SIB Quality v cost

emperor · 12 July 2009, 18:12

Hi,

looking to buy a SIB,

ideally will go for something secondhand, but if nothing comes up then it will be new:

looking at the following:

Quicksilver 3.4 Airdeck - £800

Honwave 3.8 airdeck - £895

and an outsider,

Avon 3.4m £1395

Does the quality of the Avon justify the price?

Are the Quicksilver / honda boats likely to be any better the lesser brands?

Any others i should consider.......All views welcome...........

Thanks
peter

chewy · 12 July 2009, 19:03

Is it the Hypalon or Duratex Quicksilver your looking at.

The Avon will be hypalon and easier to repair if you do damage it at all. I have a mid eighties Avon RIB which looks like it is on th original tubes, also had a Avon SIB which was very old but solid.

emperor · 12 July 2009, 19:42

its the duratex models i've looked at - i didn't know they did hypalon versions

tinker · 12 July 2009, 19:54

Having repaired Hypalon and a Zodiac PVC SIB I can see very little difference in repairing the materials. Both use two pack glues and the process is very similar. I use a controlled enviroment (a warm garage) and a few G clamps.

Anyone else had any experience repairing PVC SIB's?

br1anuk · 12 July 2009, 20:07

Pay the extra and get a Zodiac activ v. It's like putting money in the bank and you're guaranteed to get your money back when you sell it on.

Brian

prairie tuber · 13 July 2009, 03:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by br1anuk

Pay the extra and get a Zodiac activ v. It's like putting money in the bank and you're guaranteed to get your money back when you sell it on.

Brian

emperor · 13 July 2009, 16:10

I had a look at the Zodiac - looks good, but nearly as expensive as Avon, but made of pvc and not hyperlon surprisingly.

I suppose the Avon should prove more durable being Hyperlon ?

Fishery Pokery · 13 July 2009, 20:31

With hypalon I think the biggest plus is how long it lasts compared to PVC in my (limited) experiance.