New boat?

[Coniston]

I’ve been looking at this boat too, so interested in reply. No boat at present, but have a 2002 4hp two cylinder Johnson 2 stroke ….what value does it have? Was looking for a boat easy to transport for lakes with perhaps a very limited use on salt water eg Poole harbour. Mainly for one poss two. Was thinking a Yamaha 6hp following watching The Gurnard. Now retired so looking for a boat easier to use. Could also use on canals. Be really grateful for any thoughts, thanks.

[Fenlander]

Hi and welcome to the forum. If you are thinking lakes and modest sea use with a 6hp something around the 3.2m size might suit. Have a look at the Honwave T32 air floor and similar size models from Boatworld on their excellent website.

Old Johnson motors are not quite so popular as Yamaha/Mariner etc and condition is everything. If you post an image we could advise better.

[Steve509926]

Hi Coniston and welcome again, can't really add much more than Fenlander has already said.
What will you be doing with your sib, touring/exploring, fishing? The only reason I ask is that some people when fishing prefare a flat deck rather than the internal "V" deck of the T32.

[Coniston]

Thanks for reply, touring, but also as a support boat for adult children and their children when sailing/canoeing. Would also like to go with my wife and tour some of the Scottish Lochs. Honwave 32 was a thought in my mind….weight is a concern as age makes its inroads.

[Fenlander]

Ok I'll give you a starter to consider. This model from Boatworld is a few kg lighter than the Honwave and loads cheaper. Boatworld have served members (including myself) on here well over the past few years and I'd be happy to buy from them again.

https://boatworld.co.uk/boatworld-air-deck-320

[Coniston]

Thank you Fenlander - will look now

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Coniston

Thanks for reply, touring, but also as a support boat for adult children and their children when sailing/canoeing. Would also like to go with my wife and tour some of the Scottish Lochs. Honwave 32 was a thought in my mind….weight is a concern as age makes its inroads.

Would that support boat role be on Coniston water by any chance? Low Bank Ground?

[Coniston]

On Coniston, but also Ullswater and Windermere - just family use….we also kayak and sail….only want to but once …was thinking 6hp but am also wondering Tohatsu 9.8 4 stoke after watching some videos from Ireland

[Steve509926]

If it was just on Coniston, Ulleswater and Windermere a 6hp would be fine because of the speed restriction, but if you are considering Scottish sea Lochs I would personally want the extra power of the 9.8.

[Coniston]

Thanks Steve

[Steve509926]

Something that was important to me when I was looking for a sib was internal space, especially internal width (beam) 2 adults, dog and usual day kit.
Another from Boatworld to consider (only if the new model doesn't have the trim tabs) :-

https://boatworld.co.uk/boatworld-explorer-320-air-v

[Coniston]

Thanks looking now

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Coniston

Thanks for reply, touring, but also as a support boat for adult children and their children when sailing/canoeing. Would also like to go with my wife and tour some of the Scottish Lochs. Honwave 32 was a thought in my mind….weight is a concern as age makes its inroads.

I've thought about this a bit more.

I know you've said solo and occasionally 2 up, but I'm assuming the above means grandchildren?
If that's the case, I can guarantee it will be two up plus 2 kids from time to time.
IMO a T32 will be snug and maybe a little underpowered with a 6hp.

Another to consider is the Excel SD330. Although it is heavier than the others at 48kg, it can be split into two loads, one at around 38kg and the other around 10kg. In terms of internal space it is much bigger.

[Brinormeg]

Another thing to consider is transportation which I don’t think the other guys have covered yet.

Budget is of course another, as is knowledge and willingness to buy second hand.

Car boot? Box/open trailer? Boat trailer? Tow bar carrier?

Storage when not I use could also be quite a big issue to think about as well.

Then there’s launching…..beach, slips, harbours, solo, friends, family, launch wheels, (unhappy moaning better half and crew etc

If planing local short range trips away only, or if heading to Donnies kingdom for full blown holidays.
You are then having factor luggage, camping gear/hotel/caravan etc

Can be a bit of a minefield out there, with so many options and opinions.

If at all possible I would go to your nearest marina/boat sales etc to see any on your shortlist with your own eyes. Try lifting a couple of outboards, deflated sibs etc.

Sounds like you may have on the water experience? and like a few of us on here, not quite so young and fit as they used to be?

But my set up is the max I can handle physically and transportation wise at the moment.

Excel 390 Volaire, Suzuki 20hp 4 stroke(max for not only weight but awkward lifting) and definately would be a difficult one man set up for me nowadays.

Transom wheels for launch (but more recently finding staying where sib can set up once and leave afloat, is a real family winner and earache saver) if maybe not a wallet one
All in a massively overloaded estate car with a roof box (particularly when adding in camping gear which we don’t plan to do again in a hurry

Would agree with the others about space depending on how you foresee the use later.

For our use, (after trying a narrower sloping air floor honwave that became the deal breaker for us) so decided to handle the extra weight.
But there’s plenty others who cope with the honwave floor or even the aluminium floor ones!

Generally speaking (and with my relatively unexperienced knowledge), for sea use, a longer sib is also preferable, but others may disagree.


If starting my setup from scratch again, perhaps I would look for something in between mine and a lighter set up.

So will throw something else into the mix.
I came across this guys videos below the other day while looking for the holly grail of upgrade to wheels (who is possibly a member on here). With a similar set up to what I would personally be having a closer look at for my usage in the future.

https://youtu.be/L903Wwp9JN4

https://youtu.be/VLYg6FR8-Ns

[Coniston]

Thank you to all that have given up time to share their advice….what a mine field it is….between trying to work out what you think you want with what is actually feasible. I will have a look at some - weight and transportation are key issues. I will keep researching…something nearer to 4metres seems a better choice but am worried about weight of engine.

