Excel 360 Explorer Pro

[Steve509926]

Excel claimed specification:-

Internal Length: 2.40m
Internal Width: 0.80m
External Length: 3.60m
External Width: 1.70m
Tube Diameter: 42cm
Weight: 48kg

[Steve509926]

Couldn't resist!

Specs will be checked when I set it up. No reason to doubt them, but the tube diameter looks bigger than 42cms to me.

[chipko]

Nice one Steve. Excel had a 330 jobbie at the recent Caravan & Camping show and thought it looked rather smart. Look forward to an on water review when you get a chance.

PS: That Excel yard could do with a bit of a tidy up.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by chipko

Nice one Steve. Excel had a 330 jobbie at the recent Caravan & Camping show and thought it looked rather smart. Look forward to an on water review when you get a chance.

PS: That Excel yard could do with a bit of a tidy up.

Thanks chipko. I saw the 330 at SBS last September and knew I'd be tempted by the 360 if the specs were right for my needs. They only got the 360 into the country this week so it's the first time I'd seen one and I have to say I was impressed.

Goodness knows when I'm going to get a chance to set it up and get it on the water, people just won't let me bloody retire! But a full review and video will be forthcoming.

Agree about the yard. They run another business from the same place, marine pontoons, piling that sort of thing, which makes it look very untidy. But for people with OCD traits, like myself, if would drive me insane.

[Fenlander]

Excellent Steve. It will be good to have a new model represented on the forum. And remember… never let work get in the way of retirement.

[Tonus]

Nice Steve, look forward to see it when you see it up!

I saw this boat at the SBS last year too and was interested. I remember the boat being quite narrow, but looking at your first photo it looks pretty beamy...

Very sturdy looking boat - built like tank!

[Steve509926]

Hi Tonus, the model you saw at SBS was the smaller one of the range the 330, this is the 360.

Hopefully I should get it inflated this week. Really looking forward to getting out on the water.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Hopefully I should get it inflated this week.

Missus Steve is gonna miss that 3.3m of lounge space!

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by willk

Missus Steve is gonna miss that 3.3m of lounge space!

If we didn't have the grandkids staying that's exactly where it would be getting inflated! 👍

[Tonus]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Hi Tonus, the model you saw at SBS was the smaller one of the range the 330, this is the 360.

Yes sorry, I worked that out just after I posted! I remembered you said back then that the 330 looked a bit small for you.

Great time of year to be getting a new boat - enjoy mate

[Steve509926]

Today was the first opportunity to unbox and set up my new Excel 360 Explorer Pro.

Initial impressions are very positive. Can't wait to get it out on the water and see how it performs. Unfortunately I don't think it will be before I go to Scotland for a few days next week, so Redneck will get a last trip out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY2ZlpdfdhY

[Steve509926]

Excel claimed specification:-

Internal Length: 2.40m
Internal Width: 0.80m
External Length: 3.60m
External Width: 1.70m
Tube Diameter: 42cm
Weight: 48kg

My real life measurements:-

Internal length - 2.44m
Internal width - 0.82m
Weight - 46kg (scales could be inaccurate)

[Tonus]

Great video Steve, thanks!

I emailed Excel yesterday and asked about the specs for the 330 as I’m also half interested in that boat.:

Explorer 330:
3.30m Overall Length
2.20m Inside Length
1.60m Overall Width
0.80m Inside Width
0.42m Tube Diameter

4+1 Person Capacity
2 Seat Included
690kg Loading Capacity
20hp Maximum
45g Boat Weight

So with your testing in mind the 330 could be a little lighter/bigger than above. Really not very much between the 330 and 360 (rated for the same HP).

Well done mate - I live 3.5hrs away from Excel so great to see the boat in detail.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Tonus

Great video Steve, thanks!

I emailed Excel yesterday and asked about the specs for the 330 as I’m also half interested in that boat.:

Explorer 330:
3.30m Overall Length
2.20m Inside Length
1.60m Overall Width
0.80m Inside Width
0.42m Tube Diameter

4+1 Person Capacity
2 Seat Included
690kg Loading Capacity
20hp Maximum
45g Boat Weight

So with your testing in mind the 330 could be a little lighter/bigger than above. Really not very much between the 330 and 360 (rated for the same HP).

Well done mate - I live 3.5hrs away from Excel so great to see the boat in detail.

Side by side Tonus I think you would notice a big difference between the 330 and the 360. The inner beam of the 330 is only 70 CMS, not 80 CMS as you've mentioned above. Also I know it's only 2 cms difference in the tubes but that makes for a much more stable sib.
For my needs the 330 was far to small.

[chipko]

New boat looking hot there Steve.
Nice unboxing vid.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by chipko

New boat looking hot there Steve.
Nice unboxing vid.

Thanks chipko.

Been taking a few measurements tonight and seeing how the Beachmaster type wheels can fit and the glaringly obvious omission on the sib (which I didn't see!) is the lack of any fue tank straps.
Not a major problem but I would have thought they would have been there even if it was in the wrong place.

[Steve509926]

I have come to the sad conclusion that the Beachmaster type wheels won't fit even with a stepped packer.
Perhaps I'll have to start another Transom Wheel thread to get suggestions!

[Fenlander]

That's a nuisance but would a chunky stepped packer not work where a longer part of the packer came below the air floor end?

If not there is life beyond Beachmasters.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

That's a nuisance but would a chunky stepped packer not work where a longer part of the packer came below the air floor end?

If not there is life beyond Beachmasters.

It probably would , but the packer would need to be so big and chunky it wouldn't look right.

I think Seamax or something similar would be better.

[Fenlander]

When you think over your outings do you use the wheels at a mid-point destination or could you, like us, have a wheel you only fit for launch/recovery at the start point?