We've splashed, done our first five day trip and I just got back to our home slip after a five hour solo drive.
The boat is everything I hoped and more, it's sturdy and very easy to handle in heavy seas.
The engine on the other hand is problematic. It doesn't get up to full rpm (and the tach isn't working) and can't handle the alternator belt and forward gear at the sane time. On top of it all it leaks diesel and oil like an old Harley.
But I've got a mechanic on hold and a bunch of new parts coming. I'll post a real update with time in the near future. Thank you everyone for all the help through the years!