My Suzumar 320 sib

[Amukinado]

Hello everyone!

Just got my first boat. It's a 2000 used Suzumar 320.
I was looking for something else but ended up buying this boat. Here's the original topic: http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/are-via...ood-62356.html
Anyway, I'll use this thread to post upgrades and developments and to ask for advice.

Here's the first pic of the boat:



Now the first things on the to do list are:

-Get an engine
-Get rid of those silly dolphins
-Paint that ugly ass tow black

About the engine, I am limited to 6 hp engines so, as Locozodiac suggested in the old thread, I will be looking into the 2 stroke Tohatsu 6 hp and carb swap to 9.8 hp.

About the dolphins, any suggestions as how should I remove them? The are painted on the tubes.

Cheers!

[Locozodiac]

Congrats, nice sib. That's the European model, more bow space. Probably will need to live with dolphins. Will need a strong substance like Acetone, Acrylic Paint Thinner. Probably will make a paint mess trying to remove dolphins...

Happy Boating

[Amukinado]

Thanks mate! I'm really excited about this boat. Now all my mates want to go fishing too...

Today I deflated the boat to store it for the weekend and the paint from the dolphins started splintering from the tube. Probably I can remove the rest with the high pressure washer or maybe just my nail.

By the way, is there a correct way to fold a sib?

[Max...]

Nice boat, I like the Suzumars.

Try a Scotchbrite pad (very gentle type) with Acetone, this should do it.

Deflate fully, fold the sponsons in over the transom, fold the side tubes in so the boat is the same width all over then roll lengthways in three or four layers.

[lockieboi]

Originally Posted by Amukinado

By the way, is there a correct way to fold a sib?

Like this;

[Landlockedpirate]

If the dolphins have not been put on with PVC paint they will start to fall off after you have rolled it up a couple of times. Gently scrape off as much of the residue as you can then use acetone as Max suggests. Make sure you wash the area well after use because the acetone could damage the boat if left on for too long.

Dont use a pressure washer on the inflatable part, it can easily damage the fabric.

[Amukinado]

Thanks guys! Those tips will be useful.

Originally Posted by Landlockedpirate

Dont use a pressure washer on the inflatable part, it can easily damage the fabric.

Hmm... My pressure washer isn't very powerful. For example, it won't cut my skin if I put my hand right next to the gun's tip (unlike the ones from the gas stations). Do you think it can still damage the fabric?

[Locozodiac]

I rinse my rib with a Karcher water gun, the ones you wash cars with set at low pressure and my tubes are still intact....

Happy Boating

[Amukinado]

Excuse my ignorance, but should I get a short or long column engine?

[Landlockedpirate]

Originally Posted by Amukinado

Thanks guys! Those tips will be useful.



Hmm... My pressure washer isn't very powerful. For example, it won't cut my skin if I put my hand right next to the gun's tip (unlike the ones from the gas stations). Do you think it can still damage the fabric?

Thats called a hosepipe, not a pressure washer

You want a short shaft engine.

[Amukinado]

Originally Posted by Landlockedpirate

Thats called a hosepipe, not a pressure washer

You want a short shaft engine.

Ahah, close enough!

So, this engine wouldn't "fit"?

http://portocity.olx.pt/motor-auxili...-iid-455357251

[Landlockedpirate]

Originally Posted by Amukinado

Ahah, close enough!

So, this engine wouldn't "fit"?

http://portocity.olx.pt/motor-auxili...-iid-455357251

Nope, thats a long shaft.

You want a short shaft or sometimes called a standard shaft.

[Amukinado]

Originally Posted by Landlockedpirate

Nope, thats a long shaft.

You want a short shaft or sometimes called a standard shaft.

What would happen with this engine? The propeller would be too deep and do some amazing wheelies like this?

[Landlockedpirate]

If you want optimum performance from your engine, you need the right shaft length for the transom.

With high powered boats getting it wrong could be serious, but TBH using the wrong small hp engine on your boatwouldnt be the end of the world.

The issues you would have:
Could be difficult to start due to increased back pressure on the exhaust.
Reduced speed due to increased drag.
If the boat planes, it could be a bit "tippy" (like your video)
You will probably catch the prop on the floor more because its 33% longer than you expect.

A few of my sailing friends do use the long shaft engines off the main boat on a tender, no one has drowned yet ! But it is much better to get the right engine for the job.

[Amukinado]

Thanks mate! BTW, wouldn't the propeller also be more exposed? Maybe it could be a problem when I get to the beach.


I am having a hard time finding a proper engine for my sib. I can only seem to find old pieces of junk that need restoring. I can't find a short shaft Tohatsu, even more the 6 hp...

So tell me, are those 2.something hp 4 stroke tender outboards worth a shot? I have been reading some bad reviews about the Honda 2.3, but there are also people saying wonderful things about them.
If I end up going for something like this what brand should I go for? Honda, Suzuki, Mercury or Genovo?

[Landlockedpirate]

Yep, you will probably catch the prop more.

I'm not a big fan of single cylinder 4 stroke outboards, too complicated and need far too much attention IMHO.Some are better than others (I used a 2.5hp Suzuki the other day and it was suprisingly good.) Honda not well liked. Light weight sibs just suit 2 stroke outboards better, they are simple, light, robust and you can ignore them for months and they still start and run.

Finding an engine is a challenge even in the UK, keep looking, something will come up. Keep an eye on Ebay UK, things occasionally appear in Portugal. I bought a nearly new Zodiac 285FR and a 2006 4hp Mariner for £400, it was listed on Ebay UK, but pick up only from Spain (just down the road from my Dads :-) ).

[Amukinado]

And in terms of fuel consumption, is there much difference?

Another fact that may be relevant is that I'll probably be carrying the engine in the trunk of my car. Will this affect a 4 stroke engine or it's just a problem for long periods of time?

[Landlockedpirate]

At this size of outboard you wont notice a difference in fuel consumption between 2 and 4 stroke, you can put a 4 stroke in the boot, you just need to lie it the correct way.

[Amukinado]

Originally Posted by Landlockedpirate

At this size of outboard you wont notice a difference in fuel consumption between 2 and 4 stroke, you can put a 4 stroke in the boot, you just need to lie it the correct way.

What's the correct way to lie it?

So if I get it right, the only disadvantage of a 2 stroke vs a 4 stroke (of this power) is the smoke and having to mix the oil with the gas.

[Landlockedpirate]

Originally Posted by Amukinado

What's the correct way to lie it?

So if I get it right, the only disadvantage of a 2 stroke vs a 4 stroke (of this power) is the smoke and having to mix the oil with the gas.

It depends on the engine, most of them have a sticker telling you.

I dont see it as a disadvantage, I love the smell of 2 stroke oil in the morning

2 stroke V 4 stroke has been done to death, have a search on the forum.