A Guppy goes to Sea

[The Gurnard]

It didn’t take my brother and his kayak mates long to hear I had bought a new F-Rib. They phoned and asked if I was interested in joining them for a BBQ and a day around the Solway Firth. How could I refuse ? So far.. I had been sussing the Guppy out for speed.. handling and fast flowing water ..so was now ready to try her at sea with the 3.3HP Mariner.

I used to go a lot to the site my brother's caravan is at .. but could never get the heavy Quicksilver tailored SIB down to the shore. This is where the Guppy comes into its own .. easy transported in the car.. and very light to portage to the sea. I set the boat up in the car park as my brother watched on with great interest.



Then by using the DIY transom dolly.. I easily wheeled it 100 meters along the road..through a gap in the caravans..down a steep soft sand bank ..across 200 meters of hard sand..to finally reach the water.



The sea goes out for around a mile where we launched in Fleet Bay.. but it comes in very quickly..around slow walking pace.. so the sand tends to get stirred up as the tide comes in. It looked like mud after the crystal clear waters of the west coast. As it was spring tides.. the flow of the tide is around 5 knots at its strongest ..but as we were going diagonally across the flow ..it wasn’t a problem for the 3.3 Mariner.



Nor was it a problem for the kayakers.



I waited until they had started their journey then went ahead. I don’t disturb their peaceful paddling passage with my noisy outboard...and as they need to gulp air to work their paddles..I don’t pollute it with two stroke oil exhaust.

It was nice to get the Guppy into the sea .. and she bobbed along delightfully into the 10mph wind and waves..no slamming whatsoever



I was heading for Murray’s Island ..around a mile off shore from the launch point. There are three islands at the entrance to Fleet Bay. This one now belongs to the National Trust and is a seagull sanctuary. To its left is Ardwall Island..and the third ..beyond them both .. is Barlocco Island.



A ruin cottage still stands on Murray’s Isle. It was built for the pilot who’s job was to guide the ships into Gatehouse of Fleet's harbour .. a little way up the river Fleet. He also kept an eye open for smugglers. It was rife in this area.



I pulled into the sheltered landing area ..as the swell was running around a meter high. It is open water all the way to the Isle of Man and Ireland beyond. I then sat in my boat ..in the sun..waiting the kayakers to catch up.



I decided not to land..as the seagulls started forming a defensive wall..ready to repel any landing party... who may tread on their fresh eggs.



The noise and smell of hundreds of fishy gulls..terns..and cormorants is quite interesting.. to say the least.

To be continued ...

[SteveHall]

Brilliant - Thank you.

[The Gurnard]

Thanks Steve..glad you enjoy it.

It didn’t take long for the kayak guys to catch up. I could only go at displacement speed with my loaded F-Rib and 3.3Hp outboard. A kayak is very efficient at displacement speed..which is based on the length of a boat.. and is why sea going kayaks are designed so long in length.



We then chose different routes through the sharp reefs of the Murry Isles.



I went round the exposed side of the island to see how the Guppy handles in a bit of a chop. The light wind was against the 5 knot tide so the water was a bit more lumpy..the Guppy didn’t flinch... I have now no reservation in going out in her in far worse situations.



My brother took his kayak rock hopping along the expose side. He had his “selfie stick” mounted to the front of his boat.. as he was after some photos for a magazine article.



This is a selfie stick view of his route ... a bit to close to rock for my liking ..but we are all different.



David started getting playful as we crossed to Barlocco Island. Moments later his bow was sitting on my transom. I thought he may fall in but he kept his balance. Not that it would worry him if he did fall over.. all three guys can roll their kayaks in seconds. David is 73 years old..and fit as a fiddle...regularly paddling 30 or 40 miles per day. Puts me to shame.



You may think an F-Rib 273 is expensive for a small boat.. if you are comparing against PVC SIBs. However the F-Rib has a beautifully made fibre glass hull. These sea going kayaks are in the same price range as the Guppy. IMO I get a lot of boat for my money.

We were heading for a small rocky shore on the sheltered side of Barlocco Isle....



Where we all landed ..



Had some lunch...



