Futura Mk 2 vs Mk3, and some other questions

[jeffstevens763@g]

Ron Hale Marine Ltd - Bombard Typhoon 420 Alu

Bit bigger boat at 6 kg more weight

A frames look crap on Sib'S better with a single pole IMO

[pumpkinking]

Originally Posted by Mel769

I would prefer a solid floor for stability and dive cylinders may need to be strapped down. Anyhow after much research I will likely go for a Quicksilver 365 HD, I would like the next size up but it might be too much to manhandle alone. I cannot find any pics of the Quicksilver Hd's with an A frame (or arch) mounted, is there a reason for this ? Anyone know if the Excel A frame can be mounted to the Quicksilver 365 ? Cheers

Based on the direction you’re headed, I’d strongly suggest an Excel vanguard 365?

Lighter boat. 10cm Wider internal width, which for diving kit I’d imagine would be invaluable? Also cheaper, and Steve and I can attest the Excel build quality is superb.

Steve and I have air floor Excel Volante’s, I have 330, him 360. We’re both very happy.

I’m sure the air floor would stand up to rough treatment but I understand why you want alu floor and you do have a caddy to transport so easy loading there.

I think you’d be very wise to go for a 3.6m, whatever brand. Bigger is always tempting, and of course out on the water for diving I’m sure it’ll be great. But a small, more portable and more easily wheelable boat is so wonderfully manageable.

I was advised to stay small and only go bigger down the line when you have the option to tow a trailer as a plan B if you find a 4.2m boat is too big to manage solo.

I’m SO glad I did, my 330 is small but for two of us with our gear it’s perfect and I’ve loved every minute. Dragging it up the slip at the end of the day with all our kit on board and outboard attached is just the right weight when you’re tired. I’m late twenties, moderately fit.

Hope that’s useful.

[Steve509926]

fully agree with PK

[Mel769]

Thanks for your recommendations its all v.useful to me. Think I will visit a showroom to have a look now I've a better idea of what to go for. Would be interesting to hear from others who use a 365 for diving, that might be better for another thread thou !

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Mel769

Thanks for your recommendations its all v.useful to me. Think I will visit a showroom to have a look now I've a better idea of what to go for. Would be interesting to hear from others who use a 365 for diving, that might be better for another thread thou !

I did say I had the Mercury 365 same boat it would be ok if you scale the diver numbers down

[Mel769]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

I did say I had the Mercury 365 same boat it would be ok if you scale the diver numbers down

Ah thats great, how many divers did you get in the 365, 2,3 ?

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Mel769

Ah thats great, how many divers did you get in the 365, 2,3 ?

id only go two divers and a one crew helming with a 25hp

[Mel769]

Thanks for all your help

[Dydigital]

Evening Mel,
It's difficult to know where to start with advice so I am just going to jump right in.

Moving a boat on land comes down to weight not so much the size, to that end a few points to consider.
- Alloy deck Inflatable boats like the Excel Vanguard are seperated into two bags for transportation so the weight is divided when compared to a air floor but set up is longer.
-Launching wheels are useful but you end up lifting and pulling the boat, you can move a heavier boat on a launching trolley as the weight is more balanced
-When you remove the engine first. This is easier still
-If the launching trolley has a front wheel this allows it to be rope towed up a slipway or beach.

Having owned a few sibs, and currently using a Excel Vanguard 435 and a Honwave T38 air floor I can say that about 4 metres is a good compromise. I find my Excel 435 is over the limit for launching without a trailer, in fact my Excel had extras that increased it's weight by 25kg to 115kg from the standard 85kg.

We we bought the Excel, We didn't factor in the extra weight, after a few beach launches from a box trailer we moved to a launching trolley, it worked but was still hard work. Our development has moved onto a self recovering road trailer using a electric winch. We are currently trialing a modified forestry winch setup.

[Mel769]

Originally Posted by Dydigital

Evening Mel,
It's difficult to know where to start with advice so I am just going to jump right in.

Moving a boat on land comes down to weight not so much the size, to that end a few points to consider.
- Alloy deck Inflatable boats like the Excel Vanguard are seperated into two bags for transportation so the weight is divided when compared to a air floor but set up is longer.
-Launching wheels are useful but you end up lifting and pulling the boat, you can move a heavier boat on a launching trolley as the weight is more balanced
-When you remove the engine first. This is easier still
-If the launching trolley has a front wheel this allows it to be rope towed up a slipway or beach.

Having owned a few sibs, and currently using a Excel Vanguard 435 and a Honwave T38 air floor I can say that about 4 metres is a good compromise. I find my Excel 435 is over the limit for launching without a trailer, in fact my Excel had extras that increased it's weight by 25kg to 115kg from the standard 85kg.

We we bought the Excel, We didn't factor in the extra weight, after a few beach launches from a box trailer we moved to a launching trolley, it worked but was still hard work. Our development has moved onto a self recovering road trailer using a electric winch. We are currently trialing a modified forestry winch setup.

Thanks for the reply, yeh its looking like the 365 or thereabouts will be the imit.