tcm
...
Lovely writeup from magnum...but here's an alterntive view. There's some glaringly shite things about that rib, and one in particular.......
That's right - no rowlocks, and no oars on board. Ooer. Without this, one arguably shdn't use the thing any further than you can swim or hail a passer-by. A ski-rope or any rope kerzunk round the impeller, or run out of fuel and that's sort-of that. You have to be able to row the thing ashore or back from wherever you're going, even tho that mite take a few hours. I don't fancy that with little lilo paddles, singlehanded.
And where wd those lilo padles go? Well, they wd probly eat up some of the glorious space that magnum likes. But doeen't seem to be space on the floor even for the two-part ones - halfdecent (or even quarterdecent) ones won't fit across the beam and the seating plastic means they can't be lengthways, can they.
The motorised light thing is fun, but a bit of a joke really - this isn't a serious passagemaking machine, and with no oars it's gonna be scary to go out at nite - nobody can see you need help. Perhaps they shd've included NUC lights. A more practical, less techno-geeky navlite soltion at this level wd've been fine. Or at least, it's a shame they've spent time poncing around designing the motorised light stick thing which will break or rust after the first season, instead of rowlocks and storage for oars which wouldn't.
How long will a twangy sticky up lite last anyway? Our daft lot would hold on to the thing. Or worse, it mite down some damage. I like the idea of tenders in that there are failry unwreckable and safe to crump ouch land on - not this with a poky up stick. Small point.
Now, look at the pic again : - the moulded grp plastic *seems* shiny and smooth, both at stern platformette and at each rear quarter, so wet bare feet which are bound use these to jump off at play, or step in/out for boarding will slip. An easy rule for any boat builder (or user) is that any flat plastic shd be non slip. Fixable of course, after purchase.
Other minor things include that there's no stern place to put a rope except on the swim platfrom and (at night) instantly bend the motorised extendable light thingy.
Also, seems as though the painter attached to the cleat INSIDE the boat which is nice as an option but not as only option, really - an external eyelet can be useful for electirc dragging without damaging the sponsons etc.
Now, the above doesn't nec make the williams a total death trap but it does make it more of an accident trap than it needs to be. In any case, it challenges the statement that "first impressions are that it is well designed" - cos my first impressions even just looking at pix are that some basic design issues stuff is NOT well thought out, or not thought about at all.
Without rowlocks and oars, i just wouldn't buy the thing. I cd only let the kids on it and ONLY if i stayed on other boat within sight and in daylight ready in case it failed a mile out or so. You couldn't use it yerself cos your boat is the rescue boat innnit so unles another person can drive, you have to sit on mother ship and keep watch. I hope we have no sad accidents invloving people drowing trying to swim a mile inshore against light wind (no chance) cos they have no oars cos not supplied, no space and no rowlocks either.
I spose we will have to keep an eye out for poor sods who bought one of these cos if the motor won't go, they need a tow....
Conclusion: this tender is NOT RECOMMENDED in my humble opinion. Specifically, for safety's sake, I hope nobody buys one without a design rethink on the oars and smooth grp.
That's right - no rowlocks, and no oars on board. Ooer. Without this, one arguably shdn't use the thing any further than you can swim or hail a passer-by. A ski-rope or any rope kerzunk round the impeller, or run out of fuel and that's sort-of that. You have to be able to row the thing ashore or back from wherever you're going, even tho that mite take a few hours. I don't fancy that with little lilo paddles, singlehanded.
And where wd those lilo padles go? Well, they wd probly eat up some of the glorious space that magnum likes. But doeen't seem to be space on the floor even for the two-part ones - halfdecent (or even quarterdecent) ones won't fit across the beam and the seating plastic means they can't be lengthways, can they.
The motorised light thing is fun, but a bit of a joke really - this isn't a serious passagemaking machine, and with no oars it's gonna be scary to go out at nite - nobody can see you need help. Perhaps they shd've included NUC lights. A more practical, less techno-geeky navlite soltion at this level wd've been fine. Or at least, it's a shame they've spent time poncing around designing the motorised light stick thing which will break or rust after the first season, instead of rowlocks and storage for oars which wouldn't.
How long will a twangy sticky up lite last anyway? Our daft lot would hold on to the thing. Or worse, it mite down some damage. I like the idea of tenders in that there are failry unwreckable and safe to crump ouch land on - not this with a poky up stick. Small point.
Now, look at the pic again : - the moulded grp plastic *seems* shiny and smooth, both at stern platformette and at each rear quarter, so wet bare feet which are bound use these to jump off at play, or step in/out for boarding will slip. An easy rule for any boat builder (or user) is that any flat plastic shd be non slip. Fixable of course, after purchase.
Other minor things include that there's no stern place to put a rope except on the swim platfrom and (at night) instantly bend the motorised extendable light thingy.
Also, seems as though the painter attached to the cleat INSIDE the boat which is nice as an option but not as only option, really - an external eyelet can be useful for electirc dragging without damaging the sponsons etc.
Now, the above doesn't nec make the williams a total death trap but it does make it more of an accident trap than it needs to be. In any case, it challenges the statement that "first impressions are that it is well designed" - cos my first impressions even just looking at pix are that some basic design issues stuff is NOT well thought out, or not thought about at all.
Without rowlocks and oars, i just wouldn't buy the thing. I cd only let the kids on it and ONLY if i stayed on other boat within sight and in daylight ready in case it failed a mile out or so. You couldn't use it yerself cos your boat is the rescue boat innnit so unles another person can drive, you have to sit on mother ship and keep watch. I hope we have no sad accidents invloving people drowing trying to swim a mile inshore against light wind (no chance) cos they have no oars cos not supplied, no space and no rowlocks either.
I spose we will have to keep an eye out for poor sods who bought one of these cos if the motor won't go, they need a tow....
Conclusion: this tender is NOT RECOMMENDED in my humble opinion. Specifically, for safety's sake, I hope nobody buys one without a design rethink on the oars and smooth grp.
