Brig Heavy-duty HD410, HD460 - how good are they?

[mrr]

Looking for a good SIB which is packable (we do not have a trailer), easy to setup/assemble, durable and which sails pretty well at sea (for a SIB).

Zodiac futura MK II was my first choice. The Brig heavy Duty HD 410 and HD 460 look even better. A SIB with a V bottom, so behaviour in chop is to be expected better than the futura?
BRIG Rigid Inflatable Boats ? Heavy-Duty

There is very little information about the HD410 and HD460 on the web. Could you comment on these sibs? How good are they?

- how does it sail in choppy conditions (and flat conditions)?
- is it easy to assemble?
- is it easy to pack and transport (like the futura?)
- is the deck metal or wood? With rings to tie up gear to the deck?
- does it live up the 'fortified construction' (see link)
- compared to the futura, what are the pro's and cons?

Thanks!

[ShinyShoe]

The trouble with a 4.6m SIB is it wants a big engine for use at sea. So an awful lot of people with 4.6m sibs would put it on a trailer. Otherwise you are probably going to be lugging a 25HP engine in and out of the boot of your car...

I'd want a sea trial in one, including folding down and building up before buying...

[John Kennett]

I had a 4m SIB with a 25hp motor for a while and it was quite a handful to lug around, but assembling it was not really any harder than a smaller boat. I wouldn't particularly want to have one again though, and anything bigger would be even less appealing. I haven't heard of anyone with a Brig inflatable and I suspect you'll be unlikely to get much user feedback.

If you've read the forums a bit you'll know what the general concensus is for the choice of easily packable SIBs. If you need anything bigger than 3.8 metres then I'd suggest finding a way to keep it on a trailer. And if you do go that route you'd be better off having a small RIB.

[mrr]

Life is about compromises. We are not able to store a trailer with SIB. It is easier to travel with a sib that can be folded and packed in the back of a SUV/ mini van etc. The 410 futura or the HD410 brig could be a nice compromise.

The Brig HD410/460 seems to have a better V hul than the Futura... Is anyone able to comment on the Brig HD 410 (or HD460)?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by mrr

Life is about compromises. We are not able to store a trailer with SIB. It is easier to travel with a sib that can be folded and packed in the back of a SUV/ mini van etc. The 410 futura or the HD410 brig could be a nice compromise.

The Brig HD410/460 seems to have a better V hul than the Futura... Is anyone able to comment on the Brig HD 410 (or HD460)?

It's not really a better compromise though which is why the 380 size is the default preference. If you really want bigger search for ways to store it, you might be surprised - I don't think you'll find many people here who would argue against convenience being a major factor in how much they use (or don't) the boat - paying to store it somewhere might let you get better value for money from it.

[prairie tuber]

Are you sure their HD series are SIBS? Within their "professional" grade category on their website, they state that their Rescue line are RIBs and refer to them as Design Category C. They also state that their HD series is Design Category C.

It is indeed a very uninformative (and truly odd) website. Video with a hottie in a black caped unikini (or something) and another doing back walkovers on the beach and sausages on a grille, but no info about dimensions, materials, weight or anything else substantive.

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

Are you sure their HD series are SIBS? Within their "professional" grade category on their website, they state that their Rescue line are RIBs and refer to them as Design Category C. They also state that their HD series is Design Category C.

It is indeed a very uninformative (and truly odd) website. Video with a hottie in a black caped unikini (or something) and another doing back walkovers on the beach and sausages on a grille, but no info about dimensions, materials, weight or anything else substantive.

There Sibs alright, can't find the page your talking about you got distracted?

I have always liked excel range http://www.excel-inflatables.co.uk and if you want to go large they do a 7m Sib ��

[Maximus]

Can't really comment on the Boats.....but Judging by the How Rough and Tough those "Special Forces" types look in the Video. SCAREY!

[prairie tuber]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

There Sibs alright, can't find the page your talking about you got distracted?

I was referring to the video on the website that was linked in the original post BRIG Rigid Inflatable Boats ? film

That's not to say I didn't get distracted.

Originally Posted by Maximus

Can't really comment on the Boats.....but Judging by the How Rough and Tough those "Special Forces" types look in the Video. SCAREY!

Indeed!

[Squid Boat]

Nice flick.

