Bilge Pump Rating . Thanks USCG !

The folks at Arima are the definition of Customer Service ! I've called them several times with goofy questions, and they come through everytime.

That reverse transom may look funny, and can pose a problem with mounting a kicker bracket, but it sure works good when backing into current or seas!

Enjoy!

pijon · 03-18-2006, 11:51 AM

Yes, the 22 has scuppers. Real nice for washing down a days fishing mess.
I am going to google and try to find the article on bilge pumps and batteries. It kind of spelled out how inadequate the typical installed bilge pump systems are in the event of a thru hull failure or some other day ruining problem.

Having had a pump failure and a large leak on the same trip ( very scary!) I am probably overly concerned with pumping the water out of the people tank. The Triton 2690 (A real good lookin boat)has twin 1750 pumps installed and from what I remember from the article, that was about minimum for that size boat. When I find the article I will start another thread. Or maybe someone else remembers the article also.

Waytogo · 03-19-2006, 09:19 AM

Congrats to you & Yours--I purchased my legend 22 in aug. 1999, and have never regretted it.I have the 130 Honda on mine( only 4stroke available at that time with enough power). It does fine, I have no kicker as I felt they are in the way.and the 130 will troll slower than I troll.I have been out as far as 60 miles after tuna and have encountered plenty of seas that I don't have time to relate here but the Arima handles all in great fashion. Good luck and tight lines to you, I know you will love the Arima.---Mike-- thewaytogo.

KChookem · 03-19-2006, 03:11 PM

Pijon...

Is your fuel tank under the floor, or back at the transom/motor well? How many gallons is the tank?

pijon · 03-19-2006, 03:56 PM

The tank is 106 gallons and under the floor. One of the major selling points in my case. But I have spent so much on toys lately I may need a loan to fill the tank.