Sib with welded seams ...?

[Kroaz Du]

Hello.

Well, this time i was ready to purchase a Takacat 380LX...

I wanted to know how much for several D-ring ...
So i visited a boat repairer (rib an sib). Who is renowned, make good job and is nice.
Very interested with this sib !

But he immediately pointed this must a Chinese product! With glued seams with some Chinese's pvc...
And then told me he refuse to try to work with this pvc ! And added that other boat repairer should be on the same opinion!!!

This little sib isn't cheap ! And now, it would not be reparable !!


He told me about German pvc and welded seams . Which he is happy to work on, and do with decent work.

WELL , now i have to search again an other sib , but with German pvc and welded seams !!!

My 2cd choice was True kit (with German pvc and welded seams !!!- Now i understand why Rod (True kit) insists on talking about German pvc and welded joints ... )

An other 2cd choice was Elling boat ( KB350 and Kardinal 420XP).
Which quality are fabrics and seams ?

I have found this one :
NEPTVN PRO 400
https://www.neptvn.com/
It seems to have German pvc and welded seams !


If i can't look to Chinese sib , there would not be a lot of choice !!

Do you know sib with decent fabric and welded seams ?

[Fenlander]

I've owned around ten SIBs over the past 15yrs of all makes and types. They varied from brand new to 10-20yrs old used ones.

My experience leads me to think it's more important to get the design type you want rather than worrying over-much about the welded vs glued of material country of origin. The proviso of course you only look at proper brands when you have a chance of backup if bought new and problems develop.

I've also patched different SIBs and they can all be glued to repair or add features. That's a personal choice of the repairer you mention who says he won't work on Chinese or glued seam models... doesn't mean it can't be done.

The only comment I'd make on the models you list is that the Neptvn is a very narrow semi-canoe style and not directly comparable to the others.

[Kroaz Du]

Hello.

Fenlander , i totally agree with what you point !

For the gluing of the accessories, I can certainly take care of that.

But if the boat needs a more important intervention, of the kind requiring the intervention of a professional, it will mean that I will not have anyone available around me!
I will have to travel in France to find someone (serious) ...

About the Neptvn , yes it wasn't my first choice ( nor 2cd ).
But i need to search further ...

True kit DISCOVERY 400 might be ok, but 30% expensive and heavier to carry ...

I need more informations about Elling products ! ...

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Kroaz Du

But if the boat needs a more important intervention, of the kind requiring the intervention of a professional, it will mean that I will not have anyone available around me!
I will have to travel in France to find someone (serious) ...

Hi, don't be afraid of doing your own repairs. There are very few repairs that can't be done by a competent DIY'er. I am by no means a professional and only done a few repairs, but if my SIB needed a repair that I couldn't do myself, it would be time to buy a new SIB, and remember you have a wealth of advice on this forum and instructional videos on YouTube.

Originally Posted by Kroaz Du

I need more informations about Elling products ! ...

I stand to be corrected, but I don't think Elling are back in production. They are made in Ukraine.

I don't know what percentage of sibs owned by members on this forum are made in the far east, from pvc with glued seams, but I would guess it's in the majority. If there was a problem with them, I think it would be highlighted on here.

If the Takacat 380 fits the bill for what you want from a SIB, IMO I'd go for it.

[Max...]

I would not worry - for the most part the glue issue is usually with the tube to transom anyway and nobody can weld PVC to wood or fibreglass so that is always glued regardless of the seams...

[Kroaz Du]

Well, if ever the Takacat 380 LX was the only one to mach my need, i would have to change my minds !!

I have to look again, anyway

Then about Elling, i read the factory in Marioupol was destroyed ...
The KB350 and Kardinal 420XP seem not to be available yet any more .
And i read that pvc would be a German fabric and glued .

I have found this :
https://www.gold-baits.com/boutique-en-ligne
https://www.gold-baits.com/boutique-...its-p426978019
https://www.gold-baits.com/boutique-...air-p490991856

Good point : German Valmex and glued welded seams ( and ultrasonic too )
and prices seems ok.
Bad : Heavy and are not design realy for sea ! Firstly for fresh water and carp fishing .Too very large exterior and interior width and tube diameter smaller ...

Do you have any interesting research leads?

[Steve509926]

You do appear to be jumping from one design of SIB to another, a Takacat 380 is a fun SIB which is totally different from the goldbait- Carp fishing, you've mentioned above.
I think it may be a good idea to start from the begining and say what you want from your SIB, how and where you are going to use it, how many people is it for, what are you thinking of powering it with? I think once you have a good idea of what type of SIB you want/need and what you want from a SIB, then you can start looking for which make/model. Until you've done that you will be going around in circles as you appear to be doing now.

[Kroaz Du]

Hello.

My needs ( short version ! )are a sib for fishing seabass for me and sometime with an other angler .
A sib not too heavy to handle .
For the engine, according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Now i add an other need : That is boat repairer will accept to work with the sib ( if ever ...)
In this case, the Takacat 380 LX seemed perfect!
Until the red flag

They i am looking around in all direction (again) to find that sib .

And i am surprised to find those "clone" sib :
https://www.weststream.se/en/product/gummibat-ws-c38/#
https://www.weststream.se/en/product/gummibat-ws-s38/

https://www.greatwhite.se/gummibatar...reatwhite.html
https://www.greatwhite.se/gummibatar...skebaten-.html

Looks like these are the boats from True kit!!!

With German pvc and welded seams