Second time I've launched Sula 2 (my new to me Avon 8) tender. First time was just a little jaunt to a rocky cave south of Stonehaven at the start of the season, launched from the rib.
This time we made the trip across Loch Roag to Pabbay (Lewis) with my daughters. Used the Mariner 4hp auxilliary. Definitely need to get an inflatable thwart seat at some point. Sea was relatively calm with little wavelets. Shipped a little water. Great little boat, but because the tubes aren't oversized, with 3 on-board (maximum capacity), it sits to to the rubbing strip in the water, so it's not a dry boat under power.
On the beach it's tiny. I'd forgotten how small it is. I've made this trip many times in a Zodiac MKIIC, but that's different beast altogether and can handle rougher water.
The Avon does what it's meant to though. I only got it so we could get ashore and not have to worry about setting up a back anchor and all the malarkey that goes with keeping it offshore.
Sula
F-Rib 360