[Steve509926]

Hi Coniston, I think most forum members will agree that any sib 4mtrs & over is probably to big:-
a/ to be portable - needing to be set up permanently on a trailer?
b/ to handle well on the water - flexing etc
c/ usability - hassle factor means you will use it less.
To give an idea when I was looking for a sib I knew it needed to be big enough for two adults, a dog, day kit plus extra for the occasional adult sized teenager. But light enough for me to handle solo, 60 (3 years ago!), 6"1", 95kg, relatively fit but a dodgy back.
I narrowed it down to 3 sibs the Honwave T38ie2, Excel SD360 and the Excel Volaire 390. I would now include the Boatworld Airdeck 360 and Boatworld Air V 380 in that mix.
The T38 although an excellent sib was ruled out because of the internal V deck (as would the Boatworld V deck) , the dog needs a flat deck - spent a fortune on cruciates in the past! The Volaire 390 is the one that I really wanted, but as soon as I saw the size of the deflated pack and tried to lift it, for me, it was an obvious non starter.
That left the Excel SD360 paired up with a 15hp efi Merc (now a 20hp Merc). For my use and needs it has been ideal, however both the SIB and OB are on the very limit of my lifting/handling capability it also takes up a lot of storage space.
It is very likely that in a few years to come I may need to reconsider my setup.
I would probably look towards something similar in weight to the Boatworld Airdeck 360 and a 9.8 4 stroke, but that for me is hopefully we'll into the future.

Videos of my setup may help:-

https://www.youtube.com/@boatingintheuk

[Fenlander]

>>Now retired so looking for a boat easier to use.

The posts above show the huge dilemma with SIBs... the ideal for passenger space and seakeeping isn't always the best overall unless strong and young or you set it all up on a trailer.

Our 3.8m air floor SIB is light for its size at 43kg and after a couple of false starts thinking of downsizing slightly to get something a bit lighter we've decided to stick with this boat for a good while longer. What we have done is to gradually downsize the motor from a 45kg 20hp (light for a 20) via a 36kg 9.8 4-stroke then a 36kg 15hp 2-stroke finally to a 26kg 9.8 2-stroke. This motor, while you keep to 2 adults plus kit and medium dog, is acceptable making 15kts maximum with a comfortable 12/13kt cruise.

We carry everything in the back of the car and use transom wheels rather than a trailer. For now this works OK for 67yr olds with average ability but a mindful attitude to pushing our luck.

[Coniston]

Fenlander, this is a really useful post for me as similar age, I wasnt going to get a trailer and the engine weight has been an issue…at this moment I am thinking around Honwave 3.8 for the room and Tohatsu 9.8 for lighter engine. To use mainly on Cumbrian lakes, poss canals, Poole harbour, south coast and inland Scottish lochs? Further reaction from others to this very much welcomed. I’m not rushing into purchase as it is not easy to weigh up all the options…it is for my pleasure but also to serve as a family boat. A trailer may come later although also considered an Erde143. Thanks for anycomments.

[chipko]

Coniston, Take a look at this Elling KB350 up for grabs on this thread from 69cmw;

SIB's spotted on eBay thread
https://www.rib.net/forum/f50/sibs-spotted-on-ebay-thread-68925-post865563.html

Rare as hen’s teeth and may be suitable for yourself - lightweight, good length and deck area, go well with 6 to 10hp motors and decent build quality.

[Croolis]

I have 3.2m flat air deck from Boatworld (~£800). I am new to SIBs and bought a 2.5hp four stroke which is too small for anything but the gentle river cruising that I've been doing (and it's too loud and annoying for that lol).

I'm 50, not very buff, frequently boating solo or with 11 year old and am looking at a 9.9hp. Double the weight of my existing motor.

I have a sack truck from Screwfix for moving the boat in its big bag (it's like a massive holdall) and, when I buy it, the 9.9hp motor.

If you're moving the boat more than a few metres like I am to get it to the car (no garage), the sack truck is very desirable. I'm 5' 7" and the bag comes up to my chest and is wider than me when stood on its end. Don't get a stupid cheap or folding sack truck (I don't need to actually take it with me, it's just for moving the boat about at home), get something like this, paying attention to the design because you'll need to attach some wood to it if you want to clamp your outboard to it:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/heavy-dut...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

The boat and 9.9hp will be similar weights, around 40kg, so it gives me something to go on. The motor is easier to carry when its upright due to handles etc to hold onto, but it's awkward as you like when you are putting it into the boot of the car:

I have an old MK2 Focus hatchback so I don't really care about scuffing it, but I haven't yet anyway. The boat bag is easy as I just lean it against the back bumper, grab the bottom and lift, see-sawing it in. You can't do that with outboard so easily when it comes to sliding it in when you've got it horizontal, because of its irregular shape, so one method is leaning a board upright against the back bumper, then leaning the motor upright against the board, then lifting the board with the motor on it. I imagine doing this with the boat bag would also be an option, but I don't do it as of yet.

When I get to the bigger outboard, I shall likely do something like put some caster wheels on one end of the board (the top end) so after I see-saw it in the whole thing will travel easier into the boot after I lift the end up, and out again later, if you see what I mean.

As mentioned, transom wheels are a very good idea, essential really if no dedicated boat trailer. The boat is surprisingly easy to move with them if the surface is good, because all the weight is at the end where the wheels are and you are lifting at the prow.

Hope that helps . If there's two of you, even if you're not getting any younger, like, you'll manage better than me .