Honwave with Ali floor - advice...

stuart_mcgill · 25 July 2016, 13:34

Hi all

Looking for my first SIB. just trying to understand the pros and cons of having an ali floor in a Honwave? Presume extra weight... can it be used without the ali floor? Do they both have an inflatable keel?

In the summer it will be kept inflated and kept undercover. In the winter, deflated in a garage...not transported

Can launching wheels be added if no existing mountings?

Many thanks

Stuart

kaman · 25 July 2016, 14:43

I have both a Honwave 3.5ae (aluminium floor) Honwave T3.8 (high pressure air floor).
The 3.5ae is a heavy brute and a pain to set up. I keep it trailered.
It has an inflatable sausage keel under the alu floor.
Pros are the flat floor.
Better for fishing in my opinion.

The T3.8 is much lighter and easier to set up - blows up no floor fitting required .
It does need special launch wheels that curl around inflatable trim tabs. These wheels are expensive.
If mounting a fish finder you'll need a special clamp to mount transducer. Floor is in two pre fixed high pressure sections.
Needs a decent electric pump unless you don't want to induce a hernia.

Ability wise they are both cracking and very capable sibs.
With my 20hp Tohatsu the T3.8 is definetly the quicker of the two. The bow sits higher and has a greater dead rise than the 3.5ae and as such keeps you slightly drier.

In summary there's not a great gulf between the two.
If your not intending doing a lot of fishing I'd go with the T3.8.
The 3.5ae is roughly 200 quid cheaper.

kaman · 25 July 2016, 14:45

P.S the aluminium floor must be fitted - cannot use it without the floor.

stuart_mcgill · 25 July 2016, 15:13

Thanks - all very helpful.

So do they both have the same 'v' profile hull?

Using on the sea so is one more stable than the other?

Are the underside as durable as one another?

Sorry, not sure what you mean by 'a greater dead rise'?

Fenlander · 25 July 2016, 15:45

How will you get to the water with this SIB?

No the air floor has a greater V.

Undersides equally durable... except if you damage the floor skin of the alloy floor it might just let some water in on the way home and the repair is easy. Damage the air floor and it will go flat that side until repaired so perhaps a difficult run home and the repair needs to be slightly better executed.

stuart_mcgill · 25 July 2016, 15:52

Wheeled to the water from the drive (100 yards) and down the slipway... ideally on wheels if it comes with them.

Thought that might be the case with the air floor... often short, choppy waves so guessing the air floor might be best?

Is there a big weight difference?

Fenlander · 25 July 2016, 15:58

Yes big weight difference... ali floor 54lbs heavier. But that only really matters if you are lugging it about from the car to do a daily setup.

You have the same distance to wheel as our two week hols this year. You can manage pretty well most outfits on transom wheels over that distance.

They don't come with wheels from new, The air floor wheels are more expensive as Kaman says... with a slightly greater potential to break if abused on rough ground.

Do you have an engine already?

kaman · 25 July 2016, 17:47

Are you intending fishing from the Sib if so are you looking to fit a fishfinder?
Also as Fenlander asked what engine do you intend fitting to it?
How many persons you looking to carry on board and are you planning taking pets (dog)?

It is worth noting that the aluminium floored sib comes in two bags one for the floor and one for the sib itself. Both are heavy to man handle by yourself easy for 2 people.
The air floored T3.8 comes in one bag which is heavier and more awkward to man handle alone than any of the 2 seperate bags for the 3.5ae but easy for 2 persons.

If your going air floor with anything over an 8hp engine I would recommend the 100kg rated transom wheels (£200).

If you are wheeling it a short distance to launch then the T3.8 will be slightly easier to wheel - but due to the wheel design the wheel legs will be more susceptible to damage over rough terrain.

stuart_mcgill · 25 July 2016, 23:07

Thanks. The one in looking at comes with a 2 stroke Yamaha 20hp... Thoughts?

No fishing. Normally 2 people, occasionally 3 or 4 probably.

No fishing. No dogs... Maybe water skiing for some young kids.

Handling differences between the 2 then?

Stuart

kaman · 25 July 2016, 23:20

Hi Stuart no fishing or dog issues then it's an even field between the two.

Handling wise there ain't a great deal between the two however being air floored the T3.8 does flex a bit going over bigger waves - it is a faster Sib tho.
The 3.5ae doesn't flex due to the rigid floor.
This can prove to be a more harsh ride in the ruff stuff as it slams down more.

The transom on my 3.5ae is slightly thicker than the T3.8.
Not so much that it would worry me with regards to the strain of towing a ring.

As I fish and explore / camp from my Sibs I covered the floor of both Sibs with a removable rubberised padded foam flooring. A worthy addition as the aluminium floor of the 3.5ae is like a cheese grater and the floor of the T3.8 is more susceptible to damage.

As long as the Yammie hasn't been to the moon and back I would have no major concerns.

pabs · 26 July 2016, 20:38

Hello All
Just my opinion, I have the Honwave T40 with a 20hp on the back. As said its a pain to put up and then pack away as I don't have a trailer.
But the aluminium floor is a god send.
To be able to stand up on a stable floor and move around is to me a major benefit.
I spend my time on both river and sea along with my wife and Labrador, both leisure and fishing.
There is as said a weight difference but the solid floor in my mind is worth it.
My brother has a air floor and it just doesn't feel as safe or as confident as the aluminium floor.
That,s just my opinum.
Pabs

Fenlander · 26 July 2016, 20:55

Pabs as a matter of interest is brother's air floor a Honwave... which length?