Hello from Buxton (uk)

[Jonny7187]

Hi,

My name is Jon and have been reading posts for a while and thought it about time to join and hopefully join some of you on the water 😃.
I have a Zodiac Futura mk2 with a brand new Evinrude 50hp Etec (literally just replaced an old etec that decided to leave us stranded -luckily only on windermere!)
My wife and I try to use the boat as frequently as possible (mostly windermere and the menai lauching from the excellent Ty Calch) we do a bit of skiing, some fishing and general crusing about.
Would be great to hear from you if you regularly head out on the menai as we would be keen to learn the best ways to tackle some of the trickier sections so we can venture a bit further afield when the weather permits.
Look forward to seeing you all out and about 😀

[Striker]

Hi Jon,

How do you find Windemere these days? I’ve not been on the lake since the 10mph limit came in.

I’m a regular user of the straights and have been with my various boats over the last 30 years. My current boat (RIB) is stored at Y’Felinhelli.

The straights are beautiful and there is alway a sheltered section so you can enjoy being on the water in most conditions.

Which bit is worrying you?

The Swellies can be a bit daunting, but fine if you follow the marks and have power. (You need to choose your transit time carefully in a yacht even under engine power).

The Caernarfon bar can get a bit rough when the tide pushes past any incoming swell and the channel does move around a bit after rough weather.

But you don’t have much draft, and if you take your time on the shallow parts, or don’t cross at low water if it’s of real concern you should be fine.

[Jonny7187]

Hi Striker,

Thanks for the info.

Windermere is okay, the 10knt limit definately reduces the appeal though. We can just about ski/ kneeboard ot that speed but imagine a heavier more powerful boat would be less fun (unless you want to wake surf/skate/board?) Regularly see the rangers following the wake boats up and down the lake.

We had some great nights on the lake though, even camped on one of the small islands which was ace!

I guess the swellies are my main concern, but its mixed with a bit of resevation after our previous engine let us down, which would have been alot worse on the menai with the strong currents. We do carry flares and phones but no radio at present (as I dont have a license.) Initially got into boating as part of the camping and caravaning boating club with my folks and would always be out with other boats, but my wife and I purchased our boat last year and think it would be great to get to know a few people who would maybe like to venture out togeather..safety in numbers and all ��..we are happy to offer our boat/skis/toys to anyone who wants a splash ��.

[Fenlander]

Hello and welcome to the forum from me too.

That's a very quick and capable outfit you have... in truth wasted at 10kts on the lakes. I couldn't resist heading to the coast every time.

You've shown great OB brand loyalty to buy another Etec having been let down by the old one on the water... how old was the original... electronic or mechanical failure?

David

[Jonny7187]

Hi David,

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Yeah the boat is great for what we want it for, bit bumpy in choppy water but we dont venture out when its too rough. A proper Rib will be on the cards at some point I imagine.
The old engine was 10/11 years old, only had 158 hours on it though and I had it serviced a year ago.

unfortunately it would appear the EMM was the culprit and over £1000 to replace which made us consider a new motor.

Evinrude currently offer a 10 year warranty which sealed the deal for us as after reading up and seeking advise on engines it seems the Etecs are fairly tough to beat on performance - it certainly shoves our boat along nicely and wont break a sweat dragging skiiers out the water.
I like our dealer too (liverpool based) and having had a good read up about which engine is best they all seem to have mixed opinions across all brands.

Interested to hear what the general concesus is on Etec motors though and if many people are running them?

All the best

Jon

[Vipermax80]

Hi Jon

We are probably quite close to you, Cheddleton Leek, parents up at Flash.

Keep our current Boat at Ty Calch and have in the past owned both a futura MIIc and and a MII, great little boats.

Currently having to adopt a slightly slower driving style as we introduce our 17m old daughter to boating, so happy to take a slower cruise down the straits.

Wakeboarding and skiing also much enjoyed (baby sitters permitting).

David

[Jonny7187]

Hi David,

Not too far from us at all, it would be great to join you on the water sometime. I'm sure it wont be too long before your back up to full speed
we just have our dog with us most of the time, but she is quite happy in the boat, unless its very choppy!
Chris is great at White cottage, when we did our PB L2 course our instructor recommended him and now we rarely venture elsewhere when heading to N.wales.

Actually planning on heading out this weekend on Saturday as forecast looks to be calm, test out the new motor properly! if you or anyone else is heading out feel free to come and say hello.

[Jonny7187]

Here is our usual crew...My wife, Sarah and the dog (Chequers)

[Striker]

Originally Posted by Jonny7187

Here is our usual crew...My wife, Sarah and the dog (Chequers)

Hi Jon, we are planning to be down this weekend if all goes well, but more likely Sunday.

Either way now that I know what your rig looks like I’ll keep an eye out for you and give you a wave. (Not just the wake type)

If our paths do cross, I’d be happy to escort you through the straights, or at least talk you through it. Easier than typing it out on here.

You won’t miss us as we’re an unusual rig with a t top and radar arch. Usually four of us (son and daughter) and our two dogs.

Don’t be afraid to flag us down.

The dogs and daughter ‘tolerate’ it to be honest as you can see. (She’s reached that age.[emoji849]) but my son would love to learn to wake board.

Photos from last bank holiday - one of the hottest days of the year yet she was cold - give me strength!

[Striker]

Don’t know why the pictures have doubled up? Blooming mobile phones.

[Vipermax80]

Jon

We should be there on Saturday, new prop to test.

Will keep an eye out for you.

Cheers

David

[Jonny7187]

Great stuff! Look forward to saying hello if we see you on the water this weekend, we will be prop testing also...have a 17" prop that came with the new motor (old engine had 15") but different gearing in the new models so fingers crossed we have the revs in the right ball park. Carry a spare 15" 4 Blade too which I bought out of curiosity to see what effect it would have on the boat (yet to properly test that too yet)

Looks like a very tidy boat that, bet it shifts with a 140! Happy to teach your Lad how to wakeboard (only issue is I sold my board a couple of years ago - I found it to be hard work in all but the calmest waters as i would spent the entire time absorbing bumps rather than enjoying it.
We mainly use a kneeboard at the moment (I modified my old board to help with the deep water starts for some of our friends who wanted to try it for the first time). We also have a Obrien rocker tube for anyone seeking an upper body work out.

[Jonny7187]

Originally Posted by Vipermax80

Jon

We should be there on Saturday, new prop to test.

Will keep an eye out for you.

Cheers

David

Hi David,

Was nice to meet you on Saturday, hope you managed to get your boat propped correctly : ). We had a good day testing our new engine. Went up to the menai bridge then back and out past the sand banks to a little cove (i think its called pirates cove) then a little bit of fishing - didn't want to venture too far just yet.
If you are headed out and dont mind a bit of company (or waiting for us to catch up) it would great to to a bit a trip somewhere if conditions are good, we will try and post on here if we are headed out anytime too. Sarah got a bit of video on the Go Pro when you passed us...looked like we were stood still! Haha! Will see if i can send it over to you at some point.
All the best

Jon

[Jonny7187]

pilots cove* not pirates

[Vipermax80]

Jon

Boat propping didn't go so well, but you live and learn!

Glad to hear the Zodiac is working well, you can get a fair way on a fine day, Ty Coch next.

Don't get to use the boat as much as we would like, but should be down for a few weeks in August. If we get any decent weather, more than happy to have a run out with you guys.

Best

David