And toasted the days health with a little Glenfiddich 14 year old single malt. We all find the clean oil colour of whisky helps lubricate our internal engines..especially when there is salt water around.



And then we talked about the last time we were on Barlocco Island ..and the biggest whale we have ever seen

To be continued....

[The Gurnard]

The last time we were together on Barlocco Isle was in 2006. We all went by kayak then..myself included. It was to see the 19 meter long Fin whale .. which sadly kept grounding itself on the rocks.. I guess it was trying to commit suicide ..for whatever reason ?

The following photos cannot describe the smell that hung in the air .. the day we arrived .. a couple of days later ..it was cut up and buried on the island by JCB. A job that I certainly did not envy.

Fortunately the suggestion to blow the carcass up was not considered..as it would have blown rotten blubber everywhere. Carrick Shore is not far away.. it is a popular tourist beach.

Next time you catch a fish in the area.. or feel a bump on the bottom of your airfloor .. pray its not something this size.















To be continued...

[Siochair]

Yet another cracking tale Gurnard. Thanks for posting.

[The Gurnard]

Many thanks Siochair ..glad you enjoy it..and the feedback is appreciated.

Suitably refreshed ..we now headed for the distant headland of Borness Point ..where there are some of the most interesting geological rock formations in the area.



Of course..you all know that around 400 million years ago.. Scotland was separated from England by a huge ocean. Continental drift is to blame for our union ..and its no more obvious than on the sea cliffs at Borness..where the land masses crashed into each other.. forming vertical stress lines in the cliffs ..



where there is also ..



A whole labyrinth of narrow passages ...



..where you can go in one end ...



..and hopefully come out the other end .

There are also many caves...



Big enough to enter at high tide....



Not one to be left behind .. I also put the Guppy into one of the smallest caves .. behind the boat in this photograph..



..Just so I could take... this photograph..



Sadly..all too soon it was time to head back to the launch point.. or we would have a long portage back..the tide was now going out fast. We were soon back in time for the BBQ.. where we discussed our next adventure together.

A couple of days later..my brother emailed me and said he was that impressed watching the Guppy’s performance.. that he bought one for himself .. just so he could take his dog and also his grandson on similar type adventures. Yup..the F-Ribs are proving themselves to be very impressive boats.



Thanks to all for reading ..and hope you found it of some interest..perhaps even inspire a visit to the Solway Firth.. it is every bit as as good as the west coast ..once you get to know it.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Nice one gurnard thanks for sharing, sales figures going up on the FRib too.

Cheers

[Siochair]

Hi Gurnard, what lens(es) do you use with the D70 when you are on the boat?

[LucasHartong]

Great stories about your experiences! Please keep sharing

[Boatintercoms]

Thanks Gurnard, I love reading your posts! I'm heading up that way in summer, staying at Ross Bay near Kirkcudbright, taking my Humber RIB for two weeks.

[The Gurnard]

Thanks again for the comments guys..I will post another adventure soon.

Siochair..the lens I use on the Canon DSLR in the boat is a 18-200...its not a great lens but its not too expensive if the salt goes for it.I cant zoom it if the boat is moving or it blurs. These photos in this post were taken with the Sony RX100III ..its a great wee camera ..compact size but with a 1" sensor and a viewfinder

[Siochair]

Thanks Gurnard. I have just checked out the specs for the Sony and they look rather impressive.

[beerbelly]

Originally Posted by Boatintercoms

Thanks Gurnard, I love reading your posts! I'm heading up that way in summer, staying at Ross Bay near Kirkcudbright, taking my Humber RIB for two weeks.

we stay at loch ken and launch from Brighouse bay not far from ross bay whats the slip like at ross . sorry for going off topic

[Boatintercoms]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

we stay at loch ken and launch from Brighouse bay not far from ross bay whats the slip like at ross . sorry for going off topic

Ross Bay's "slip way" not too good so will also use Brighouse Bay, see post :- http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/slipways...d-68957-2.html

[The Gurnard]

I have not used the one in Ross bay Beerbelly..but I believe its ok..just watch the tides as its still very tidal in that bay..or you will have a long walk when you land if the tides out. Also be aware of the firing range in that area..it is still in use ..and they fire shells out to sea from it..its marked on the OS maps..its a lovely area ..so you will enjoy it

Boat intercoms posted as I replied..so you can see the photos

[The Gurnard]

I went back to the Solway Firth and met up with my brother again. This time..he had his F-Rib 330 instead of his Kayak. As he is still waiting an outboard .. I gave him a loan of my 6HP.. so we could play hide and seek in the labyrinth is rocks and stacks along the coast.

