Anybody got an Excel Scout 330?

Troutbum · 16 January 2025, 13:04

Hi
I've been a long time lurker on this forum, I have always found the info I'm looking for in previous posts so have never needed to post.

I've decided to treat myself to a new sib.
I fish on freshwater lochs in Scotland and occasionally sheltered sea lochs.
I've been happy with a 260 size with slatted floor and 2.5hp engine.
Need to be able to carry the boat to launching sites down steep banks etc so think a 330 size with removable airdeck will be ideal.

Short list is Excel scout and Hydrus.
The Excel is cheaper but the pro model with rowlocks and ropes is not expected until March / April.
Just wondering if anyone has one and has any comments etc

Steve509926 · 16 January 2025, 16:17

Hi and welcome, I don't know of either sib but based purely on aesthetics I much prefer the looks of the Scout.

The only forum member I know who has a Scout is ManxJason, but that's a 400.

Will you be using the 2.5hp on it?

Troutbum · 16 January 2025, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Will you be using the 2.5hp on it?

No I am going to get a 6hp, while I know it's not going to get it to plane it should be plenty for my uses.

The two lochs I mainly fish on are actually limited to 4hp & 6mph so I'll need to re-badge the 6 🤣

Steve509926 · 16 January 2025, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troutbum

No I am going to get a 6hp, while I know it's not going to get it to plane it should be plenty for my uses.

The two lochs I mainly fish on are actually limited to 4hp & 6mph so I'll need to re-badge the 6 🤣

I think you may be surprised using a 6hp with the right sib.

Take a look at this thread:-

https://www.rib.net/forum/f50/sib-review-excel-volante-sd330-84136.html

Troutbum · 16 January 2025, 22:18

Thanks for the link, it has given me confidence in my decision.
The only concern I have is when he says the bag weighs 50kg. I am really hoping I am going to have two bags, one with the main tubes weighing under 35kg and another with floor, seats, oars and pump at around 20kg. My current boat weighs 37kg so I am hoping for an easier carry down to the shore. I think 50kg would kill me

Steve509926 · 16 January 2025, 22:34

And your decision is?

Fenlander · Yesterday, 10:46

Welcome to the forum TB.

Yes be interesting to know which you went for, 50kg seems quite heavy for a 330 air floor.

Are there no formal slipways anywhere into these lochs, it is so much easier to assemble everything near the car and trolley the whole outfit into the water on transom wheels.

Steve509926 · Yesterday, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Yes be interesting to know which you went for, 50kg seems quite heavy for a 330 air floor.

They are both big wide sibs similar in width to my 360 which is 58kg, it's been rechristened "Exxon Valdez" by a couple of the guys!

I've just taken a look at the specs again and the internal dimensions of the Scout are much bigger than the Hydrus, I don't fish but I would have thought space was important.

Fenlander · Yesterday, 18:09

I really don't know how they managed to get the complete Aerotec down to 43kg. It's not built down in quality and has a chunky solid timber transom. Perhaps there is a surprising amount of weight shaved off when making it pointy?

Troutbum · Yesterday, 19:28

I've decided to go for the scout pro 330.
I looked into the Hydrus a bit more, I had thought the lite and pro were the same boat with the lite coming without the railblaza ports etc but it says the lite is glued instead of welded and has ply seats instead of alu on the pro.

So put my order in, £995 delivered. Expected in March but full payment taken now which seems the norm these days. Used a cc just in case.

Now to decide on launching wheels.
I like the seamax and boatworld clones. Not sure if 14 inch wheels are a bit big for this size of boat?
What's it like trying to push 14's under the water to set them?

Troutbum · Yesterday, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Welcome to the forum TB.

Are there no formal slipways anywhere into these lochs.

There are in some of them, they get very busy though. I prefer to find the quiet areas nobody else bothers to go to.
I guess that's one issue with only having a 2.5hp - it's much quicker to drive to where you want to fish than motor there at 5mph !

Steve509926 · Yesterday, 22:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troutbum

Now to decide on launching wheels.
I like the seamax and boatworld clones. Not sure if 14 inch wheels are a bit big for this size of boat?
What's it like trying to push 14's under the water to set them?

I've been through a lot of turmoil with transom wheels and have finally settled on some which suits my needs perfectly.
If I needed to buy new transom wheels, I think I would only buy either the "Beachmaster" type wheel or the seamax (or Boatworld clone) wheel.

Fenlander · Yesterday, 22:57

>>>What's it like trying to push 14's under the water to set them?

Can be a bit of a devil so to avoid this and potential punctures I've changed to the yellow perils. Just about neutral buoyancy so negates any such issues.

See posts 50 & 52 on this thread for the wheels I've settled on and been happy with over several years now...

https://www.rib.net/forum/f50/best-w...els-72495.html