Finally a launch.

stray · 11 March 2014, 17:05

Finally managed to launch the Bombard 380 Aerotech today.

Unfortunately it was only a short ride.

Between setting up this morning and me and Ballast dragging it down to the beach, the wind picked up and came onshore. Along with a horrible foot and a half short period swell it made launching off the trolly a rather damp and embarrassing affair. Why do you always get a crowd watching wen it isn't going quite right?

Anyway after climbing aboard and getting away from the beach I opened up the Mercury and we where off and planing. The Bombard ride was totally different from the Zodiac, cutting through the chop with hardly a splash, whereas the Zodiac would have been slapping it and soaking us.
After about half a mile straight off, I turned the boat, it looked like there was more white water on the beach and the wind seemed to be freshening even more, so I decided to head straight back in.
Landing was much more professional, because no one was looking. Straight onto the beach, cut engine, hop out and grab the trolly. Back on Terra firma in a few minutes.

Anyway I like the Bombard so much, Ive ordered a set of launch wheels and am considering putting row locks on.

Roll on summer.

Locozodiac · 11 March 2014, 17:16

Nice set up, to avoid embarassing launches untill you have tamed the combo you'll need to launch at night, no one apparently will be watching. BTW which HP engine is powering the Bombaard 380 ?

Happy Boating

stray · 11 March 2014, 17:38

It's the 15hp 2 stroke Mercury I had on the back of the Zodiac. Just had it serviced.

They are always watching round here, it's the local pastime.

Ian M · 11 March 2014, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by stray

They are always watching round here

Not just in your neck of the woods

Festinghouse · 11 March 2014, 18:43

nice set up, though i personally would be after a bigger lump on the back for a bit more fun! where did you launch?

stray · 11 March 2014, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Festinghouse

nice set up, though i personally would be after a bigger lump on the back for a bit more fun! where did you launch?

It's enough for what I need to get me to the fishing, about half a mile past the end of the road.

Too launch, it's the end of the road and left a couple of hundred yards.

Crooty78 · 12 March 2014, 19:55

I've just bought an aerotec too, and I went down to my local slip last Sunday to have a trial run. Big mistake, it was heaving with people because of the sunshine. There was people swimming and everything. Beach was packed, so much so I decided to delay her maiden voyage. Boat and engine are still in my car all ready to go

Deekus · 12 March 2014, 22:27

I had an Aerotec 380/Yam 15hp until last year. Great package to learn with and so much fun.
A tip that I learnt is that if when at full tilt you find some water coming over the transom in to the boat through vigorous splashing, insert a block of wood about two inches thick between the transom and the two engine clamps. This will allow the engine to sit fully clamped but two inches away from the transom, therefore getting rid of any splashing.

It worked with mine

Good luck!

stray · 12 March 2014, 23:26

We're not normally to bad at launching, but it was first time we'd tried to launch off a trolly and the wind and waves weren't playing fair.

We didn't get any splash over as such, I'd set the outboard on the second tilt and it seems fine.

Boatnomad · 13 March 2014, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by stray

considering putting row locks on

Always a useful thing to have, all SIB's should have them

stray · 14 March 2014, 16:19

Well the wheels arrived and have been fitted.

Rowlocks on order.

Sea state not looking good for a while though.

Crooty78 · 14 March 2014, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by stray

Well the wheels arrived and have been fitted.

Rowlocks on order.

Sea state not looking good for a while though.

What rowlocks are you getting?

stray · 14 March 2014, 17:27

Quote:

What rowlocks are you getting?

They are for the AX2/AX3 but should be OK to fit on the 380

Till I sell the Zodiac I'll just use the oars off that.

The Bass Stalker · 14 March 2014, 21:27

Looks good.

I always wondered why the quicksilvers didn't come with rowlocks rather than the out the side approach. I assume because its too big and wide to actually be able to row it? I've gone for the aux approach instead.

stray · 14 March 2014, 23:11

I don't know why the Bombard doesn't have rowlocks, it's not as wide as my Zodiac which has got them. I would have liked to get an aux, but there's just no where to put it.