SIB Info - Rush of Blood to the head - About to buy!

SigmaF · 17 August 2020, 11:50

Hello All,

Having just returned from another weekend at the Llyn Peninsular in the camper, I'm now having a rush of blood to the head and am about to buy a SIB outfit!

We live reasonably local, have been looking at boats for years and have two small children, so now is the time to get on the water!

We're going back next week for a week, so I'm hoping to quickly find an outfit and put some serious google time in!

Questions to the experienced:

- Do we want an aluminium floor?
- Am thinking around 3.5m (we'll transport in the camper) - for 2 adults and 2 7yr olds
- What size motor is optimum? We'll be pottering around the coastline, fishing, snorkelling.
- Brands? Some quick research suggests Excel are worth a look? Our local is Europa?

Some great info on this forum by the looks of things, look forward to many hours of research!

Thanks,

Fenlander · 17 August 2020, 12:14

Just on way out so briefly...

Have you read through the Which SIB sticky?

3.5m a good size for your family. Ideal motor probably a 15hp.

And welcome to the forum.

Fenlander · 17 August 2020, 12:19

Re floor alloy often bit cheaper... heavier to maul about while setting up... some can be frustrating getting the alloy panels and side stiffeners engaged... nice flat stable floor for family to stand on.

benhben · 17 August 2020, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigmaF

Hello All,

Questions to the experienced:

- Do we want an aluminium floor?

Thanks,

Depending what the use is Id think hard about an alloy floor or an air floor. Air floor will be a bit more wobbly but a doddle to set up. Alloy or wooden floors add a good chunk of time and effort to set up. Benefit is they are more stable to sit on. Question is would the extra effort stop you using it as often?

I sold my last SIB as I couldn't face setting up the wooden floor panels anymore, well specifically the retaining side slats. I grew to loathe putting it together. I now have an airfloor honwave, which gets a bit bouncy in the rough but it set up in a fraction of the time.

If you're deflating and storing after use id go for an air floor personally.

Pikey Dave · 17 August 2020, 13:11

What size camper are you transporting it in? If it’s a motor home with a decent garage, you’ll fit it in. If it’s a van conversion (VW?) you’ll seriously struggle for space, especially with 2 kids.

Jung at Heart · 17 August 2020, 15:28

Taking up Pikey Dave’s point, I have a conversion which will take the T38, 20hp outboard and associated kit in the boot but it leaves little room for anything else so all our kit for staying away needs to travel in the van.

I’ve decided to get a trailer (not a boat trailer) to take the outboard and boat when I’m going away camping.

There’s is a pic somewhere on the forum that shows how full the boot of my van is with the air deck SIB in.

If your van has the rear seat on rails it may be that you’ll have enough space without a trailer as you can make the boot huge, unfortunately mine is fixed.

I’d recommend an air deck if your packing it in to a conversion sized van, I had a T40 with the aluminium floor and packed away it took up the boot and back of the van and left no space for rear seat passengers, it was huge.

Fenlander · 17 August 2020, 16:38

Just for interest here is my 3.8m with 15hp and all the kit needed for a day on the sea. Bow trolley optional. Outboard trolley left at home.

SigmaF · 17 August 2020, 17:40

Thanks all,

Really useful information so far!

Camper is a reasonably large Boxer XLWB with a Garage in the rear (for our motorcycles) - so, space should be okay!

Out of interest, on the pic above, what sort of range/time do you get from a fuel tank of that size?

Steve509926 · 17 August 2020, 17:43

Hi, if it's a vw type camper I think you may struggle with 2 kids and associated luggage, especially if you carry a drive away awning in the back.
I'm new to SIBing, first outing was this month so I know the difficult choices you have.
I have posted a couple of reviews which may help with your decision, but briefly I went for a Excel SD360 airdeck with a 15hp OB. The SD360 because of size, portability, the flat deck (I have a dog) and quality V's price. The 15hp OB because I have two large sons in law's and I want it to plane when they are on board! Good luck with your decision.

Fenlander · 17 August 2020, 18:39

>>> on the pic above, what sort of range/time do you get from a fuel tank of that size?

25lit tank would give me about 32 Nm safe trip with a 15hp 2-stroke.... or 50 Nm with a modern 20hp efi.

The safe range I give is one third out, one third back and one third in reserve.

Because of their better range newer 4-strokes up to 20hp often come with 12l tanks.

jeffstevens763@g · 17 August 2020, 19:30

Something to think about I had a zodiac 310 solid packed in a duuo trailer I made two goal posts for the trailer so I could put the boat on fully set up with the engine inside the trailer it worked very well for short journeys and meant one set up and down for a weeks holiday

Glow · 17 August 2020, 23:19

I am considering selling my sib, Bombard Aerotec with a 20hp Tohatsu motor, less than 20 hours on the motor. Plus wheels etc

Pm me if this outfit sounds like it would fit your requirements.

Max... · 18 August 2020, 08:02

Read the Which Sib sticky and check the eBay topic, some great outfits being listed lately.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124302623281

smallribber · 18 August 2020, 14:54

Have a look at this thread this boat is excellent value and is very good quality in my view

https://www.rib.net/forum/f50/very-a...sib-84050.html

Steve509926 · 18 August 2020, 17:01

I cant comment about the SIB that smallriber is suggesting as I've not seen it, it wasn't what I was looking for at the time when I bought my SIB I wanted an airdeck. However, the company is very close to where I live. Northern Diver are a long established, well respected distributor/manufacturer of high quality Scuba diving gear. Had a lot of investment recently building a huge diving chamber. I would tend to think (can't confirm) that this is a recent foray into SIBs and RIBs and knowing the company as I do, I don't think they would sell rubbish and that if any problems did arise, it would be sorted very quickly as they wouldn't want to tarnish their diving fraternity reputation.

smallribber · 18 August 2020, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve509926

I cant comment about the SIB that smallriber is suggesting as I've not seen it, it wasn't what I was looking for at the time when I bought my SIB I wanted an airdeck. However, the company is very close to where I live. Northern Diver are a long established, well respected distributor/manufacturer of high quality Scuba diving gear. Had a lot of investment recently building a huge diving chamber. I would tend to think (can't confirm) that this is a recent foray into SIBs and RIBs and knowing the company as I do, I don't think they would sell rubbish and that if any problems did arise, it would be sorted very quickly as they wouldn't want to tarnish their diving fraternity reputation.

When I bough the sib from them they were a pleasure to deal with and did everything they said they would. The SIB from them was of very high quality