Brands to avoid?

[NickW]

Hi all, new guy here. Are there any brands to avoid when looking at SIBS? I’m looking to buy my 1st one for mainly spearfishing and general summer fun. Thanks, nick

[Fenlander]

Hi Nick and welcome to the forum.

I'm not sure I'd like to nominate brands to avoid as folks have got afloat and had great enjoyment from some makes that I wouldn't have personally chosen.

Flipping it to brands I'd consider... Zodiac/Bombard/Avon, Honwave, Excel, Quicksilver, Suzumar, Achilles.

Perhaps more that others will mention I've forgotten.

The ones to avoid really are the Chinese built models imported in small volumes by an individual or very small company. These are likely to have less tight quality control and a less effective warranty situation.

David

[NickW]

Yes good point thank you. I’m looking at the boatworld fishers or
This ....

https://www.inflatableboatfishing.co...-boat-by-seago


I’m going to keep hunting for a good 2nd hand boat too.

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Hi Nick and welcome to the forum.

I'm not sure I'd like to nominate brands to avoid as folks have got afloat and had great enjoyment from some makes that I wouldn't have personally chosen.

Flipping it to brands I'd consider... Zodiac/Bombard/Avon, Honwave, Excel, Quicksilver, Suzumar, Achilles.

Perhaps more that others will mention I've forgotten.

The ones to avoid really are the Chinese built models imported in small volumes by an individual or very small company. These are likely to have less tight quality control and a less effective warranty situation.

David

[HDAV]

Depends on budget use etc will you store it inflated or packed away? Assembly time process air floor vs alu / wood may be a factor.

Used brand vs new unbranded/unsupported is a tough one lots of cheap pvc of variable quality Chinese made boats with dubious certification available online.

Engine choice may be a limiting factor so look at common successful combos for your use.

Perfect tender to a sailing yacht in a calm mooring may not be perfect for fishing a few miles off shore with a fast tide and growing surf...

[NickW]

Budget is £1000 for the boat but def less if possible. Not worried about how long it takes to assemble as if I go out, it’ll be a day thing. Happy for 10-20hp as it’ll just be me or 1/2 friends on board. I’ve had a good look on here at the popular combo’s

Originally Posted by HDAV

Depends on budget use etc will you store it inflated or packed away? Assembly time process air floor vs alu / wood may be a factor.

Used brand vs new unbranded/unsupported is a tough one lots of cheap pvc of variable quality Chinese made boats with dubious certification available online.

Engine choice may be a limiting factor so look at common successful combos for your use.

Perfect tender to a sailing yacht in a calm mooring may not be perfect for fishing a few miles off shore with a fast tide and growing surf...

[Fenlander]

https://www.inflatableboatfishing.co...-boat-by-seago

Compare the 3.2m boat you linked above to a Honwave 3.2m air floor....

https://seamarknunn.com/acatalog/hon...9.html#SID=642

Unless you know different I'd guess that InflatableBoatFishing model is a flat air floor and they are the worse for misbehaving particularly with larger OBs (10hp+) trying to push them quickly. The Honwave air floor with its V-shape is not perfect but loads better and is rarely complained about in the 3.2m length regarding flexing.

Then just looking at one detail that would annoy me... that model only has a grab rope part way round and it has no external lift handles which could be an absolute pain moving it about.

Compare that with the Honwave having a grab rope all the way around the tubes and 4 lift handles.

The Honwave would have far better resale value too.

I would far rather pay £950-£1000 for the Honwave than that offer of £850ish for the model you linked.

[Fenlander]

Also I'd be wary of discounting the issue of assembly time on an alloy floor vs air floor unless you've actually tried it a few times. The alloy floor can frustrate.

But if you were 100% happy with an alloy floor in my opinion the best value SIB around £1000 is the very solid and stable Honwave 3.5m alloy floor model T35AE.

https://seamarknunn.com/acatalog/hon...0.html#SID=642