West Coast of Scotland - Boating at it's Best

[Steve509926]

A group of us choose what will probably be the best week of the year to go wild camping on Bute.

Hope you enjoy the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jur5KJJ-dw

[beamishken]

Great video showing how calm & mild it was for your week. You wont be forgiven for this though, you had a week of our best weather then took it home, it's been about 10° colder windy & wet since you left��.
I'm prety sure that was us you passed coming down the west Kyle, my pal remarked how well your boat was tanking on. If the pontoon had been out at tighnabruaich we'd have probably bumped into you at the hotel but we didnt want to beach the rib (or get wet feet). Easter weekend by comparison has been poor, haven't even bothered getting the boat wet.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Great video showing how calm & mild it was for your week. You wont be forgiven for this though, you had a week of our best weather then took it home, it's been about 10° colder windy & wet since you left��.
I'm prety sure that was us you passed coming down the west Kyle, my pal remarked how well your boat was tanking on. If the pontoon had been out at tighnabruaich we'd have probably bumped into you at the hotel but we didnt want to beach the rib (or get wet feet). Easter weekend by comparison has been poor, haven't even bothered getting the boat wet.

I promise to bring the good weather back up in July Ken. Loch Lomond for a week (oops - more people than midge's!) than Arisaig for a week.

It was a fantastic week though.

[Brinormeg]

Looks like you had the best of it right enough Steve. Lovely conditions up and down the coast.

Was meant to be heading over to Arisaig and Etive the same week you were away, and the previous, but my main crew member has left to join the armed forces, so this has changed our plans for this year quite a bit already.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Brinormeg

Looks like you had the best of it right enough Steve. Lovely conditions up and down the coast.

Was meant to be heading over to Arisaig and Etive the same week you were away, and the previous, but my main crew member has left to join the armed forces, so this has changed our plans for this year quite a bit already.

Hi Brin, shame you couldn't get away. I bet the Volaire is a bit of a struggle without your lad?

[Brinormeg]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Hi Brin, shame you couldn't get away. I bet the Volaire is a bit of a struggle without your lad?

Will definately be re-thinking our set up this coming year or so.
Been keeping an eye on various other options with the future in mind.

Between health crap and just growing old and unfit (me that is before the wife reads this)
The Volaire and Suzuki 20hp certainly is a hand full going solo and a beast to handle for just the 2 of us trying to get it in and out the car alongside an excited mad dog.

On the other hand.....he will be really fit when back on leave to set it up for me on his own

The old story a lot of sibbers will come across in time, of balancing size, weight and sea worthiness I suppose.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Brinormeg

Will definately be re-thinking our set up this coming year or so.
Been keeping an eye on various other options with the future in mind.

Between health crap and just growing old and unfit (me that is before the wife reads this)
The Volaire and Suzuki 20hp certainly is a hand full going solo and a beast to handle for just the 2 of us trying to get it in and out the car alongside an excited mad dog.

On the other hand.....he will be really fit when back on leave to set it up for me on his own

The old story a lot of sibbers will come across in time, of balancing size, weight and sea worthiness I suppose.

A good way to justify an upgrade to a rib😉 a 4-5m rib will be quicker & take less physical effort to get on the water than even a 3m sib & are easily towed by a fairly modest car. Better seakeeping & more stable & easier to move around in & store gear especially if your not as mobile as you used to be.
It seems counter intuitive to go bigger but your letting the car & trailer do the work instead of you

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Brinormeg

Will definately be re-thinking our set up this coming year or so.
Been keeping an eye on various other options with the future in mind.

The old story a lot of sibbers will come across in time, of balancing size, weight and sea worthiness I suppose.

It will be the maiden voyage of my new sib, Excel 360 Explorer, next weekend. I needed something slightly lighter, the same size and sea worthiness than my current SD360 to see me through for the next 5 years or so. Hopefully the Explorer will fit the bill.

[Fenlander]

Good to see your video Steve, the new SIB trial much anticipated too.

Aerotec's well represented!

[Steve509926]

Ronnie hasn't had his Aerotec for long. I'm sure he said it was c2009, it looks almost brand new.

[kevinsc]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

I promise to bring the good weather back up in July Ken. Loch Lomond for a week (oops - more people than midge's!) than Arisaig for a week.

Hi Steve
Video is great weather and conditions look amazing. Hope you leave the good weather at loch Lomond in August when we go.
Cheers Kevin

[Brinormeg]

Originally Posted by beamishken

A good way to justify an upgrade to a rib😉 a 4-5m rib will be quicker & take less physical effort to get on the water than even a 3m sib & are easily towed by a fairly modest car. Better seakeeping & more stable & easier to move around in & store gear especially if your not as mobile as you used to be.
It seems counter intuitive to go bigger but your letting the car & trailer do the work instead of you

I like your line of thinking….not sure the better half will though

Long term it certainly might be the way to go once I get the new car/van with a tow bar, and can secure a bit of land at the front of the house for semi safe storage

Originally Posted by Steve509926

It will be the maiden voyage of my new sib, Excel 360 Explorer, next weekend. I needed something slightly lighter, the same size and sea worthiness than my current SD360 to see me through for the next 5 years or so. Hopefully the Explorer will fit the bill.

Will keep an eye out for your sea trials and reviews as well, once you get a chance Steve

[Steve509926]

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

[Fenlander]

Steve is that a Tohatsu 9.9 on the Aerotec with the yellow wheels?

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Steve is that a Tohatsu 9.9 on the Aerotec with the yellow wheels?

Hi, Fenlander, it's a 9.9 cowl on an 18hp Tohatsu.

[Fenlander]

Ahh I thought it was going a bit well for a 9.9.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Ahh I thought it was going a bit well for a 9.9.

I was a good 2 - 3 kts slower and it takes off like a bat out of hell!

[Fenlander]

Before the advent of these light efi 20hp motors that was the holy grail SIB OB for those who wanted a bit more than a 15hp.

[Hat]

Cracking Steve , like a millpond I’ve spent many years of the west coast of Scotland
Diving and canoeing, never got to Bute yet. Hopefully one day

[Steve509926]

Thanks Hat, Bute & Arran are well worth the trip.