A Round of Arran and Bute ... by SIB

[The Gurnard]

I was wanting to de winterise “The Gurnard” which is my 4.3HD Quicksilver inflatable powered by a 25HP Mariner 2 stroke outboard ... for a multi day trip round Mull later this month.

A four day weather window appeared in the forecast over the long weekend so a quick call to a couple of fellow SIB’ers and a multi day trip was arranged to go round the Islands of Arran and Bute .. launching from Largs.



The journey was approx 130 miles and my heavy (52kg) .. noisy.. smoke belching .. 25HP two stroke ..used 50 litres of fuel plus approx £10 of two stroke oil. Highland Haggis’s new EFI 20HP 4 stroke .. which was not much slower off the mark ..silently and smokeless’ly ..used less than 30 litres of fuel. It also only weighs 43kg ..so for me at least ..the two stoke / four stroke debate is long dead.

Anyhoo .. here is day one of the four day Adventure. Kaman joined us for the Friday to Saturday morning section but had to return early to meet pre arranged family commitments. We were in no hurry to do the journey any quicker ..the weather was beautiful..although I found camping in April a bit chilly at night. My sincere thanks to both Kaman and HH for their company on this adventure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRFsA_njSx8

I will post the whole adventure as I get the sections edited ..so do come back to watch them too.

Best Regards
The Gurnard.

[Xk59D]

We done almost this exact route a few weeks ago, it shows you how far outboard economy has come. My 200 used about 90 litres and last tangos new 150 used about 75 litres to do more or less that journey, neither of us used any oil ofcourse given my boat weighs about 1700kg and is a v6 I'm delighted with economy and last tango is like pig in shit with his new motor

Between mainland and Arran is rarely a smooth ride but when it is you stand a good chance of seeing basking sharks off Arran at the right time of year.

There is also a dolphin off the red marker at hunterson, I've looked twice and not been there but the guys in largs say it is there quite often.

Look forward to part 2.

[Vinny31]

Beautiful part of the world, maybe I’ll get to visit some day [emoji106]

[Fenlander]

Great to read/view Donny... particularly for those like me in an enforced desk jockey situation still awaiting the season start.

>>> my heavy (52kg) .. noisy.. smoke belching .. 25HP two stroke ..used 50 litres of fuel plus approx £10 of two stroke oil. Highland Haggis’s new EFI 20HP 4 stroke .. which was not much slower off the mark ..silently and smokeless’ly ..used less than 30 litres of fuel. It also only weighs 43kg ..so for me at least ..the two stoke / four stroke debate is long dead.


Ahh is there a sniff of a new OB for you before long?

[Highland Haggis]

Well fuel burn was 26 ltrs for the weekend [emoji41]means more [emoji481][emoji481][emoji481][emoji481]

[The Gurnard]

Hi Xk59D..I can understand why you are so happy with your fuel use.

Some more info on my thirsty OB. Its 2006 Mariner and in good condition ..its plugs are a lovely colour ..and it runs as sweet as a nut.. so its not over using fuel. Conditions were perfect not fighting winds and tides nor at displacement speeds. Nor was I at full throttle. These older two strokes are gas guzzlers IMO.

Hi Fenlander ..if I could justify it..I would replace with a 4 stroke ..yesterday.

However its also true that many people mostly use the boats that are easy to launch and retrieve. I will use this boat four or five time a year only. Its for the longer open sea crossing to the islands. I am happier using my wee F-Rib and 6HP fourstroke..its used almost every other day in my boating season. It gets approx 30 miles per litre ..so no issues there. Its also covered most the west coast of mainland Scotland ..so Im not that restricted where I can go in it.

Hi Vinny31 ..its a nice part of the world in good weather..but I worked on Arran many a winter ..so I know another side of it. Its def worth a visit though.

Hi H.H. ..yup.. I think we spent more on gravy than fuel..despite my thirsty OB. I blame the salt water and sea air for giving us our thirsts.

Here is day two ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_yJi3rgiBo

and I will post day three once I have made the video.. thanks for looking

Best Regards
The Gurnard

[charliee]

such great movies, in amazing scenery, I really enjoy watching them!

[beerbelly]

hope the weather is as kind in that area next week.

[The Gurnard]

Hi Charliee ..thanks for commenting and Im delighted you enjoy the videos

Hi Beerbelly.. yup..fingers crossed we get a great summer never mine next week. Its been a good year for me so far. I have a round of Mull planned in the middle of the month ..so here’s hoping.

Day Three is now attached

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nguSW16qF2U

Enjoy ..Best Regards
The Gurnard

[Stagparty]

They are really good videos Gurnard, so enjoy watching them

[The Gurnard]

Hi Stagparty ..many thanks for commenting .. it helps give me some feedback on the videos.

I enjoy making them and only hope they don’t end up boring folks.

Anyhoo.. here is Day Four ..and the final part of the Round of Arran and Bute adventure.

I didn’t write many words in this episode..as it tells its own story better than I can do.

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

My thanks to Highland Haggis and Kaman (and not forgetting Fang ) for the company on this trip..its a long lasting memory for me.

Until the next adventure

Best Regards
The Gurnard

[jambo]

Originally Posted by The Gurnard

Hi Stagparty ..many thanks for commenting .. it helps give me some feedback on the videos.



I enjoy making them and only hope they don’t end up boring folks.



Anyhoo.. here is Day Four ..and the final part of the Round of Arran and Bute adventure.



I didn’t write many words in this episode..as it tells its own story better than I can do.

My thanks to Highland Haggis and Kaman (and not forgetting Fang ) for the company on this trip..its a long lasting memory for me.



Until the next adventure



Best Regards

The Gurnard

Evening Donny. A great journey excellently document as usual. Enjoyed every minute especially the Bute bits, love to see my homeland [emoji106].
Hope to bump into later in the year.
Cheers B

[Fenlander]

The weather and photographic opportunities on day 4... brilliant Donny. This long weekend is superb for sibbing down here... I'm in the garden building a pergola... hopefully earning massive boating credits!

[Stevem]

Loving yet another adventure!

I'm planning a 4 day trip around Jura and into Loch Gruinart of Islay if possible / weather permitting in July and looking forward to see how you get on around Mull.

[Highland Haggis]

Another great couple of videos Donny shame it went so quickly never mind mull calling soon [emoji41]

[Gazzago]

You do produce a good video. I hope the upcoming trip lives up to your video [emoji1]. I’ve enjoyed all the videos of yours that I’ve seen so far. Scottish scenery certainly helps though [emoji6]

[Pikey Dave]

Magical as ever Donny, keep ‘em coming[emoji106]