Farne Islands

[chipko]

After three great days messing about in and around the bay towing the family on toys, the calm water weather window beckoned our annual trip out to the nearby Farnes to see a few puffins before they depart.

As its a fair trip for our little sib we dug out the tiny 2.3hp auxiliary motor for peace of mind.

Thankfully it wasn't needed to be used in anger and both outward and inward journeys were pleasantly uneventful in calm waters at a leisurely 12 knot cruise. Not far out in real terms but always feels like an adventure in a small blow up boat.
Saw lots of puffins and plenty of seals basking on the rocks in the rising tide.



PS Last pic nicked from interweb as its a nice Farnes puffin pic.

[Fenlander]

>>>Not far out in real terms but always feels like an adventure in a small blow up boat.

Know what you mean. I think it's human nature to give some extra thought to heading out to sea even if it's a distance you'd not give a second thought if transiting that far along the shore to the next beach.

As a matter of interest given they are broadly the same size and you use the same OB what makes you take the Zodiac over Aerotec for any particular jaunt?

[chipko]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

>>>As a matter of interest given they are broadly the same size and you use the same OB what makes you take the Zodiac over Aerotec for any particular jaunt?

Good question.
Both boats eminently capable of this sort of trip and the Aerotec would give a more forgiving ride in heavier seas if you needed to push on. Always wary we are nearly 4 miles offshore at the outer Farnes and even in good conditions its a totally different ball park than messing around in the bay.
We took the Zodiac this time as it has more room with 3 on board and a nice wide flat solid alumin deck for all the kit etc. The big advantage though is it has a wider transom so we can fit the auxiliary motor rather than carry it in a bag on board. Also nice to have oars instead of the Aerotec's paddles - realise neither much use in an emergency though.
We have in the past taken both boats which is both fun and arguably safer. The 20 on the Aerotec and the 9.8 plus aux. on the Zodiac.
We also tend to tow more with the Zodiac as its a bit heavier. The Aerotec comes into its own when there is more swell and chop - lovely for playing in and around the surf zone.

[Pikey Dave]

We used to dive the Farnes from a 4m squidgy, 3 blokes & 3 sets of diving gear out to the Longstone, no problem. Saying that, I once stuffed a 6.4m osprey in the overalls on the SE point of the Longstone & completely filled her, can be an unforgiving place.


Lions led by donkeys