Easiest planing SIB 3.1-3.4m?

SpearRib · 04 November 2013, 00:35

As some might no we got rid of the zodiac 285 hard floor in quick order, was just too small and a PITA to setup (for us had to be every time).

Now we want a bit more size but too big that the 8hp wont have some potential for planing on calm water.

Being down under our options are limited.

So far on the used market we have a

Honwave 3.2 air floor (barely used)
Island Inflatable 3.3m air floor (barely used)
Zodiac Lightroller 3.4m 2006 model (reasonable condition but same price as the previous 2 mentioned)

Essentially after something with the deepest V possible.

SpearRib · 04 November 2013, 20:21

Im stairing toward the Honwave, even though its smaller than the Zodiac its new and has a warranty.

PeterM · 04 November 2013, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpearRib

Im stairing toward the Honwave, even though its smaller than the Zodiac its new and has a warranty.

+1. Good little boats. A 2.7 with a 15 gave my bombard 380 with a 25 a good run!

SpearRib · 04 November 2013, 20:49

wow 15hp on the 2.7, didnt that feel squirrely? i find the 2.85s zodiac squirrely with the 8hp, hence looking for a bit more length. like the mrs always says to me, size does count :-)

69cmw · 04 November 2013, 20:52

That 2.7m with the 15hp must have been pretty quick for the size and a lot of fun !

Teta · 04 November 2013, 20:53

I like the flat floor of the Zodiac. The floor of the Honwave is in a 'V' shape.

SpearRib · 04 November 2013, 20:54

oh wow how does the V shap work? that almost sounds like a lodestar?

JH&H · 04 November 2013, 21:01

I have a 2.7 honwave with an air v floor and a 15hp 2 stroke on it. The boat is very stable and goes great with the 15hp on it. The v floor is near flat at the back and a deep v at the front under the seat.

PeterM · 04 November 2013, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpearRib

wow 15hp on the 2.7, didnt that feel squirrely? i find the 2.85s zodiac squirrely with the 8hp, hence looking for a bit more length. like the mrs always says to me, size does count :-)

It was surprisingly solid really...even at wot it seemed happy. Was funny to see it wave jumping out of the water of a foot high wake :-)

SpearRib · 04 November 2013, 21:02

so does the honwave have an inflatable keel as well as the V floor? I would imagine the V floor would do a really good job in helping keep a deep V for the bow entry?

PeterM · 04 November 2013, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpearRib

so does the honwave have an inflatable keel as well as the V floor? I would imagine the V floor would do a really good job in helping keep a deep V for the bow entry?

The v floor pushes down and forms the keel....

SpearRib · 04 November 2013, 21:10

oh so it doesnt have a seperate inflatable keel. thats a shame isnt it? any one have a pic of a honwave on the bottom?

Teta · 04 November 2013, 21:23

Zodiac vs Honwave

SpearRib · 04 November 2013, 21:24

zodiac is out of our price reach for a new one, the only one we can afford is a 2006.

ive heard the honwaves have a lot of hull flex, does this mean its impossible to plane?

PeterM · 04 November 2013, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpearRib

ive heard the honwaves have a lot of hull flex, does this mean its impossible to plane?

I'd guess this is from a boat that wasn't properly inflated...they have to be at proper (high) pressure....then they plane just fine.

JH&H · 04 November 2013, 21:42

The honwaves are like any air floor - if it's not inflated to the high pressure specified it is too flexible. If it is inflated to the design pressure it rides like a rigid hull.

My 2.7 will plain at half throttle with 2 of us, a dog, some kit and our 25litre fuel tank. The boat goes through choppy water with ease and flat out it literally flies and thankfully is very predictable when it lands!!!

SpearRib · 04 November 2013, 21:49

im starting to warm to the honwave :-)

now $700au for a slightly used 2.7 or $1200au for the 3.2 new. we felt the 2.85 was just too small, so maybe the 3.2 is a better investment as its also new and has the 1 year warranty?

id love a bombard 380 but we cant get them locally and they would be too much money anyways.

JH&H · 04 November 2013, 22:07

I would definitely go for the 3.2 - my 2.7 is fine for cruising about but there's very little room to move about in the boat.

I know there's better boats out there from what I've read and I'm bias as the only SIB I've had is a honwave but I really cannot fault it and my one has had a life in the time I've had it; it gets ratchet strapped to my pickup instead of deflating, the outboard is almost twice the rated HP and I love jumping it off waves.

SpearRib · 04 November 2013, 22:10

do you find it jumps off plane due to boat flex? i heard this is usually only when its not at correct pressure once on cold water.

the big difference between the used zodiac and the honwave is beam, zodiac is 78cm the honwave is 67.5. I think the zodiac might be underpowered with the 8hp where as the honwave will be well suited for our needs.

getting closer to making a choice ;-)

SpearRib · 04 November 2013, 23:46

i thought the tabs at the back of the honwave were solid haha, thought i could use as a step when spearing. never mind a ladder would be easier anyway.