Excel 435 HD fit out from scratch

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

It took about 2 hours to get a position for limited steering what I mean by that is no full lock to starboard not just the seat but me I’m big boned�� if needed the backrest will drop forward for tight situations which I won’t need back support to be honest even the bench seat had steering limitations if you didn’t move. The big box was is great but I needed to reach stuff without kneeling on it bad knees now everything is easily reached as I say your health changes so the kit has to change too. I’ll do a video for sure

Eeyup Jeff, long time no see. I was only thinking the other day you’d gone quiet. I hope all’s well with you & yours.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Now then Dave all good here mate hope you and yours are too, I don’t come on much now days been too busy refurbishing the house kitchen next last of the big projects, I hope.
Have you been out much?

[jeffstevens763@g]

https://youtu.be/UaEvbRAsEZ4

as promised

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

Now then Dave all good here mate hope you and yours are too, I don’t come on much now days been too busy refurbishing the house kitchen next last of the big projects, I hope.
Have you been out much?

All good at this end thanks. Not done much at all this year boat wise. Combination of poor weather & daughter moving house, & landing me with a load of “dad jobs”. Hoping to get up west Scotland later in the year but it’s weather dependent as usual.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

https://youtu.be/UaEvbRAsEZ4

as promised

Some nice charges there Jeff.

Don't laugh, but it never occurred to me to use a tiller extension if I get a seat. Obvious when you see it!

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Some nice charges there Jeff.

Don't laugh, but it never occurred to me to use a tiller extension if I get a seat. Obvious when you see it!

Ha ha yes what it also does I’ve found is to support my arm less fatigue on the shoulder and throttle grip too. I’ve got a decent lock to starboard which I think will be ok for normal passage the seat is easy enough to move out the way if not, if it’s not enough lock I will make a waist shape on the backrest uprights to give more lock if that makes sense

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

All good at this end thanks. Not done much at all this year boat wise. Combination of poor weather & daughter moving house, & landing me with a load of “dad jobs”. Hoping to get up west Scotland later in the year but it’s weather dependent as usual.

Always a job to do, weather been crap up the west we had to shorten out trip and change route so we could run ahead of 30 mph wind’s coming in on the Friday

[jeffstevens763@g]

my latest creation inspired by Donny Wilcox [gurnard] in my 70's now it gets increasingly harder to carry camping kit up boulder strew beaches Donny got fed up with ticks and built a more elaborate tent than mine but this is simple and cheap. an extendable ridge pole onto an A frame at the stern and single pole at the bow, 3 x 3.6 m tarp draped across and secures by bungee to the boat handles nipped at the bow with a single tie cord leaving ventilation and a curtain at the stern to prevent rain entering with the top allowed to drop down again for ventilation. my bed is on top of closed cell foam 4 inch thick and foam cushions the same thickness with my air mattress on top with sleeping bag. cooking will be ashore for obvious reasons.







https://youtu.be/ag8KqxQibi4?si=qqQ5iSSAjQS2xxml

[Fenlander]

Good work Jeff. I see you went for the full 2-bed maisonette style.

[Pikey Dave]

Impressive, just need to try it out now

[Steve509926]

Looks great Jeff

[jeffstevens763@g]

Thanks lads hope the bed keeps my back from hurting the main thing that stops me doing more boating. Hoping to get up the west this month.

Check out Donny’s YouTube video too

[jeffstevens763@g]

https://youtu.be/Kqm_942F2D4?feature=shared

The tarp has been on a month now and worked really well and dry but the 270 gsm material is a bit stiff and awkward to erect. So I bought a bush craft tarp from lomo water sports £40 delivered its very light weight with a 3000 mm hydro static head. Size is 3x4.5m that means I don’t need the end cover I made so all in one, I used the tie down loop on the tarp with bungee and only had to fit 4 eyelets. The poles and ridge pole have stayed the same. Hoping the weather plays ball so I can get up north to try it out.

I’ve upgraded my bed to a fishing bed I already had taking the front legs off where it rested on the 43ltr fuel tank still using the air mattress on top so it’s warmer and a pod sleeping bag which has more room that a mummy bag or my other 4 season bag.

The poles are ex British army tent poles and the ridge is a window cleaning pole which I already had you could use the tent poles as a cheaper option.