Any experience of Elling KB 350 Trimaran?

Pecheur Anglais · 18 September 2019, 20:48

I have been thinking of getting a SIB, light enough to launch and recover on transom wheels by myself. It will be used mainly for solo fishing jaunts but sometimes with family.

Looking around the boat show the usual suspects, Honwaves, etc were all there but the man on the Boatworld stand was gushing praise on the Elling KB 350 Trimaran with some impressive claims:

[I][I]"The unique patented design of this boat makes it super stable and super fast. The secret lies in the floor section, a large central keel with trim tabs on the oversize 50cm tubes makes for a rock solid platform.

In addition, the large centre keel helps wash out and cavitation from the outboard. This patented feature allows this boat to reach a speed of 30 mph with only a 6 HP, outstanding performance.

Spacious inner cockpit size of 2700 x 700 mm gives ample space for 2 fishermen. Class-leading payload capacity, 800 kg on this boat !!

Standard equipment includes.

9 Borika mounts for endless possibilities for fitting fishing rods, bait table, A-frame and many more.
Webbing grab line on the deck, rope grab lines on the internal tube sides.
Pressure relieve valve
2 padded seats.
Oars located on inside of tubes c/w Borika oarlocks.
Metal bow handle tow point
Auto bailer.
This craft is the ultimate !!

Specifications;

Weight : 40kg
Length : 350cm
Width : 170cm
Tube Diameter: 52cm
Capacity : 4 People / 800kg
Floor: Air Matt with a clever keel and anti-skid treatment. Extremely rigid floor unlike most air matt boats
Material: 5 Layer PVC 1100D
Seats: 2 Sliding Seats
Max Engine: 15hp
5 Year Warranty"

I must admit, it looks ideal for my needs but sounds too good to be true. My biggest concern is its hull design is quite unusual and although he says it would be great in choppy water, my thoughts are he is a salesman so he would say that, wouldn't he.

A search on here and a search for on-line reviews found nothing, so I thought I must ask the question, have any of you tried this on the water and what did you think of it?

Fenlander · 18 September 2019, 21:57

I'd never heard of this make.. is it Chinese or Russian or Polish?

Had a good look into it though and the claims re performance look over impressive. The Gurnard on here does really well to see 15kts with a lightweight 2.75m SIB one-up powered by 6hp... but a claim of 26kts from a 6hp is going some.

I'd not take one jot of notice of the salesman's claims.... see if he'll lend you a demo boat to verify them if he's that confident..

Pecheur Anglais · 18 September 2019, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

I'd never heard of this make.. is it Chinese or Russian or Polish?

Had a good look into it though and the claims re performance look over impressive. The Gunrnard on here does really well to see 15kts with a lightweight 2.75m SIB one-up powered by 6hp... but a claim of 26kts from a 6hp is going some.

I'd not take one jot of notice of the salesman's claims.... see if he'll lend you a demo boat to verify them if he's that confident..

Thanks for your reply. I think he said it was Ukrainian. I like your idea of a sea trial.

Fenlander · 31 October 2019, 10:55

Thought this was the best thread to add to.

By chance came across the Ukraine guy on YouTube who is behind Elling boats. Spent a bit of time on Google translate to read the questions/answers.

His claim for speed is far more realistic for this KB350. He says...

"The boat is protected by copyright. With a mass of 40 kg, it boasts a cockpit with a length of 270 cm and a width of 70 cm. Motor max 15 hp. Speed under the engine 15 with loading 80kg - 45km.h"

So he actually reckons 28mph (or 24kts) with a 15hp which is quick for the hp but much more realistic. I wonder why Boatworld have rounded that up to 30mph with an engine less than half the size?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yRAyJudfsA

Pecheur Anglais · 31 October 2019, 12:22

That looks far more realistic, thanks for the update.

I have assumed the man from Boatworld was himself, mislead. Or maybe something got lost in translation. Anyway, it looks an interesting boat but not as special as the claims. After your comments and those of other experienced sibbers, I decided not to buy it and have gone for a quicksilver instead.

Grayskull · 31 October 2019, 13:45

I had a look at this boat at Boatworld last week. I must say I was quite impressed. I'm looking for a sib at the moment for fishing and this ticked quite a lot of boxes with it already having a lot of attachments for rod holders, sounders, anchor mounts etc. It would be for inland sea use.

Does anyone have any views on the cat design for handling chop etc....

Edit...

I've just spotted the other thread... but if anyone has anything to add please feel free to do so.

jeffstevens763@g · 31 October 2019, 15:51

have you had a look at the excel range?

https://www.excel-inflatables.co.uk/index.php

the 390 a bit heaver but more room
https://www.excel-inflatables.co.uk/...volaire390.php

Grayskull · 31 October 2019, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

have you had a look at the excel range?

https://www.excel-inflatables.co.uk/index.php

the 390 a bit heaver but more room
https://www.excel-inflatables.co.uk/...volaire390.php

I have looked at the Excel's but they are just to heavy. I could do with something under 40kg.

jeffstevens763@g · 31 October 2019, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grayskull

I have looked at the Excel's but they are just to heavy. I could do with something under 40kg.

https://www.foxschandlery.com/waveli...ium-hull-2-79m

Pecheur Anglais · 01 November 2019, 09:54

My quicksilver 2.9m alu-rib weighs 41kg. Will be used solo, so enough space for me. Considering adding attachments such as rod holders, etc once I am used to the boat and know exactly where I want to fit them.
Some people have said you need at least 3.1m for sea worthiness, but it is fairly sheltered where I will use it and I've also read on here of others using sub 3m in choppy conditions. I'm sure it's going to be more comfortable than my kayak!

Grayskull · 01 November 2019, 12:09

Thanks fellas, but both of those options are too small and I'm looking for a SIB, around 3.5.

jeffstevens763@g · 01 November 2019, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grayskull

Thanks fellas, but both of those options are too small and I'm looking for a SIB, around 3.5.

look on this site quite a few boats but i think at 3.5 you will need to be air deck or go for something like a bombard AX compact rib 3m to get near that weight of 3.5 m

Ron Hale Marine Ltd - Seago Inflatable Boats

we use one of these at work
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-ZODIA...oAAOSwKrhVXG4P

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Inflatabl....c100005.m1851

Grayskull · 04 November 2019, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

look on this site quite a few boats but i think at 3.5 you will need to be air deck or go for something like a bombard AX compact rib 3m to get near that weight of 3.5 m

Ron Hale Marine Ltd - Seago Inflatable Boats

we use one of these at work
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-ZODIA...oAAOSwKrhVXG4P

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Inflatabl....c100005.m1851

Thanks for these. I'll have a good look at them.