Excel 435 HD fit out from scratch

[Fenlander]

Jeff those performance figures sound good for the weight you carry. The Suzuki sounds smooth now... all that bad running a thing of the past I hope.

I looked through your other videos of the trip... seems the sun always shines on Donny's home loch!

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Jeff those performance figures sound good for the weight you carry. The Suzuki sounds smooth now... all that bad running a thing of the past I hope.

I looked through your other videos of the trip... seems the sun always shines on Donny's home loch!

Yes David a lot of weight including my 21 stone very happy with the performance allround and worth the swap to the excel. My Suzuki is running mint since the water in the fuel problem I do treat it though to be safe.
We had perfect conditions for the Route our original was to head south down the sound of Jura the weather front came from there which would have made for a miserable journey.

[The Gurnard]

“Along with the sunshine ..you gotta have a little rain sometimes “

It was a heavy shower but the rest of the trip was worth the effort

Here is your boat zooming along loch Sunart



And it could not have been a better day



Oh..and a sneaky photo you took of me refuelling mid loch..well it was a scorcher of a day and I had to cool with some extra cool somehow as my wee impeller was struggling in the heat

[Brinormeg]

Is that a sly coverted fridge you are using as a console now Donny ? Containing the most important ppe, safety, and medical equipment.....they say thirst is a terrible thing at sea

[The Gurnard]

Im afraid its the salt sea air that gives me a raging thirst Brinormeg.

There will be a video of Jeff and myself at loch Sunart..but it will be after my latest adventure in Loch Etive by the wee F Rib on a fishing outing ..I went by sail power...




and unfortunately dropped my last tin of gravy overboard .

There is a scene in the video reminiscent of “Trainspotting” as I jumped overboard with mask and snorkel to try to retrieve it



You will have to watch it on my youtube channel in a few days time ... when its finished ... as I don’t think the ginger beer guys would appreciate it posted on Ribnet.

Back to you Jeff .. and apology for going off topic but Im easily led astray



I think I will be safe posting the Loch Sunart one on Ribnet when its done in a week or so

[Brinormeg]

Originally Posted by The Gurnard

There will be a video of Jeff and myself at loch Sunart..but it will be after my latest adventure in Loch Etive by the wee F Rib on a fishing outing ..I went by sail power...
and unfortunately dropped my last tin of gravy overboard .

There is a scene in the video reminiscent of “Trainspotting” as I jumped overboard with mask and snorkel to try to retrieve it

You will have to watch it on my youtube channel in a few days time

Back to you Jeff .. and apology for going off topic but Im easily led astray

My fault Jeff.....the excel setup you have got looks great by the way
And look forward too seeing the videos of it, and the length a scotsman will go to get his drink to the perfect temperature

[jeffstevens763@g]

Fill your boots boys good to have humer in the thread, I have my suspicions re the console possible secret door

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

With the engine lowered 50mm onto the transom I see no detriment in performance but no cavitation like I did before.

Likewise Jeff, I've found the SD360 performs much better with the OB sat on the transom.

Looks like it rained a little

[Siberman]

WOW!

This really is some Next Level stuff!

My set-up now feels very gypsy-ish in comparison.. (pardon my non-PC language)

Very impressed!!

Truly an incredible job Jeff!

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Siberman

WOW!

This really is some Next Level stuff!

My set-up now feels very gypsy-ish in comparison.. (pardon my non-PC language)

Very impressed!!

Truly an incredible job Jeff!

Thanks mate hope the build info helps

[Jasperj]

Really nice boat! Like the all black look of your amazing boat.

[TmMorris]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

to close this out a short vid of the boat as it will be used for wild camping trips but with two chutney barrels the others are just weighing down the floor tiles whilst the glue sets.

all in I'm very happy with the console ive had two people say how good it looks without prompting any reaction so it cant be too bad it'll do me anyway.
thanks for the interest lets hope we can get to use it.

cheers

Just been plodding through this thread. The final result looks fantastic. Quality bit of hedge as well. Looks like it's been trimmed with a set square.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Thanks Tim yes hedge gets cut once a year with a petrol cutter all trimmings picked up with the lawn mower top tip

[jeffstevens763@g]

on a recent trip out with Donny [gurnard] i noticed my bunks had some significant wear on the first layer of ply so decided to sort them out. also launching and retrieving from taynult made harder with shallow water it was ok with Donny's help but would be made easier with a keel roller to start and a new 2 speed winch which i ordered from Knott direct in Germany [no vat or import duty ] bargin at £39.99. with 4 day delivery.

the glue i used to stick the bunk Carpet was soudal fix all [hybrid polymer].
the carpet from Extreme trailers at £48.00.

the roller is 40mm galvanized hand rail with two flush attachments with key lock and a length of 50mm plastic downpipe with split sink waste pipe to take up the difference in size between the hand rail and downpipe

[Steve509926]

Very timely post Jeff, just ordered a winch and post.
Where did you get the roller from? Is it fitted to the bottom of bunks?

[Fenlander]

Good to see a gradual refining of the setup to suit your circumstances. The Germany thing is a bit odd isn't it... you can order up to £135 (I think, certainly thereabouts) of goods and you don't pay their VAT or ours or any duties.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Steve
if you look up key lock hand railing all the stuff is on there, ive bolted it through the buffalo board with HDPE packers to give enough drop so the keel rests on it the same as the transom rests on the bunks, the roller also has the grass pad under it for insurance just incase there's too much strain on the bunks it still rolls even when touching and is my attachment point for the ratchets strap.

David

your right there's always a scenario where you need a hand i usually float off but since i had mostly of the kit to make the roller except the brackets [£8.00] a no brainer.
yea i noticed you had the same on one of your posts nice to know the info worth keeping it in mind.

[Steve509926]

Thanks Jeff

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Thanks Jeff

https://www.themetalstore.co.uk/prod...p-uk-suppliers

one of the places you can get it from

[jeffstevens763@g]

so it was time to get the engine serviced having spent silly money keeping my warranty up [wouldn't do that again]i decided that since I'm retired i have enough time to DIY, I'm not a mechanic but spent many an hour keeping a half race Hillman imp going in my youth so here goes.
ordered all my parts from Dulas boats the kit had all the oils, oil filter, spark plugs, anodes, water pump kit the lot not just an impeller, low pressure petrol filter, prop split pin sump washer , gearbox washers and timing belt which had to come from Germany, received it all in a week £153.00 delivered.
first job change the engine oil couldnt undo the sump plug tight as a yorkshireman [one for Dave] so i pumped it out good way to do it got all the oil out according to the manual quantities and well down to the sump plug. next oil filter you wouldn't believe how tight this was my guess no oil on the O ring when installed, finally got it off with a strap rench. fitted new oil filter [with oiled O ring this time] filled up with oil ran waited two mins checked the level and no leaks from the oil filter.