What is your best mod on a sib?

[danilo]

I searched here and on the net, but could not find anything substancial about sib mods or essentials for them.
It would be very useful for boating begginers to see what essential items are kept by experienced boaters in their sib while afloat as well as what mods have they made to them.
Please go ahead and share info or photos of your joy and pride!
Any tips & tricks would be welcome too!

[Hugh Jardon]

Originally Posted by danilo

I searched here and on the net, but could not find anything substancial about sib mods or essentials for them.
It would be very useful for boating begginers to see what essential items are kept by experienced boaters in their sib as well as what mods have they made to them.
Please go ahead and share info or photos of your joy and pride :-)

proper transom wheels that allow you to drag the boat up a beach thru soft sand, but fold up above the engine when on the water, perfect for allowing a greater freedom of use

also they go under the boat to give it a better balance for dragging along with less effort

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jardon

proper transom wheels that allow you to drag the boat up a beach thru soft sand, but fold up above the engine when on the water, perfect for allowing a greater freedom of use

Agreed launching wheels are the best mod for a SIB if you are beach-hopping or launching some distance from the car park.

I also carry an anchor/chain/cable, 5 litres of spare fuel/oil, oars/paddles and a handheld VHF. Been meaning to fit a pair of fishing rod holders to the transom, but it hasn't happened yet - maybe this season.

Good cheap fun, buzzing about in a SIB in the summer.

[Lugnut]

Years ago I had a Zodiac MkII that I'd take out alone. One of the best things I did with that boat was reuse some old trim tabs that an gentleman gave me when he renovated his boat.

The trim tabs made that SIB jump onto a plane much easier with less dramatic bow rise. Helped a lot in windy conditions.

[Nick Hearne]

Transom wheels & raised the engine 1.5" as I was getting a lot of water over the transom with light loads at WOT!

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

... raised the engine 1.5"....

Hmm - a jack plate on a SIB...

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Hmm - a jack plate on a SIB...

Just keeping up with Codders!

[danilo]

Great, thanks guys!
Keep them coming, this could be then posted as a sticky in SIB section, did I say SIB section?
Seriosly, this is the only forum I know of that includes a lot of good general info on sibs even though it's primary designation is RIB (which I am hoping to upgrade to in a couple of years time).
@John, do you think new SIB section within the forum would be feasable?

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by danilo

Great, thanks guys!
Keep them coming, this could be then posted as a sticky in SIB section, did I say SIB section?
Seriosly, this is the only forum I know of that includes a lot of good general info on sibs even though it's primary designation is RIB (which I am hoping to upgrade to in a couple of years time).
@John, do you think new SIB section within the forum would be feasable?

That sounds like a nice idea.

As for mods, one of the best jobs I have seen was not done by me!

Adding an underslung box to the seating plank, with a fixed vhf, stereo and battery all enclosed and easy to remove. I intend to make up a prototype with an angled facia and sounder/plotter in place of the hi-fi.

*All credit to andreworiordan*

[Sinistre1]

Love the idea of an SIB section (as an SIB owner of course ) Malthouse, have you any pictures of your project. I am in the planning stage of something similar (using a large tool box as the housing for waterproofing, lightweight and transport ease (box has habdle and detachable wheel section!))

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by danilo

Great, thanks guys!
Keep them coming, this could be then posted as a sticky in SIB section, did I say SIB section?
Seriosly, this is the only forum I know of that includes a lot of good general info on sibs even though it's primary designation is RIB (which I am hoping to upgrade to in a couple of years time).
@John, do you think new SIB section within the forum would be feasable?

Danilo, I'll second that, a good idea, let's read what John has to say, maybe move all sib's posts to this new section so to have sibs and ribs threads. A much easier to find section per type of boat.

Happy Boating

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Sinistre1

Love the idea of an SIB section (as an SIB owner of course ) Malthouse, have you any pictures of your project. I am in the planning stage of something similar (using a large tool box as the housing for waterproofing, lightweight and transport ease (box has habdle and detachable wheel section!))

I do not, but andreworiordan does.

[andreworiordan]

Hey Guys, just saw this thread. I made myself this box from marine ply and put a coating of watertite on it to seal it, it is now fully waterproof. I am planning to make a mould for a fiberglass version, The box houses a Cobra Marine VHF radio, A sony CD player with a Sony waterproof case and two
300watt Fusion marine waterproof Speakers. the switch for my nav lights are also built into the box. there is a access hatch at the back in case i need to make any modifications to the wiring

[andreworiordan]

I also put down a foam floor as a few people that come out with me like to sit on the floor, My boat has a aluminium floor which can be uncomfortable in choppy conditions. I added a nav light to the stern which also acts as my flag poll. For my aerial i ordered a very flexible one from plastimo, you can bend it in half without snapping it.What i want to add next are those wheels for the back, Im hoping to do bit of traveling and would need to beach my boat.

In these pictures you can see:

Picture

1&2 The Foam Floor
3 The VHF Aerial
4 The Navigation Light/Flag Poll

Some of what I bring with me when going out:

-20lt Spare fuel
-20lt Main tank
-Flares/Air Horn in dry bag
-GPS (etrex) and Garmin 276C
-handheld VHF radio
-Base VHF Radio
-Electric Pump
-Oars
-Search Light
-Ropes
-Anchor

etc....

[m chappelow]

have to admit the foam floor makes hell of a difference to comfort especially in a small sib in rough water when its safer to sit inside rather on the sponsons, i was lucky as my present boat is ex rnli and the foam mattress came with it, its like having a car with suspension and i dont use mine without it now ,all those years with stiff knee caps after a day out at sea i should have had one before. i think you have made a brilliant job of your boat .i have always made modifications to my past boats ,i must be the only person to go from sibs to ribs then back to sibs ,im always chopping up containers or making anchor boxes out of plastic crates to fit in the bow .

[matt h]

my new SIB as recommended by Nick!!

[ian parkes]

I do like andrews box it also gives a seperate section in the bow for gear , that was the worst problem with a sib , holding gear in place especially in an air floor .

My best mod was a transom fuel tank and a climbing sling used as a strap to hang onto in the rough .
You can quickly loop a climbing sling in the right place wherever you sit , and it also makes a usefull loop to put your foot in when getting back in the boat after a swim .
Sib section is a great idea as I reckon they are going to becomeeven more popular with the cost of fuel rising as it is

[Clipper]

a SIB section is a great idea, this is the only active forum i know of that dicusses SIB related issues. The information is very valuable, and having a 'sticky' would be a great quick reference point.

[Nasher]

Go on John, you know you want to, give us a SIB section

I'm mucking about with the smaller Nashers SIB at the moment, and have some mods planned that I could post.

Nasher.

[Hugh Jardon]

i think that a sib section would be a great idea also, many of us have sibs and many folks with sibs aspire to have ribs and some of us that had ribs have moved to sibs

all round i think it would be great

perhaps we could have a motorhome section as well!!!!!!!!