Excel Volante SD360 vs Honwave T38ie - The ultimate sib test

[Froglet]

I'm still hoping to come along and play, but it depends on whether I can manage to get all my kit past the groundworks around my house. I'll know tomorrow.

However even if I can make it, I'll be turning up with a boat and engine that don't quite meet the criteria for a level playing field. Namely a mark 1 T38 and a 25hp 2 stroke.

Not sure if putting the 25 on the Volante is fair (or safe), but I'm more than happy for it to be used if the group agrees.

I also don't know if my engine has had the carb mod to release its full potential 30 horses. I have nothing to compare it with, but it does seem to have a hell of a lot of poke.

[chris moody]

The Volante is rated to 20hp max, so we need a 15 or 20 hp to put on the Volante for the day @Froglet

I'm still hoping to come along and play, but it depends on whether I can manage to get all my kit past the groundworks around my house. I'll know tomorrow.

However even if I can make it, I'll be turning up with a boat and engine that don't quite meet the criteria for a level playing field. Namely a mark 1 T38 and a 25hp 2 stroke.

Not sure if putting the 25 on the Volante is fair (or safe), but I'm more than happy for it to be used if the group agrees.

I also don't know if my engine has had the carb mod to release its full potential 30 horses. I have nothing to compare it with, but it does seem to have a hell of a lot of poke.

[chris moody]

I have been unable to find anyone to lend us a suitable engine to go on the back of the Volante tomorrow, despite trying very hard to beg steal or borrow one for the last 48 hours.

Terry at Excel has very kindly loaned us a brand new boat, which is still sealed in it's original packing crate. As soon as we open the packaging, blow it up, and launch it, we have then devalued it from a new saleable sib, into a secondhand boat worth hundreds of pounds less than the new price. Because of this investment from Terry, I need to ensure that the testing is both fair and comprensive. I believe using the Volante with my 9.8hp isn't a fair or comprensive test. Swapping a 15hp or 20hp onto it for a few minutes isn't a fair test either (and lots of hassle swapping outboards). So I have no choice but to pull the Volante out of tomorrows testing and leave it sealed in it's packing crate.

I don't know if you guys want to continue with the Volaire vs T38ie test or not? That's up to you.

If we can find a 15hp or 20hp to go on the Volante we might be able to reschedule some testing for next week. If that doesn't happen I'll be returning the Volante to Terry still in it's sealed crate so he can return it to stock as a brand new boat.

Keep me informed how the tests go if you do decide to continue tomorrow.

[ChrisParish]

There are several of us planning on attending and the weather is supposed to be quite good, the tides are nice and the wind shouldn’t be too high.

So I say let’s meet up anyway, make a day of it and maybe head out to Yarmouth or even The Needles. @chris moody if no one volunteers an engine then bring your takacat and let’s have a jolly!

[harrison]

Yep, agree. We are all geared up to go so going anyway. Weather looks ok so no reason not to.

Test or no test it’s a day out on the water. What’s not to like.

See you there. Is it still a 9.30 meet?

[ChrisParish]

9:30 meet up for a 10:00 depart?

[DumperDriver]

OK so I now def. can't make the morning but we're still coming down that way tomorrow evening & overnight so might get to play out on Saturday, fingers crossed. @ChrisParish do you happen to know if the tides & wind are favourable for a Needes/Yarmouth run from Lymington on Sat.? (sorry for going slightly off topic for a min. )

[Froglet]

I'm afraid I'm a no show after all. Still don't have a way to get my stuff out of the back garden past building works. Half of it is still single scaffold boards over metre deep trenches. I'm not going to risk trying to carry the engine over that lot.

I've already taken the day off work so instead I'll carry on with re-roofing my garage while you're all out on the water. It's a good thing really. Needs to be done, but I'm a bit gutted not to be coming along. Have fun you lot.

[harrison]

Ok guys, who’s going tomorrow? Seem to recall around six were attending ChrisM’s ultimate sib test. What ya all doin??

Same time, same venue, perhaps even more fun, who knows! Could even be rebadged ‘Summer Soltice Sib Soirée’

So far only @ChrisParish and myself....which is fine, but obviously more the merrier. Can’t wait to see Chris’s new Suzi.

[sonny1]

im still coming ,