Our new Boat The Big Honwave

[smallribber]

Going once again to the Southampton Boatshow I saw how good the quality was on the new Honwave T40 AE3 Ali floor sib. Although we already have the T38 ie2 for daily set up boating and the T35 AE3 for trailer Sibbing. We decided we liked the size of the T40 AE3 and as it would soon be our 36th wedding anniversary me and her indoors decided to splash out on the T40 with the EXtreme EXT400 trailer which is designed around the T40. We agreed a good price with Seamark Nunn over the phone while sitting eating lunch at the show for the boat, Trailer, light board, and spare seat all delivered for £2,500 which Included some Boatshow discounts. we thought this was a very good price so placed an order and it was all delivered 4 days later. I will permantly keep it on the teailer with my 20 hp merc 4 stroke outboard on the back.

Here is a little video of the first set up and adjusting the trailer which was very easy it all being new

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGuLbfS_iag

[chipko]

Nice set up. The T40’s are a beast. [emoji106]

If the bunks extend beyond and under the transom at the sides then you might be able to do away with the centre support. Would imagine this a real pain fouling the keel at the pointy end winching on and off.

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by chipko

Nice set up. The T40’s are a beast. [emoji106]

If the bunks extend beyond and under the transom at the sides then you might be able to do away with the centre support. Would imagine this a real pain fouling the keel at the pointy end winching on and off.

Interesting point. I didn't think about that one. At the slip I tend to use I put the trailer in the water quite deep so to minimise winching cos it is quite a pull on the bow fixing. Me and her indoors tend to wade in a little one of us each side and heave the boat forward with the handles.

Thanks for the heads up I will keep an eye on this.

I am liking these honwaves more and more and at the boat show I compared them with the excel offerings. At the Risk of starting a war I feel the Honwaves are better in many ways..... But then what would I know

[User name]

She's a beauty. It seems relatively straightforward to assemble. Do you know what the bare boat weighs? Is it too much for you to manage? I think if I was going to require a trailer then I'd just go with a RIB tbh.

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by User name

She's a beauty. It seems relatively straightforward to assemble. Do you know what the bare boat weighs? Is it too much for you to manage? I think if I was going to require a trailer then I'd just go with a RIB tbh.

One person could not lift it but me and Her indoors got it on the trailer more easy than I thought. I think the bare weight without the seats and anything else is about 80KG. As a fully rigged boat this is in my view only for a trailer.

But when you consider I paid only £2,500 for the boat, trailer, light board and extra seat all delivered it is way cheaper than a Rib. It will not perform quite as a Rib but it will be fine. Also if even on the odd occasion you wanted to fold it up for what ever reason you can. You simply cant do this with a Rib unless it is an Frib.

I have not used it yet (I have the T38 IE and the T35AE) But by all accounts these go very well on a 20 hp.

[smallribber]

For a bit of fun and for those that wont watch the full video here is the 'Process' in a nutshell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbDr5bo9Z6M&t=6s

[69cmw]

Interesting info plumbs. I was looking at a T40 today in Gaelforce Marine, I have an Extreme EXT 350 bunked trailer, the EXT 400 only has a longer drawbar when I looked at the dimensions, not sure if that’s true but that was off of Extremes website.
A T40 and a 25hp 2 stroke could be tempting [emoji848]

[User name]

Originally Posted by Easedalenovice

One person could not lift it but me and Her indoors got it on the trailer more easy than I thought. I think the bare weight without the seats and anything else is about 80KG. As a fully rigged boat this is in my view only for a trailer.

But when you consider I paid only £2,500 for the boat, trailer, light board and extra seat all delivered it is way cheaper than a Rib. It will not perform quite as a Rib but it will be fine. Also if even on the odd occasion you wanted to fold it up for what ever reason you can. You simply cant do this with a Rib unless it is an Frib.

I have not used it yet (I have the T38 IE and the T35AE) But by all accounts these go very well on a 20 hp.

That seems a bit heavier than I would have thought. Is that including the floor? I'm comfortable with 70ish kg on my own, excluding the floor.

Seems you got a lot for your money though. I've been hovering over the "Add to basket" button on one of these for a while. Like you, I prefer to have the oars in their fitted position instead of taking up space inside the boat. It would be nice to have some keepers installed for those that prefer it this way.

