Boatworld Explorer 320 Air V Floor Inflatable Boat

[Steve509926]

I've scoured t'internet to see if there are any meaningful in-depth reviews about the Explorer 320 Air V Floor, but apart from a few lines on Boatworld's site, I can't find any.
Has anyone forum member got one or even been in one?

[Brinormeg]

Some of these boatworld sibs seem to be quite decent looking online....you after a new one?
Not a review as such but maybe help.
https://youtu.be/QjC6XfM9jGg?si=XWa12_PlW9Cqh_1L

[Steve509926]

Early days of research Brin, could be at least 12 months before I'd be looking to buy.
It looks big for such a light sib, big deck area (bigger than my SD360) great for solo use & camping. On paper it ticks a lot of boxes, not sure about a sloping deck and the max 15hp outboard.
It would be good to know how it performs with a 9.8 hanging off the back.

[Fenlander]

I guess the standard you have to work to is the long proven Honwave T32ie. I see the Boatworld explorer is some £150 cheaper a tiny bit lighter and slightly wider and undoubtedly more SAS in styling.

There is of course the standard Boatworld 330 V air floor that's cheaper than the Explorer by some £200 but very similar. Could you use the saved £200 to add mods to that which matched your needs?

Re engine power I've found every air floor SIB I've used from 3.8m down went well on a 10hp motor when you were solo and without other boats. But not great if out with those running 15/20hp motors as they would often want to cruise at a speed you'd be struggling to maintain with the engine maxed out.

[Steve509926]

It's more the usable deck area in a lighter package that appeals David.

Even though I think the specs on there website are incorrect, the Explorer is approx 1.92 sq mtrs with a squarer bow, where as the T32 is only 1.54 sq mtrs with a much sharper bow, and the BW 330 V is 1.7 sq mtrs again with a much sharper bow.
I'm also thinking the Explorer may be a dryer more stable sib as the tubes are 45cms as against 42cms of the other 2.
Those two points alone could be worth the extra £200 over the 330 Air V.
I don't think I'd be camping with others if I had this and the 9.8, I'd use it more for the solo camping trips and launching from the hard to launch places I've mentioned before.
I'd still be keeping the SD360 and the 20hp Merc for camping with others and the family holidays/days out.
Very early days, I'm just investigating the options.

[Fenlander]

The only other thing I'd consider if there is enough feedback on the Boatworld V air floors to know they don't suffer floor flex in the 3.3m length. The Honwaves are never complained about in 3.2m but going up to 3.8m there have been grumbles.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

The only other thing I'd consider if there is enough feedback on the Boatworld V air floors to know they don't suffer floor flex in the 3.3m length. The Honwaves are never complained about in 3.2m but going up to 3.8m there have been grumbles.

They have kept the Explorer to 3.2, maybe for that reason.
I have been in contact with Boatworld to see if they have any in-depth reviews and or videos, especially at speed, in tighter turns etc, and also to confirm the exact specs.

It surprises me that when you look at specifications there are so many mistakes. Three suppliers that I've looked at recently Boatworld, Honwave and Excel all have quite big mistakes in their spec sheets.

When reviews are thin on the ground, atry before you buy option would be ideal

[Fenlander]

I reckon if you use the password "Chipko" they'll let you trial one.

[Steve509926]

[Steve509926]

Had it confirmed that the internal dimensions for the BW Explorer 320 are - 2.4 mtr length x 0.8 mtr beam - and not as the specifications on the website (0.93 mtr beam) that still makes for a lot of deck space in a small sib.
Unfortunately they don't have any in-depth reviews or videos, so performance is unknown, unless someone on the forum has one?

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Had it confirmed that the internal dimensions for the BW Explorer 320 are - 2.4 mtr length x 0.8 mtr beam - and not as the specifications on the website (0.93 mtr beam) that still makes for a lot of deck space in a small sib.
Unfortunately they don't have any in-depth reviews or videos, so performance is unknown, unless someone on the forum has one?

Now is your big chance Steve to be the first to get one and do a review

This is not the first time BW get specs wrong I think they copy and paste and don’t always edit correctly

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by smallribber

Now is your big chance Steve to be the first to get one and do a review

Not with my money Dennis!

[Fenlander]

Quite seriously Steve why not email them and ask if they have a loan example or would consider it.

[Steve509926]

Not a bad idea, think I'll call them and talk to someone.

[Brinormeg]

Tell them you are willing to post a YouTube video review and on here, you never know!

If the idea of the sloped floor puts you off Steve, have a look at this guys videos.
Although you are looking at a bit smaller, it might give you some ideas.
The T38 still looks very narrow in videos and the bow being so raised up appears to waste a lot of usable space compared to others. But he has a couple of decent work arounds and also examples of performance with different outboards in his other videos.

The more I see of the honewave range, the more appealing they become tbh.

Looking at maybe going a little bit lighter/smaller over the next year or so myself, either as a second set up, or might sell on the Volaire…..will see.

https://youtu.be/8nIUQ_j7st8?si=y65uIrQzJRXe5w72

[Steve509926]

Hi Brin, I've seen a few of the ferryman's videos and they are good, but for a deck like that you definitely need a truck to carry it in.

The Honwave T38 is without doubt a good sib great performance, but after being in a T38 it's not the sib for me. It falls between being a 2 adults + dog + kit sib (too small) and a solo sib (too big), probably great for two people.
The T32 just looks too small, although I have to admit I've never been in one, apart from in a showroom!

It's not the V floor that's actually the problem as such, it's the dog! Well, I suppose it's not the dog, it's me being a bit paranoid about cruciate ligament operations, two dogs two operations, £8000! Not keen on making it £12000.

One of the reasons I'm interested in the Explorer is it's internal width, which should produce a slightly less internal sloping deck, and it's light weight. It looks like it should hit the sweet spot in terms of usable space for my needs. However, £1200 without any track record with regards to performance ect isn't something I want to spend on the off chance that it performs well.

I will be giving them a call to see if a "loan" is feasible, obviously a video review would be done without question, as I like doing that sort of thing.

[smallribber]

Looking at the pics I cant see any Rowlocks. If you had to Row it !. Is that just a Pro type in the pics or is that how they are ?

[Steve509926]

It is supplied with 2 borika mounts and oar locks which you fit yourself (adhesive supplied)
I thought it was a bit poor a first, but after giving it a bit of thought I now think it's a good idea. The Borika mounts can be used for other things, fishing rod holder, camera mount etc

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Quite seriously Steve why not email them and ask if they have a loan example or would consider it.

I shan't be reviewing or posting a video of the Explorer 330 Air V anytime soon as the answer was no. Shame as it looks to have some good features.

[Fenlander]

Oh well worth an ask. You’ll just have to keep an eye out on all the likely places a review might pop up.