Barry Oakley on the sand bank off shore from Liverpool Sailing Club
We regulars like to call it LSC. Its just the way we roll.
THIS photo refused to post up (IMAC) 10 times trying every which way etc,
until I transferred it from phone to iPad which then uploaded it first go.
Strange as each time the "little blue bar" shot across (as normal) but left a blank screen EVERY time but never with any other
photo uploads taken at same time.
Response to PMs---
YES- My otter carried 2.5/3 people PLUS huge tool box, and 40 litres of shells finest brew with 10 litres for "others", and
started on the button, and performed superbly.
Comparisons---
1 Carries three in dry safety, can rescue TWO others at once!
2 Allows me to STAND holding onto windscreen with my eyes 7 FEET high, allowing me to see for a very long way.
On sand / mud banks this allows not only easy avoidance of gullies, (death) BUT this week end allowed me to find a stream out of a land locked lake area down through sand banks into the main eeesssttwwairie.
NB this is usually an "estuary" near London.
I could then safely trundle down to sea in this stream, but also importantly,
stand looking around for landmarks to check out exactly where this exit/entry was by standing HIGH. AKA "tippy toes" I then motored away 300 yrds returning to check i was still able to find the spot.
THIS aspect of the craft I find indersponserasable as an adjunct to safety in these testing environments. Squatting inches off the water is no way to keep a look out. IMHO
3 I can stay "above hump" around the 8 MPH and 12-14 is still nice, tho cruising feels best/economical / quietest around 20-25mph.
4 I continue to be impressed by the lump that is my Briggs and Stratton "35BHP" (joke) Economical.
It is smooth and old, (just like me?)
5 WE don't need to labour the point of its inert "float ability", even if an old person forgets his bung-----(me)
Oh I think we CAN labour THAT POINT! 6 Head wind progress and resistance to side gusts is best described as "challenging" ---i.e. it CANNOT be as good as tiny frontal area narrow, low, small craft. "Thats agin the larze o fysiks capn."
On the Saturday late afternoon we headed back DOWN stream into approx 20 mph (gusting 30mph?). I managed by using the gentlly sloping mud banks to glance off- and each bounce bumped up my speed an extra 2mph so when speed was falling I knew I could always "bounce the bank",,,,, until the bank became a sand WALL with breaking waves and or ROCKS as I rounded a promontory. (Buddied to Barry in front)--- I had to glance out to mid estuary across wind to regain speed and turn slowly back as Barry kindly doubled backed (to check on me) as we had disappeared! HOWEVER--- Sparkle did not complain even tho FULL throttle had been engaged for about 30 mins SOLID!!! THREE up is a "big ask". (what a crap phrase). The considerable side wall that is Otters also means you have to be aware of side gusts, and weather cocking in high winds can make for testing approaches to land especially in down wind times.
7 THE BRAKE. Oh the brake! SO useful going down mud/sand flats controlling forward speed, but also allowing better pointability, i.e. a side breeze can (at this time) be shrugged OFF i.e. you can drive straight rather than side drifting for miles.
"Down wind dumps
are a joy so an unexpectedly fast approaching land mass (with wind behind you) can be slowed RIGHT down with total steerage, and engine revs left for lift and rudder authority. The old / infirm /unwary can be caught out easily. NOT with this brake, i.e. it covers my mistakes. Bliss.8 Low noise signature. DEFFO great. Low and less whiney.
9 The high sides give the occupants a feeling of increased safety, (as well as ACTUALLY increasing it!
10 Aesthetics.
Well this is in the eye etc, and onlookers refer to it as "ugly (bagocrap)" others the best looking craft out there. Im in the middle, but find its reliability to be IMMMMMENSERALLY attractive.
Sparkle gets an affectionate pat after each and every cruise. She is 'loyal" and deserves it
22 miles covered as the Sunday was VERY windy and forecast to approach 1000mph in the afternoon, so be "begrudgingly ate more bacon BBQ sarnies with lashings of tea to mirror the previous nights BBQ of burgers sozzos and salad. Beer and whine flowed free from the glorious Sue on bar duty.
£15 each including M/H.
Thanks as ever to Danny (Gary Baldie)!!!! and everyone at LSC Phil- and "wing commander Mike"
THIS IS BARRY OAKLEYS CRAFT below.
5 BHP lift and 20 BHP thro 3 bladed thrust fan. BAG and finger skirt carries him and Charlotte in quiet reliable comfort.
Rob Trussler designed the skirt apparently which transforms the capability of this craft. Great to see him again after the HCGB 50 anniversary (3 years ago?)