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by 69cmw

Interesting info plumbs. I was looking at a T40 today in Gaelforce Marine, I have an Extreme EXT 350 bunked trailer, the EXT 400 only has a longer drawbar when I looked at the dimensions, not sure if that’s true but that was off of Extremes website.
A T40 and a 25hp 2 stroke could be tempting [emoji848]

That is correct the only difference between a EXT350 and a EXT400 is a longer draw bar. If you have an EXT350 Extreme will sell you the longer draw bar predrilled for £70.

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by User name

That seems a bit heavier than I would have thought. Is that including the floor? I'm comfortable with 70ish kg on my own, excluding the floor.

Seems you got a lot for your money though. I've been hovering over the "Add to basket" button on one of these for a while. Like you, I prefer to have the oars in their fitted position instead of taking up space inside the boat. It would be nice to have some keepers installed for those that prefer it this way.

The published weight is 86kg with the floor and one seat and Oars. The seat is very heavy. That is why I quoted 80kg which includes the floor but not the seat or oars.

The oar keepers are not very necessary because the flat blade of the oar holds it in place. The keepers would be nice but they would stick up you rear end if you are a tube sitter

[smallribber]

The current price of the T40 AT Seamark Nun is £1,215 which I think is a bargain for such a quality boat

https://seamarknunn.com/acatalog/hon...2.html#SID=642

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Easedalenovice

I am liking these honwaves more and more and at the boat show I compared them with the excel offerings. At the Risk of starting a war I feel the Honwaves are better in many ways.....

Why? No war, just interested.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Why? No war, just interested.

Yep always interested in others views especially when comparing two boats of the same size.

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Why? No war, just interested.

Well looking closely at the show and having owned 3 honwaves but I accept not owned an excel I felt that the Honwave was/is

1) Generally of a better build quality
2) Has the dealer back up of Honda
3) Has a warranty that is well tested by many
4) They are generally a bit cheaper
5) Well known brand with better resale value if that is your bag
6) Better seat fixings generally
7) Tried and tested design
8) Excellent sea keeping
9) Generally much lighter size for size (Especially the T38)
10) The carry bag is very durable
11) The turn up at the front is higher and I suspect a drier ride
12) The transom is very thick and inspires confidence
13) I prefer the look and styling of the Honwaves
14) 3 Tried and tested floor designs

[Steve509926]

Mostly subjective, however the stand out has to be point 10. Excels bag is sh1t

[User name]

Originally Posted by Easedalenovice

Well looking closely at the show and having owned 3 honwaves but I accept not owned an excel I felt that the Honwave was/is

1) Generally of a better build quality
2) Has the dealer back up of Honda
3) Has a warranty that is well tested by many
4) They are generally a bit cheaper
5) Well known brand with better resale value if that is your bag
6) Better seat fixings generally
7) Tried and tested design
8) Excellent sea keeping
9) Generally much lighter size for size (Especially the T38)
10) The carry bag is very durable
11) The turn up at the front is higher and I suspect a drier ride
12) The transom is very thick and inspires confidence
13) I prefer the look and styling of the Honwaves
14) 3 Tried and tested floor designs

The GRP transom is a nice addition too, so you won't have to worry about rot.

I'm not sure if Excel do them too but I've only ever seen timber.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by User name

The GRP transom is a nice addition too, so you won't have to worry about rot.

I'm not sure if Excel do them too but I've only ever seen timber.

It's GRP with a timber core, so will still suffer rot if the GRP is compromised and the timber ever gets wet.

Excels transom are GRP with a timber core.

[Fenlander]

Yes and having drilled several holes in a Honwave transom I can say for 100% that timber core is far lower quality and less rot resistant than say a Zodiac all timber transom of the same thickness. Totally acceptable for the price and expected use though.

That list of "benefits" has more than a hint of OYZ promotion about it.

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

That list of "benefits" has more than a hint of OYZ promotion about it.

Well there is no way I can prove my next statement other than to say it is true. Believe it or not.

I have no reason to promote any product as I buy and pay for all of them myself with the money I have earned. I receive no incentives from any companies.

I got some discounts simply because I was at the boat show when I placed the order and that is the nature of the show

I simply share my experiences and views so that others might benefit if they so wish. It is of course up to them.

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Mostly subjective, however the stand out has to be point 10. Excels bag is sh1t

A few more I forgot.

I feel the excel boats are too wide.
The Honwave dealer network means there are many people to buy from.
I have had some interaction with the new owners of excel and I am not particularly impressed