Takacat 380LX and Tohatsu 20hp

[CRF999]

Yer gonna have ta wait a bit longer then.

Its been tipping it down the last few days.
At least when you do get here you will not have to push out over acres of dry rock and then stinky slime. The water level is up by a foot or so, almost ! at normal level.

Regards Clive

[Tyger]

Thanks, thats good to know.
It may even end up being spring.....m that will drive me daft lol.

[Tyger]

Well, In August I bought my new Takacat 380lx, (£1950) which I haven't got wet yet due to the delay on the engine, but looking on line at the Takacat uk supplier, it is now £2500 . How lucky was that, is this the same for all sibs? thats a hugh price increase, I'm sure down to brexit and covid.

[warder54]

"thats a hugh price increase, I'm sure down to brexit and covid"

Or just greedy profiteering with covid as an excuse!

[Tyger]

UPDATE...... PICTURES TO FOLLOW HOPEFULLY..........
Second inflation, first with new engine fitted, all went well and was easy, no issue lifting 20hp engine from stand to boat, do need my wife to lift prop end when going into the car, which she can do one handed, so glad I went for the 20hp.
The fuel tank plus the 5 litre spare and the box with the the garmin fish finder fitted on, all go side by side across the boat which I'm really pleased about.
The boat comes with a blow up sausage seat, but I have bought a 100 litre dry bag, put in it the hand pump, anchor, ropes tools manuel flask cool bag fishing gear etc, then blown the sausage seat up on top...... result everything I need is in and can still sit on the seat .
The biggest issue was how to mount the transponder with having no transom....... in the end I bought a strap on don't say it lol.... came from the states £56 including p&p iirc, goes around the tube, and can be flipped 180 degrees out of the water when beaching if needed, also as its at the side of the boat no interference from bubbles or turbulence from water under the hull (not an issue on my cat) also away from engine vibration and prop wash.
I wondered if this would be useful for those who have honwaves or sibs with trim tabs????.
Sea trials start Thursday hopefully.

[Tyger]

[Tyger]

[Tyger]

[Tyger]

FIRST TRIP REVIEW.........THE GOOD......
Set up was as expected as was the launch..... we launched from Porthe Daniel at Menai Bridge and decided to head up the straits to Puffin island, the forecast was not as forecast, and 4 miles into our six miles we had a three foot swell with white caps breaking , the boat handled it well but was uncomfortable so we turned back, and had great fun surfing on the waves. I then decided to go through the notorious Swellies with its 9 knott currents , we did this several times and was good fun including going through the small arch of the bridge. We had a trip south to Carnarvon and back to finish off.
First trip out we covered 37 miles with no issues, this is the upgraded Takacat with the lowered transom bar to aid ventilation issues associated with the boat, I,m pleased to say we didn't have one episode of ventilation from 0 - 24mph. The boat was comfortable and stable with plenty of room for two. The engine now has 4 1/2 hours of running in time completed.
THE BAD........
That would be me...... as mentioned before I am a post 7 week covid ventilated coma patient, and although I managed all aspects of the day, setting up , cleaning , loading the car , etc etc, collectively it left me with 3 days of severe fatigue, I have bitten off more than I can chew buying sib , so sadly the boat and engine will be up for sale soon..

[Helphelp]

Thank you for the detailed and interesting story and so sorry it was all to much for you, but good to have tried it out.
I am considering the 380 LX but with just a 6hp to keep it all very portable .
Wish you well and continued recovery.