Boatworld Explorer 320 Air V Floor Inflatable Boat

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

If this is for solo use with the 9.8 Steve is the internal width really crucial?

I suppose your right David, it doesn't really.

[Fenlander]

I wonder about the consistency of internal measurements? Mine is give as 73cm but is that at the narrowest point between the tubes or a wider dimension where the floor meets the tubes? I've never checked. Have all the makers measured in the same place? Is the 69cm width of the T32 measured to compare with mine at 73cm.

If the Quicksilver 3.2 is just 1cm narrower than the T32 that would be fine for one as looked at from the pontoon the T32 looks quite roomy for its overall length.

Weight really is crucial managing by yourself. Something like the T38 is heavy at 48kg and many folks have said they are too bulky to carry packed single handed unless a trolley is used. And of course you can't take its floor out to help with the weight. You may have seen in stuff I've posted we pack the Aerotec with the air floor out so the main bag is then a manageable 35kg. The Elling KB350 was designed to be packed with the floor out making a similarly light main bag weight. As long as you avoid the Honwave style integral V air floors you can do this with most makes.

Probably the lightest to handle SIB I've owned is the Zodiac 3.4 Fastroller with flat air floor at 39kg inc floor. It also packed very neatly so would pass the caravan door test... as would my Aerotec actually. Combined with the Tohatsu 9.8 2T and 12l of fuel it was really easy to move about on transom wheels just using the bow handle, no bow trolley needed.

[Steve509926]

I feel a trip to SBS could be very beneficial.

[smallribber]

The T38 ie 2 we have would be very hard to move about in its bag by 1 person

[smallribber]

I have found quoted internal dimensions and some weights to be unreliable to be honest on several sibs. You need to look in real lifeto be honest. The Southampton show is very soon

[Brinormeg]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

I feel a trip to SBS could be very beneficial.

Definately seems to be a lot of contridicting specs on most of these sibs, so definately better to see them in the flesh.
Just remember take a tape measure and a bag scales, and the leave the credit card at home Steve….or at least take Diane with you….just in case

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Brinormeg

Definately seems to be a lot of contridicting specs on most of these sibs, so definately better to see them in the flesh.
Just remember take a tape measure and a bag scales, and the leave the credit card at home Steve….or at least take Diane with you….just in case

[Fenlander]

In a quiet moment I was rolling forward a few years to where Mrs F may not want to come out so much and I might be solo with our Tohatsu 9.8 2t hence pondering on what I might choose.

One name that hasn't come up yet re a super lightweight of this size is the 3D Tender VIB Twin Air. 34kg for the 3.3m model. Combined with the 26kg Tohatsu that would be a very manageable outfit. Quite like the idea of the included two sets of tube covers, white ones for very hot days.

Only downside for me is they have the older Honwave style transom tabs which restrict transom wheel choice.

Have a look...

https://www.marinesuperstore.com/ten...s3vgmdusT2lljB

More specs on this French site...

https://www.3dtender.com/the-3dtende...727-0-0-0.html

[Steve509926]

I had seen that 3D Tender David but discounted it because of the transom tabs. I don't fancy the Honwave type wheels.

[Fenlander]

No nor me really, it was just the weight looked very handy.

[Steve509926]

On paper I think I've narrowed it down to 3 :-

Unproven/but good specs - Boatworld Explorer 320

Tried & tested - Honwave T32

Outsider - Quicksilver Airdeck 320

I'll see all 3 in the flesh before I make up my mind. As this is in addition to my SD360 there's no rush.

[Steve509926]

Had a trip to the Boat Show today and have "nearly" come to a decision.

Saw the T38 again and discounted it straight away, far too much unusable space in the upswept bow, it just wouldn't suit my needs. The T32 is just too small, I'd forgotten how small it actually is.

The Quicksilver Airdeck 320 looks a good sib, but do I want another airdeck?

The Boatworld Explorer 320 really looks the part. It's big enough for what I want and light enough for what I need. The quality looks and feels good. Apart from the lack of reviews, the only downside is it's rated to a max of 15hp and 50kg. Although I'd mainly be using it with the 9.8 Tohatsu, it would be good to have the choice of using it with the 20 efi Merc. Weight wise the 20 efi wouldn't be a problem, but I'm not sure about the extra power on the transom and of course the insurance problem.

