New 380 Bombard owner

[Big Al C]

Well pleased with new inflatable ,,, 380 bombard with 15hp Mercury. Have gone from Sunsport 270 vair floor rated for 8hp but used 15hp to the bombard 380. Engine cover is Mariner 8hp but really Merc 15 .
Sunsport was fine for general days out with me, miss and daughter. But a wild camp for four days in Scotland earlier this year, me and my mate run out of space for gear, extra fuel, food, beer,,,, so had to get a bigger boat after the trip.
Used so far, North Wales, Loch Lomond and the other week end Lake Windermere.
Boat needed bits doing to it, like 2 of the straps regluing that hold the floor in and the only patch on the tube redoing,,,, no leaks on the floor. No seat came with the boat,,, soon made one of them. Using 1" piece of timber under transom clamps to lift engine to reduce the water problems.
Had a set of wheels made after having to carry the boat every time we launched at Loch Lomond. Used the wheels at Windermere on my own,,,, work a treat .
Have got the Zodiac bar steering that fits to the boat, was going to try and fit to the Sunsport,,, never got round to it. But the cable is to short 7'. Any one know what size it should be please.
Hope to use again on Windermere beginning of November.

[Wild_Bill]

Nice. I like the wheels. Good work.

[Mollers]

Cute.

[SpearRib]

Jealous :-)

[SIBer]

Nice set up - Where are you launching on Windermere, Ferry Nab?

[Big Al C]

We have a touring caravan and stop at Hill of Oaks Caravan site, just up from Fell Foot Park (2 miles up). If you use official slip ways you have to pay to put your boat in (think its about a fiver),,,,, have yet to use one as we can put the boat in with out a slipway. . The place is full of Master Craft ski boats, static vans and wooden lodges.
Down side to Hill of Oaks is no tents,,,,, only caravans or camper vans, about 20 pitches, good site though.

[Stippolyte]

Was thinking of trying hillofoaks next year as we've just got our 1st caravan. Are the van pitches near the water ? I've got a 380 + 15 2s. Would my Zodiac/Bombard wheels be ok for that distance. Ta Karl. Any other lake access sites in lake district?

[Big Al C]

Hi, pitches 1 to 4 are by the water, pitch 4 has a gap just right for putting an inflatable in,,,, 1,2,3 have trees in the way. The main pitches are a small walk from the water if you are using wheels (2 mins ). Down hill going,,, up on the way back,,,, hard work on your own.
Before we got this boat and the wheels we use to drive down to the water side further into the site (walking 7 -8 mins down, 10-12 mins up) and pump the boat up by the waters edge. Leave the boat down there and remove the engine each night (boat tied/locked to a tree, engine back into the car.)

There is another site in Bowness, have not used it.
Coniston, Coniston Hall site, tents and camper vans no caravans,
Coniston, Park Coppice, all types,,,, but you have to launch at Coniston Hall.
Pooley Bridge, Park Foot, all types.
Will be other sites.

All the Lakes have the 10mph limits only Windermere has a registration system.

Hope this helps.

[Stippolyte]

Thanks. Have rented cottage in Black Hole Wood for years (just up from Lakeside ) .Has private beach, launching & jetty frontage so has been ideal. But with getting caravan can only use Aerotec, cant tow caravan and a boat :-( . Hillofoaks looks next best option but if its a fair distance might invest in collapsable trailer.