Honwaver T38 or Elling 350? - Page 4

Mattster · 28 July 2021, 19:07

I think the site I am hosting the images on is having a bit of a moment - hopefully will come back again, but I can't see them either at the moment!
Yes, I like the hidden design a lot, but to get enough clearance to allow the possibility of bigger (260mm) wheels, I had to mount them very low. I think it will be OK, but the bottoms of the bracked are almost inline with the bottom of the hull, so there might be a bit of a rooster tail there (although not at my speeds probably!). We'll see.. I think this design would be perfect with bigger wheels and a slightly longer bracket assembly, so they could be mounted a little further up, but hopefully good enough as is.

Mattster · 28 July 2021, 19:46

Oh yeah, and I built myself a stand for the motor as well last week. It ain't pretty, but it does seem plenty strong:

gittygoat · 29 July 2021, 17:48

Great timing Mattster, I've just ordered the same boat and wheels day before yesterday! Could you tell me the best thickness hdpe to use on transom so I can order that too?
Was a difficult decision between this and Elling for me too!

Mattster · 29 July 2021, 18:35

Congrats on the new boat!
10mm was sufficient, but only just, so I wouldn't go thinner. I would guess that they are all a little different at the bottom tho, one side of mine would probably have been OK with 5mm but the bracket is just about touching on the other side.

Fenlander · 29 July 2021, 18:59

Hi gg and welcome to the forum. Good to have new boats and new blood here.

Look forward to hearing how you like it.

gittygoat · 29 July 2021, 19:22

Thanks for the info Mattster. looking forward to getting out on the new one Fenlander (delivery tomorrow) and getting an outboard upgrade when availability improves!

Gary S · 30 July 2021, 19:11

Mattster/gittygoat, I can feel a gathering coming on here!

gittygoat · 31 July 2021, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary S

Mattster/gittygoat, I can feel a gathering coming on here!

Once I've got my launching wheels delivered and fitted (and make sure I can manage this heavier set up) I could be up for that!

Gary S · 31 July 2021, 23:11

Let’s make it happen. Could be a bit of fun and who knows, may catch a fish or two!

Mattster · 01 August 2021, 08:07

Definitely up for that, although I may struggle to keep up with my 6 on the back!

Wish me luck - heading out for maiden voyage and shake down cruise in about an hour..

Gary S · 01 August 2021, 09:53

Enjoy. It wouldn’t be a race but you will be fine anyway.

I won’t get out until next weekend earliest and then subject to weather!

Mattster · 01 August 2021, 18:21

Weather's still looking a bit dodgy for next weekend Gary, but things can change! Monday/Tuesday following look OK though, and good tides as well.

Christened the Honwave today with a shake-down cruise on Chichester harbour with a friend of mine. We did bring the rods, but didn't expect too much with today's very small tide (we got that bit right!).

All went surprisingly well. Boat inflated on the slipway at Itchenor in about 15 mins, and loaded up with gear. I had the fishfinder on boat, mounted on the seat (I nicked this idea from someone on here, but can't remember who - sorry!). I had the transducer on a length of wood, to clamp to the transom - the idea being to find the best position before committing to the final mounting. This proved a good idea, as the best position I found today was nowhere near where I was planning to put it (in either vertical or horizontal axes).

Engine behaved very well, although took 3-4 pulls at the start of the day it was starting with a single pull for much of the rest. With the engine being new, it was on break-in protocol for the day, which meant 2 hours of sub-50%, followed by the same but with an occasional minute of WOT. Speed wise, we were pottering along at about 10kmph at half throttle, and WOT gave a maximum reading of 15kmph (8 knots), although that may have been somewhat tide assisted. So not fast, and perhaps a little slower than I was hoping for, but this boat was always intended to be a movable fishing platform rather than a speed machine, and so it is. It will be interesting to see how it goes one-up, and if getting properly on the plane is possible.

Boat wise, it was very comfortable, even through some very confused wake chop when we had about 50 boats all going in directions around us (it was busy in the main channel!). Floor certainly had a bit of flex, and when I checked the pressure at the end of the day it was about 11psi vs the required 11.6. I wonder if that was enough to make any difference? Next time I'll check after a few minutes on the water, and top up if necessary.

Not much more to say really, other than everything went as well as could be expected and we had a nice pint afterwards in the Ship - also the rain stayed away, until we had just got back to shore!

