My 1st Boat

Paul_Warren · 23 July 2020, 20:52

Evening guys, I picked up my Excel Volaire 390 today, took a while to pump up with the pump it came with (electric one now ordered) but I’m really happy with it. I got them to fit the transom wheels as I really didn’t fancy doing it myself and they didn’t charge much for doing it.
I’m looking to get it on the river Nene on Sunday to start breaking the engine in, any tips/advice would be appreciated before heading off to Devon in a couple of weeks. It’s a big lump to carry about but I should be fine setting it up at the back of my van and wheeling it to the launching site.

I’ve been reading with interest old posts about what kit I should carry, and I’m itching to get going really.

Paul.

(Struggling to upload pictures from my iphone)??

Oldman2 · 23 July 2020, 21:13

Time to change your info from "no boat" now then Paul, well done on the purchase. Hope you have many hours of fun in Devon. Nice boat, just too heavy for me to manage.

Paul_Warren · 23 July 2020, 21:23

Thanks, all updated. Looking forward to giving everyone some updates ��

Steve509926 · 23 July 2020, 22:58

Have to agree with Oldman2, I really fancied the Volaire 390 but it's just a bit to big/heavy for me, such a shame but it's one of the penalties of getting older! If you've ordered an electric pump that fits into the aux/cigarette lighter in your van, you may wish to get an extension for it. I struggled today with the length of the flex on my pump when I inflated my SD360,couldhavedone with an extra 2 metres.
Where are you going to in Devon?

Paul_Warren · 23 July 2020, 23:18

Hi Steve, we usually go down to Dartmouth. Been going for years. Had use of a small zodiac years ago and I got hooked, got my own now though.
Looking forward to getting our young kids involved.
Paul

Fenlander · 23 July 2020, 23:36

Exciting times Paul... that should be a great outfit. Look forward to seeing some pics and hearing all about it. Do you have a particular Devon destination/launch point booked?

Pikey Dave · 24 July 2020, 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul_Warren

Evening guys, I picked up my Excel Volaire 390 today, took a while to pump up with the pump it came with (electric one now ordered)......

I bought one of Terry’s Sevylor pumps. Nice little pump, but being single stage it’s sloooow. It takes around an hour to blow up the 390. I bought one of the Ruitix types off Amazon & it’s much quicker. I run both pumps now, I plug the Sevylor one into the air floor & let it chug away & use the Ruitix for the tubes. I blow all the tube sections up to the low pressure cut off point with the Ruitix, then set the HP cut off point & start with the bow section. By the time that’s done, the Sevylor has finished the floor. Takes about 25mins now.

Steve509926 · 24 July 2020, 09:26

Hi Paul, I'm going to Devon myself first week in Sept staying near Slapton Sands.
Any tips where to launch, places to visit - in the SIB of course, good pubs for lunch would be most appreciated.
I've had a look at launching at Hope Cove which looks nice and probably a little quieter than Dartmouth or Salcombe, but I would suspect parking would be a problem at the height of the season.

Richxlt · 24 July 2020, 10:31

Stayed at Slapton Sands last summer. Dittisham was a great spot for the Dart. Ferry boat inn! We had paddleboards not a sib though, but drove through the car park and parked on the shore. Nice and quiet, everywhere else was mobbed.

Steve509926 · 24 July 2020, 11:14

Hi Dave, was that the Syvelor high pressure pump? I used mine on the 360 yesterday and considering it was the first time I've Inflated I thought it was pretty quick, just over an hour. Reckon it would be 30 mins next time now I know what I'm doing.

Steve509926 · 24 July 2020, 11:15

Hi Rich, was there a slip at Dittisham, or is it straight of the shore?

Pikey Dave · 24 July 2020, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Hi Dave, was that the Syvelor high pressure pump? I used mine on the 360 yesterday and considering it was the first time I've Inflated I thought it was pretty quick, just over an hour. Reckon it would be 30 mins next time now I know what I'm doing.

Yup, that’s the one. Little blue jobby.

Richxlt · 24 July 2020, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Hi Rich, was there a slip at Dittisham, or is it straight of the shore?

Straight in by the car park, Google maps sat view will show it

ballsy · 24 July 2020, 23:23

Hope Cove slip is a good option. It is by the old RNLI station and parking should be fine. Last summer, I pulled in just at top of slip and used electric pump to inflate and get ready, with no bother from anyone else using the slip. It is shallow at low tide so be careful, but in good weather will allow your to explore the coast in the region.

Steve509926 · 24 July 2020, 23:52

Thanks for the info Ballsy, it's always good to hear from first hand experience.