Honwaver T38 or Elling 350?

[Mattster]

I believe they are about on the west side of Thorney, up some of the small creeks that are only creeks at low tide. I haven't actually been over myself yet, although I have seen them just bobbing about in the harbour itself when I have been kayaking, up nearly as far as Dell Quay. I think they are fairly reliable, to the extent that we have seal tours operating in the harbour now. I think they aim for low tide, when the seals are out on the bank. There is a code of conduct in place, along the lines of not spending too long/not too many boats/not getting too close, but just common sense really. I am planning to take the family down when we get a chance (and this wind goes away!).

[TmMorris]

Thanks Matt, so around Emsworth?

I'm thinking of using Northney Marina to launch from next time as it's the quickest/closest launch point coming in from the Cotswolds and the facilities seem nice.

I've never actually been up that way at low water, is there a navigable channel at low water? I've always assumed there was for a dinghy.

[Gary S]

Hi Tim,

Mattster knows the Chichester harbour better than me but I launch Broadmarsh at the public slip but it is tidal: two hours either side of HW. I can then either stay in Langstone Harbour or head across and under the Hayling bridge into Chichester Harbour. Check the costs of launching/parking at Northney. I have just looked online and it is (was) £27.40 per day: being a northerner, I have therefore not used! Itchenor is all states if tide but I will defer to Mattster as he as better knowledge than me. Search online for other launch sites which are well listed and described.

There are also harbour dues which are £5 per day (check) for your vessel with funds going towards marine conservation. I have an annual permit for both but I am local.

Seal wise, yep, they were there last time I was out bobbing around and scaring off the fish…at least that was my excuse and I’m sticking to it!

[TmMorris]

Thanks Gary. For me I need to try and avoid tidal slips, keep the journey as short as possible and have easy facilities for ablutions on arrival and departure.

I reckoned Northney would cost me around £30 but is a sub 2.5hr drive whereas Itchenor is over 3. That hour extra in slow traffic will probably cost me £10 in fuel!! But the Mariner has somewhere on site the children can go and ablute and grab some food while I'm unpacking and packing. It's also secure parking. What this means is that I can set off early in the morning and leave in the evening and not worry about food plus they will doze off for much of the drive. And it maximises the time on the water and our flexibility.

[Gary S]

Makes absolute sense and whatever it needs to get on the water IMO! I don’t have those considerations. Maybe when you know your heading this way we might bump into each other…although not literally!

[TmMorris]

I'll be aiming for at least one more trip to Chichester in August.

[Gary S]

Let me know when and I’ll see if we can hook up.

[Mattster]

Bit more fiddling about today, got the sliding transducer bracket mounted (thanks to Jonp for the tip in another thread). Seems OK, time will tell. The transducer assembly is quick and easy to remove, and the remaining bracket is fairly inobstrusive as regards rolling up the boat (it will be behind the wheels, anyway).
Yes, the total scan transducer is absolutely ridiculously big! I used to have this set up on my kayak, believe it or not.



and with the transducer removed:

[Fenlander]

Yep that's neat.

[Mattster]

Got my bigger wheels today after a bit of a struggle on a slatted wooden boat ramp last time out. Not sure how much, if any, difference they will make - we'll see. Only downside, I ordered pneumatics but got sent solid wheels instead. I was thinking that running blow-ups slightly soft could be good for the (quite hard) shingle that I sometimes launch on, also a bit of give etc. Anyone have insights on whether it is worth pursuing an exchange? Wheels are from Germany.. but then they did send the wrong ones (I would have ordered grey if I was going to go solid!).

On the plus side, I did leave enough room when I did the original install and they go on well:

[Fenlander]

I've had some solids that were like they were filled with concrete... no give at all... didn't like them as they really rattled the outboard on bumps.

I wonder if sandhoppers would fit?

[Mattster]

The only sandhoppers I could find had a 1 inch axle, whereas these are 20mm. No doubt could be fettled in some way, but I think I will try the pneumatics first if I can get hold of them. These are on the solid side, but so were the original wheels that came with the set (these are essentially the same wheels in a different size, same hub).

[Oldman2]

Good old blue water pipe

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Oldman2

Good old blue water pipe

Visited every skip I have driven past Olman2 and I'm still to find the 200mm of blue pipe you assured me was in every builders skip!

[Oldman2]

Just ask one of the obviously very tight plumbers up your way to sell you a bit then Down south we are so rich we bin loads all the time, pop round and I will give you some.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Oldman2

Just ask one of the obviously very tight plumbers up your way to sell you a bit then Down south we are so rich we bin loads all the time, pop round and I will give you some.

Perhaps "Up North" we're so poor we can't afford to replace the lead pipes with shiny new blue plastic ones!

[TmMorris]

Still using lead pipes? That would at least explain the behaviour up there.

Steve, I think I've some of the blue piping lying around but hidden where dumpster divers can't nick it. If I have then I'd be happy to cut a couple of bits off and stick them in the post.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by TmMorris

Still using lead pipes? That would at least explain the behaviour up there.

Steve, I think I've some of the blue piping lying around but hidden where dumpster divers can't nick it. If I have then I'd be happy to cut a couple of bits off and stick them in the post.

Thanks Tim, I'll pm my address to you

[Wazzajnr]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Thanks Tim, I'll pm my address to you

If the pipe doesn't fit, let me know and I'll 3d print you some sleeves.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Wazzajnr

If the pipe doesn't fit, let me know and I'll 3d print you some sleeves.

Thank you so much