Here's a few pics (this is my mate, not me in the picture):

Gary S · 01 August 2021, 19:06

Brilliant and looks very smart! 8knts in the harbour is max anyway but likewise, I’m not about speed. I also mount my fish finder on the seat although as I’m now spoilt with Borika fasten points may well buy a FF platform at some point. I’ve made a bracket/fixing to strap around one of the sponsons: not sure how it will work but time will tell. Good excuse for not finding the fish though!

Just been looking at the forecast and yep, looking iffy next weekend. I’ll see what’s in the work schedule for the following Monday/Tuesday and come back to you. I’m off up north tomorrow for three days for my nephews wedding so it will be towards the end of the week before I know.

Boat looks great though and looking forward to meeting up soon.

Mattster · 01 August 2021, 19:19

Thanks Gary. Yeah, following Monday and Tuesday look like a good weather/tide combo, although the former might change..

As far as the sounder on the seat goes, it works well as a mount but unfortunately I think it will have to go. The issue is that the seat isn't in a great position to drive from, and is rather hard on the posterior! I prefer to sit on the tubes, and I found myself sitting on the tube with legs either side of the seat - not ideal. So I'm glad I mounted the sounder in a non-destructive way, and will now look into a way of getting it the top of the tubes. I think the seat will still come in useful at the front, when taking the family out. If the weather holds, this might even happen on Tuesday - perhaps a trip around Thorney island to try and see the seals.

Gary S · 01 August 2021, 20:04

Just greedy but I’ve got two (padded) seats!�� I prefer to helm sitting on the tube although Fenlander changed his ‘norm’ and sat on the seat which he liked. Not sure until I’ve tried it.

Tuesday looking good with gentle winds: shame I’m not here but enjoy. Hope you see the seals…although they may be busy catching bass as they have finished the flat fish! Seriously, I had one so close last time I was out I could have patted it! Came in to be nosy whilst I was drifting. Your kids will love it! Enjoy.

Fenlander · 01 August 2021, 20:53

>>> Fenlander changed his ‘norm’ and sat on the seat which he liked.

Yep I've long argued for the tube option... until the Elling.... because previously cushionless seats were hard and never quite in the right place... but the ability to put the seat in the correct place for you and the excellent cushions were a game changer. Something I've replicated on the Aerotec with the Bengar sliding seat and thick cushion.

Well done getting out Matt.... I like the look of the updated Honwave range. In my experience you should just get to plane one up but two up is a big ask.

gittygoat · 03 August 2021, 13:34

So it didn't sink then!
How did the launch wheels fare?
Thanks for the pics and write up.

Mattster · 03 August 2021, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by gittygoat

So it didn't sink then!
How did the launch wheels fare?
Thanks for the pics and write up.

No indeed!
Launch wheels are great so far. I was a little worried that they might be too small, so I have made sure to mount them with enough clearance for bigger if needed (a £30 fix), but so far I don't think they will be. Itchenor is shingle (hard shingle, admitedly), and no issues there at all. I doubt I will launch in much softer, but it will be interesting to see how the wheels go on the slatted wooden ramp I plan to use in the future. From a convenience perspective, the wheels are fantastic; they go up and down extremely easily, and really "want" to get into their up or down positions with the aid of a brass spring inside. If they turn out to be as robust as they seem, they'll be great.

Popped out again today for a short run with the family (wife, two boys 9 & 11). Another run from Itchy, and this time more of a solo launch than last (a modicum of help from the family). All good again apart from a slight prop grounding on one of Chi harbours few shingle banks, when no.1 son was driving (which he loved - the driving part, anyway), but might as well get the first bit of prop damage out of the way early I guess.. my fault anyway of course, just took a bit of paint off the leading edges. Was a bit windier than forecast (isn't it always?) so we didn't go with 10 mile round trip to see the seals first up, instead just a short run up to Bosham and then back and up towards the marina to get a feel for things. The really good news is that the kids absolutely loved it, especially the 9 year old who was rather nervous beforehand! Perhaps the only slight issue remaining is that I can't get boat + family in the car at the same time. Today, my wife and one of the boys cycled down and were there before we had finished setting up, but that obviously isn't going to work for more distant launches.

Next week looking good for a midweeker and some serious fishing, if the forecast holds!

Gary S · 07 August 2021, 03:02

A mid-weeker may be possible: PM me with details. Hopefully the wind will drop by then! Would have been able to surf in Langstone Harbour when I popped down to look yesterday!

TmMorris · 07 August 2021, 09:51

Morning. Whereabouts are the seals at the moment in Chichester? Are they usually there or is this a little unusual?

My two haven't seen them in the wild yet and it would make a nice surprise.