Time for a new SIB

Keltoyboy · 21 June 2020, 11:19

Hello All,

As the title says i have decided and now completed my purchase of a new SIB.

I have previously owned a SIB and in fact i still have it (yam280sti) but will cover that in a separate topic at a later date as it is in need of some TLC. The Yam was only ever used as a tender so not a lot of thought went into it.
At this moment and time i need to get back out on the water without any of the hassle big boat ownership brings so i thought why not a decent Sib.
So i joined this group and so glad i did as there is so much helpful information and people on here and this can avoid us relative newbies to this life avoid any major pitfalls.
The area i will be using the boat will be on the west coast of Ireland at the mouth of the Shannon so obviously i will need something a little bigger than the 2.7 and after lots of reading and chats with some of the guys on here i decided i would have a look at the Excel as the 435 looked a nice size and the fact it has 5+1 Air chambers with 500mm tubes really impressed me. I liked the look of the Honwave t40 but the extra 350mm on the 435 drew me in and it had to be an Aluminium floor as i was going to keep it on a trailer.
I read Jeff Stevens post on his new Excel was 435 and was really impressed and loved the look of it in Black so i decided i would visit the Excel factory/Headquarters after speaking to Terry Wright (Owner of Excel).

Keltoyboy · 21 June 2020, 11:35

I Visited the premises of Excel on Friday the 20th of June and was disappointed as there was no showroom and the place is a bit hap hazard with different boats in different condition all over the yard. There was no 435 to see as he had none inflated and was reluctant to do so as he was of the mindset that it then made them secondhand. I wanted to see one in the flesh as i wanted to be sure it was big enough for me and perhaps compare it to the 485 as that may have been an option if i felt the 435 was not big enough.
He did show me one 435 which was in for repairs as someone had slashed its tubes and it had a centre console but gave me no idea as it looked nothing like a boat.
There was a 795 sitting on a trailer ready to be collected which was massive.
So after chatting with Terry after a long wait he told me he had only two red 435’s left in stock after i told him i wanted a black 435 so i asked him to check his stock as i didn’t want red and he came back to me and said he found a Grey one on the shelf also after looking at a small grey boat in the yard i said i could live with the grey but as i was still unsure about the boat size until i see it fully inflated.
After a bit of deliberation Terry agreed to inflate the boat after i said i would definitely purchase if i was happy with the size and i thought i would be but i needed to be sure!

Fenlander · 21 June 2020, 12:01

I've never met Terry but suspect I've met others like him in the past and from what others say he either frustrates or you want him to be your best friend for life. In fact there's a customer of his on here who swings between those two positions depending on the wind direction.

Keltoyboy · 21 June 2020, 12:22

Def not best friend for life material, very frustrating TBH.
I am trying to upload photos but keeps coming up with invalid file, help anyone???

Keltoyboy · 21 June 2020, 14:50

I am trying to upload from an iPad and i keep getting invalid file i have tried all formats and reduced size down to 71kb’s and still no joy, ideas or info greatly appreciated.

Highland Haggis · 21 June 2020, 16:19

Was the 435 black and have a white console in the middle if so that sounds like my boat hope you enjoy your new toy HH

chipko · 21 June 2020, 19:21

Ha Ha! Hard work that Terry bloke.

Been to his showroom aka warehouse. Boxes everywhere and sod all on show inside and dirty/half inflated boats strewn around outside balanced on old pallets or the ground. Whole place more akin to a set from Steptoe & Son! Visited his stand at the boat show...set out like another warehouse minus the walls.

Enquired after a Volaire 430 in light grey. Greeted with a look of astonishment as why not black, followed by at least a 9 month wait for a grey one.

Despite the Volaire’s air floor being an outright Chinese copy of the Russian Solar boats, denied all knowledge of ever having heard of these. Reckon the Ruskies’ have been a bit lax in the patents dept!!

In reality the Volaires a decent boat, albeit more utilitarian in the flesh with faceted tubes rather than curved as shown on the website....why such discrepancies?

Walked away in the end.

Keltoyboy · 22 June 2020, 01:12

Highland ,that was the one Black with white console and black fenders and two fuel separators, a lovely set up with additional strength.rubbing strake under the front, but the burning question is who did you upset???

Keltoyboy · 22 June 2020, 12:49

Attached pic of Excel attached

Fenlander · 22 June 2020, 14:24

Is that the grey one you bought? Quite a nice shade... bit darker than mine which shows marks a bit too easily.

The Gurnard · 22 June 2020, 14:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keltoyboy

Highland ,that was the one Black with white console and black fenders and two fuel separators, a lovely set up with additional strength.rubbing strake under the front, but the burning question is who did you upset???

Sounds to me like Terry slashed the price of this boat in his last sale ?

Keltoyboy · 22 June 2020, 21:10

Fenland yes thats the one its quiet a nice grey in the flesh.

Keltoyboy · 22 June 2020, 21:36

Some Pics Taken at Terry's yard and one of the seat which seems way too small, didn't realise this until i had it home.

Pikey Dave · 22 June 2020, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keltoyboy

Some Pics Taken at Terry's yard and one of the seat which seems way too small, didn't realise this until i had it home.

You need some of these for the seat. Otherwise it slides sternwards. They also give you a handy tie down point.

Rovtop 6 Pcs Tarp Clips Lock Grip... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075DV6N...p_mob_ap_share

Keltoyboy · 22 June 2020, 21:45

PD Thanks for the link i am using clamps at the moment in the pic above,

Keltoyboy · 22 June 2020, 21:53

Bow Dodger in black as Terry says not available in Grey not sure i believe him as i have seen a grey one on the site recently ( May be another manufacturer)

jeffstevens763@g · 22 June 2020, 21:55

Looking good Liam the bag is far too small, out of interest how far is the cav plate below the keel on your boat mine was 50 MM

Pikey Dave · 22 June 2020, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keltoyboy

Bow Dodger in black as Terry says not available in Grey not sure i believe him as i have seen a grey one on the site recently ( May be another manufacturer)

Lose the straps🥴

Keltoyboy · 22 June 2020, 22:07

Which Straps PD? The ones on the Dodger??

spartacus · 23 June 2020, 00:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keltoyboy

Which Straps PD? The ones on the Dodger??

Suspect it's the straps over the sponsons. Bit of pet-hate on the site. Can cause issues with rubbing or over-pressurise the tubes.

Secure at the bow towing eye where the winch straps connects, but add another line as a break-away to the trailer itself, and tie down at the transom on both sides if there are U bolts there.