Now for the "nearly" bit.

Excel have brought out a new unannounced sib - the Explorer Pro - an updated version of the Explorer. The only one in the country is a 330 which apparently only arrived in the UK last week. The 330 is too narrow for me, however they are doing a 390 which (from the mouth of a salesman) sounds as though it is what I'm looking for. Around 45kg, 3.9 in length, 0.75m int width (bit narrow) and rated at 25hp. The quality looks and feels very, very good, and I think the price is reasonable. Excel said they will confirm all the specs by the end of the week. If the specs are what they say, and the quality is as good as the 330 I saw at the show, not only do I think it's probably the sib for me, I think it is a direct competitor for the Honwave T38, with the quality to match (or even better) at a cheaper price.

I'll post an update when Excel confirm the specs.

[Fenlander]

Interesting Steve, looks the part at under a grand. It almost looks too chunky to weigh as little as 45kg for a 3.9m.

Good to have another option.

[Steve509926]

Exactly my thoughts, hence the caveat "from the mouth of a salesman" although it is narrower than the current Explorer and they have lost the trim tabs , so it may have shed 10kg.

[Brinormeg]

Will keep an eye on this one Steve.
Is it a separate air floor like yours? If so, that could be another plus in its favour, as the weight and bulk could be split?
If that weight is correct, how does the rest of the specs compare with the Volaire in real world usable deck space, tube size material thickness etc ?

Just noticed is that quite large trim tabs bits like the old t38 version?

[Steve509926]

Hi Brin, I'll confirm all the specs once Excel have got back to me.
It's not a separate deck, it's just like the T38 deck. It definitely isn't as wide as the Volaire which, after seeing it again is a beast! I think tube diameter is 45/46 cms. Not sure about the thickness of the material (perhaps that's where the wright has been saved?)
No trim tabs, they have gone.
First impressions re: quality are very good, up there with my SD360, which I think is excellent.
It is on pre-order and they are expecting delivery Feb/March next year.
I am just hoping that the confirmed specs are what I am looking for, especially the weight and internal width.

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Interesting Steve, looks the part at under a grand. It almost looks too chunky to weigh as little as 45kg for a 3.9m.

Good to have another option.

I agree I can’t see them building that at 45kg. But somthing to watch. Off to the show today so will have a look at what they have

[Fenlander]

Is there a danger of mission creep here Steve? If the idea was smaller/lighter for solo use to go with the already purchased great example of the holy grail 9.8 then do you really need to look at a 3.9m? Particularly if I'm right that the weight of 45kg is an error and it might end up being 50kg or maybe more in real life. Whatever the actual weight a 3.9 packed up will be a lot of bulk to try and move single handed.

As Brin mentioned the ability to pop a separate air floor out is such a benefit and the Explorer Pro doesn't have that ability. Remember even at 3.8m my Aerotec with the floor out, our default pack these days, is only 35kg so very manageable particularly as there is so much less bulk with a removed floor. The Elling KB350 had the same ability and light weight manageability, I didn't get on with mine as a "family" boat but I'd revisit one for solo with a 9.8.

And you mention liking the idea of anything you buy taking your 20hp if you wanted, in truth then you have just replicated the outfit you already have surely?

The other two boats which I found light and compact to move, plus going really well with a smaller motor, were the Zodiac flat air floors in 3.4m and 3.6m. The 3.6m being the best.

Just a few thoughts to chuck in.

[Steve509926]

You certainly have a point there Fen, maybe mission creep has set in. Obviously I will be waiting until I get the specs for the Excel and if it is over 45kg I will be discounting it.

[smallribber]

Me and my friend lifted the Excel they had on the stand. I seemed very heavy to me. I think it was the Scout but not sure of the length. Their HDPE boats they had on their stand were very interesting. I was offered a sea trial down on the pontoons and for some reason I said No ��*♀️. Now I wish I had have given one a go