Instead of taking photos..this time I took movie clips...here is part one of the movie "Hide and Seek on the Solway"

Not sure it works..as I normally take photos and not movies..but you can judge for yourselves if it works. I wasnt easy holding a camcorder on a bobbing boat..stearing with one or no hands..and watching for sunked rocks..just below the surface ..so I hope you dont get sea sick if you watch it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzaW8zymxsk

[Fenlander]

Ahh at last... finished painting that house and back to the serious business of boating!

What outboard will brother be fitting?

Are the 330 and 275 near identical in use/performance (all round not just speed) with the space being the only difference?

In truth I'm a bit unsure about video on a SIB as I very much enjoy the crisp stills you usually upload.

Of course a fixed waterproof GoPro that captures the action is a different matter... we have HD video with good image stabilisation on our digicam but it's too bouncy and too spray prone on a SIB to use in anything but the most settled conditions.

Edit: Mrs Fenlander has just watched the video, said she enjoyed it and that I'm very rude!

[The Gurnard]

Hi Fenlander..thanks for the feedback..and I don’t think its rude..its honest..and thats what I was after. Im not a great fan of video..but thought I would give it a try. Its a load more work joining all the clips together..and Im sure there must be ways to get good clips ..that Im not experienced with. I don’t think it will replace my photography but perhaps supplement it occasionally. I just used my compact camera too.. but wont go for a go pro.. I have other priorities for my pension.

The F Rib 330 performed exactly the same as the small one..same top speed etc. It was not going to look at going on the plane with two adults aboard ..powered by the 6HP ..but we both knew that. I let Duggie (on here) know as he was asking.

It was interesting to see the side view of the Guppy from photos my brother took.. as it keeps her nose high out the water..even with the small 3.3 HP pushing her along. Makes for a very dry and soft ride on normal sea..but in three foot waves or more.. I come off the plane to keep my teeth in my head.





Im still delighted with the boat. My brother ordered the 6HP too.. he didn’t want a heavy engine..and like me.. is not bothered by speed. He got the boat to take his grandson..who is still only three ..out to the islands in the video..for summer picnics etc. They are only a mile off the shore from his caravan..so displacement speeds don’t trouble him.

Thanks for the feedback on the video..its appreciated.

[Poly]

Gurnard - I think your video was not bad, if I had made it I would be happy, but your photos are top notch, so in comparison the video seems a bit flat. Perhaps if you narrated over it with some of your fine prose however...

Go Pro's etc are all very well, but you end up with hours of footage to edit down to a couple of minutes that anyone can be bothered watching. When done well its good, when done badly its worse than a 1970's slideshow with Uncle Bob and Aunty Joan's holiday pictures.

[Brian]

Mr. Gurnard, sir,

you can buy a w/proof video (or still) cam from these people for a mere £32 of your British pounds, they are compatible with Gopros:

Waterproof 1080P Wifi 12MP SJ4000 Full HD Sports Action Helmet Camera Camcorder | eBay

and then you can select either this steadying system for a mere £18:

Handheld Video Stabilizer Steady cam for DSLR DV SLR Digital Camera F7 | eBay

or this one for a tenner:

Video Handle Steadycam Stabilizer Steadicam Grip for DSLR Camera DV Camcorder | eBay

Both sets of description give the impression that they are suitable for full-size/weight digital cameras. This is not true but in my opinion though both are VERY suitable for small type action cams.
I have both but much prefer the first one.
Both are very "forgiving" when it comes to wobbly boats.

So for £50 you would be well suited to the elements with no worries about getting your valuable and expensive camera equipment lost or damaged by Mr. Neptune. And will give excellent results using something simple and free like Microsoft's Movie Maker.