Cheers

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Can't really comment on the Boats.....but Judging by the How Rough and Tough those "Special Forces" types look in the Video. SCAREY!

Just give it a couple of years 'til they start shaving & you'll sh1t your pants

[Neuner]

Originally Posted by mrr

Life is about compromises. We are not able to store a trailer with SIB. It is easier to travel with a sib that can be folded and packed in the back of a SUV/ mini van etc. The 410 futura or the HD410 brig could be a nice compromise.

Right on. If you find any more about it, please post the additional info. I think we have our 4.7m selected but not locked in yet. Still keeping my eyes open.

[office888]

Brigs comprise of about 20% of the repairs I do.

Mainly topside seam failures, severe material degradation, and blown rear seams. I've had to junk quite a few of them. These boats are typically between 3-8 years old.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by office888

Brigs comprise of about 20% of the repairs I do.

Mainly topside seam failures, severe material degradation, and blown rear seams. I've had to junk quite a few of them. These boats are typically between 3-8 years old.

Well there's a pertinent Post for sure!
"Caveat emptor"

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by office888

Brigs comprise of about 20% of the repairs I do.

Mainly topside seam failures, severe material degradation, and blown rear seams. I've had to junk quite a few of them. These boats are typically between 3-8 years old.

Wow, it's not even like you're in anywhere hot either.

That's quite damning in my eyes.

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by office888

Brigs comprise of about 20% of the repairs I do.

Mainly topside seam failures, severe material degradation, and blown rear seams. I've had to junk quite a few of them. These boats are typically between 3-8 years old.

Hang on this means very little till we know what the other 80% of his work is made of and what Brig makes up of the % of boats in his area!

If Brig makes up say 75% of the ribs in his area say then it would not be surprising he sees 20% of his work coming from them!

[office888]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Hang on this means very little till we know what the other 80% of his work is made of and what Brig makes up of the % of boats in his area!

If Brig makes up say 75% of the ribs in his area say then it would not be surprising he sees 20% of his work coming from them!

The nearest Brig dealers are about 300-500 miles away...local market is about 40% Avon/Zodiac, 30% Quicksilver/Mercury, 20% AB/Caribe, with the 10% remainder being the off-brand random boats...maybe 3% Brig?

There are a ton of 10-15+ year old Zodiac PVC/Strongan boats in the area. Unfortunately, most die due to rotted transoms or the floors falling off on the pre-2002ish glued floor boats.

I will give it to Brig ; They are very reasonably priced boats. But at the end of the day, you get what you pay for. I would much rather have an old Grand Raid, Futura Commando, or Achilles Sport Knight / Sport Utility over a newer Brig.

[prairie tuber]

Thanks Office888, very useful information.

I agree with the sentiment that you will often get far more value by buying older, used quality gear than brand new low end stuff! Underwear and toothpaste would be a couple of exceptions to that rule

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by office888

The nearest Brig dealers are about 300-500 miles away...local market is about 40% Avon/Zodiac, 30% Quicksilver/Mercury, 20% AB/Caribe, with the 10% remainder being the off-brand random boats...maybe 3% Brig?

There are a ton of 10-15+ year old Zodiac PVC/Strongan boats in the area. Unfortunately, most die due to rotted transoms or the floors falling off on the pre-2002ish glued floor boats.

I will give it to Brig ; They are very reasonably priced boats. But at the end of the day, you get what you pay for. I would much rather have an old Grand Raid, Futura Commando, or Achilles Sport Knight / Sport Utility over a newer Brig.

Thank for making it clear

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by office888

The nearest Brig dealers are about 300-500 miles away...local market is about 40% Avon/Zodiac, 30% Quicksilver/Mercury, 20% AB/Caribe, with the 10% remainder being the off-brand random boats...maybe 3% Brig?

There are a ton of 10-15+ year old Zodiac PVC/Strongan boats in the area. Unfortunately, most die due to rotted transoms or the floors falling off on the pre-2002ish glued floor boats.

I will give it to Brig ; They are very reasonably priced boats. But at the end of the day, you get what you pay for. I would much rather have an old Grand Raid, Futura Commando, or Achilles Sport Knight / Sport Utility over a newer Brig.

What?.....Even the 410 & 460.. HEAVY DUTY!!!??