New to SIB's

[Fenlander]

Neat little RIBs those. I've chatted to folks with them at the coast several times and they seem well liked. In truth always fancied one if our use ever changed from an "out the back of the car" setup... if using a trailer or actually living near the water to trolley it from the house etc.

Personally I think you will like the size once you get sorted to taking and packing to suit its space rather than having the bigger boat.

Will you have to deflate the tubes to get in the van?

[Robmac]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Neat little RIBs those. I've chatted to folks with them at the coast several times and they seem well liked. In truth always fancied one if our use ever changed from an "out the back of the car" setup... if using a trailer or actually living near the water to trolley it from the house etc.

Personally I think you will like the size once you get sorted to taking and packing to suit its space rather than having the bigger boat.

Will you have to deflate the tubes to get in the van?

Yes I will have to deflate the tubes, but I don't see that as a major hassle if I buy an electric pump.

Really looking forward to getting it, I think I've made the right choice now.

[Fenlander]

Look forward to hearing how you get on with it and what the deflated length and width works out at.

[Robmac]

The new boat arrived today.

I haven't had time to unwrap it and I'm away until Monday so it is now sitting on the drive (behind gates) until I get back.

I have to say that I am more than a little worried about it either going for walkies or getting a visit from the local mice before I manage to clear space for it in the cabin in the garden.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Robmac

The new boat arrived today.

I haven't had time to unwrap it and I'm away until Monday so it is now sitting on the drive (behind gates) until I get back.

I have to say that I am more than a little worried about it either going for walkies or getting a visit from the local mice before I manage to clear space for it in the cabin in the garden.

Behind gates with a car parked in front of it I hope
Wouldn't be too worried about the mice.

Keen to see the pictures of it in your Campervan.

[Robmac]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Behind gates with a car parked in front of it I hope
Wouldn't be too worried about the mice.

Keen to see the pictures of it in your Campervan.

2 campervans, 2 work vans and 3 cars on the drive in front of the gates! (The joys of having kids and grandkids living with you).

Yes I will post some pictures IF I have got my calculations right!

[Fenlander]

Nice size drive!

[Robmac]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Nice size drive!

Nothing flash I'm afraid. We did have a reasonable size front garden with a concrete drive running down the middle of it and then down the side of the house. We decided to do away with the garden and put it all over to parking so as to give plenty of room for the camper and my wife's car and my own and my son's.

Then my daughter and son in law and grandkids moved in 'temporarily'.....

[Robmac]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Behind gates with a car parked in front of it I hope
Wouldn't be too worried about the mice.

Keen to see the pictures of it in your Campervan.

I haven't even unwrapped it yet but I plan to today.

Having manhandled the package though with the help of my son, I have to concede that putting it in the van is not going to be viable! It will go in but it will be just too awkward - and impossible if I'm on my own.

So - (as advised by many!) I have decided that I will need a trailer, especially as I plan to fit a steering console and bimini.

[Steve509926]

It'll be good to see pictures of your new setup.

What OB are you putting on it?

[Robmac]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

It'll be good to see pictures of your new setup.

What OB are you putting on it?

I've got a Epropulsion 1.0 Evo electric for my local river trips. I know they are not for purists but it gets great reviews. It has remote (bluetooth) throttle and remote cable steering.

For the lochs and inshore work though I plan to get a Tohatsu in the 10-20hp range.

It's obviously just a bare boat at the moment but I will put some photo's up when I've done some mods - to which, I will be picking brains later!

[Fenlander]

Think long and hard before considering a steering console in a 3.5m boat. They use so much space relative to the small floor plan of a tubed boat and ruin the normal flexibility of folks sitting where it suits on the day. It is totally not needed on this boat size unless you maxed out the engine to 25hp and set it up as a one man oversize jetski.

[Robmac]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Think long and hard before considering a steering console in a 3.5m boat. They use so much space relative to the small floor plan of a tubed boat and ruin the normal flexibility of folks sitting where it suits on the day. It is totally not needed on this boat size unless you maxed out the engine to 25hp and set it up as a one man oversize jetski.

Yes I agree about the space but the vast majority of the time I will be single handed.

I have just started a seperate thread regarding this. Ideally the steering console would be removeable even if just held on by 4 wingnuts or similar. (If that would be man enough for the job).

You do however persuade me to stick to tiller steering for the bigger 4 stroke engine.