Which used SIB?

[Glow]

Looking for some advice please chaps!

I am looking for a used boat to replace my 2.9 mail speed airdeck, I intend to use my Tohatsu 9.8, at least in the short term.

My budget is around £800, and I would like something around 3.4-3.8m, I am undecided between another (better quality) airdeck or an aluminium floor.

It will be transported in the car for the most part, or in a box trailer.

I would like to use my zodiac futura wheels so need to avoid trim tabs on the boat.

There is a used 3.6m Tohatsu on e*ay that fits the bill, but I haven't seen one before so unsure of the quality of finish.

I also like the prowave oceanhd, which I could afford new.

Any advice on these models would be appreciated.

[woz72]

Iv got a tohatsu 380 sport..and we love it...nicely built and well thought out design the floor is a dodle to fit and assemble..

[woz72]

Originally Posted by woz72

iv got a tohatsu 380 sport..and we love it...nicely built and well thought out design the floor is a dodle to fit and assemble..

[rossymtb]

My last sib was from mail speed marine 2.9m air floor with inflatable keel and put short it was a terrible handling boat with more than 2 people. Was fine on my own

I have now Bought a Europa sport from my local dealer and it is fantastic 3.8m alloy floor has two seats so you can sit on the rear while operating it.

I used my 9.8 with both boats and its faster and handles better on the 3.8m

My alloy floor is simple to put in and is nice to stand on a solid floor when out fishing etc...

Folds up easy enough.

Easy enough to handle with launching wheels.

Takes waves a lot safer than the smaller one I used to have.

Id say go for it. They are £925 new or he has a slightly used one on his website at £725

[Max...]

If packing away then the consensus is air floor every time without doubt. Buy used every time for me too - Any 3.4m Zodiac, Quicksilver, Honwave is the classic combo with a Twat 9.8. Superb quality well known makes, won't fall apart and easy resale without loss, buying one of the cheaper Chinese clones means big depreciation come resale. I like the Yamaha boats too but I only had a hard floor model - not sure if they made air floors. Suzumar is another - I think the Yam's and Suzumars' were made by Zodiac and Quicksliver anyway, not sure who makes the Tohatsus' but another respected brand.

You've got the most desirable and sought after SIB engine too so that's half the story.

[rossymtb]

Old 2.9





New 3.8

[Glow]

Thanks all, I will speak to the seller about the Tohatsu, I hadn't consider the Europa but will have a look.

I was worried that the 9.8 may have been to small for a 3.8 boat, but that's good to know!

The mail speed has been on for the last 4 years but we have outgrown it, it is fair quality but handles like a motorised Wellington boot!

[rossymtb]

Put this way we had 2 adults and 4 kids age 5-12 and it still got on the plane with a very old 9.8 red band merc

[Max...]

This topic below might help and worth a search as it's a common question (will it plane?) with many previous topics - differing opinions but probably on a 3.8 (definitely if solid floor/marginal if air floor) you'd want a 15.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/will-a-...ane-56077.html

[Locozodiac]

To plane or not to plane with a 9.8 HP, that's the dilema : Points to consider

1-Need to have sib air topped to it's max tube/keel recommended working pressure.
2-Well trimmed engine.
3-Passengers well distributed on deck.
4-Engine perfect tail match to transom height (specially Tootsies)
5-A 9.8 HP has nothing to do with a 9.9 HP, If being 2 strokes, 9.8 is 170 CC ; 9.9 is 250CC different animals which tends to be confused between newbies.
6-A larger sib/rib with same HP engine will slide/plane much better than a shorter one, due to less hull drag specially at displacement speeds.

Glow, it's time you go for a alum floor sib. Tohatsus are nicely made as Woz has corroborated, by the way, nice combo congrats. Now a days, all sibs brands are Asian made/assembled with own colors and logos at big factories with imported Korean/German fabrics.

Due to globalization final users now can count with affordable prices than in the past when costly Zodiac and Avon used to be the masters of the sea. Reputed brands as Merc, Yam, Honwave, Tohatsu, Highfield should stand well for their warranties.

Happy Boating

[lockieboi]

I think the Prowave and the Europa are identiacal

[lockieboi]

I will start again.

I think The Prowave and the Europa are identical and are both shanghai specials.

I have the Prowave 3.8 Ali floor and its been good to me and done what I've asked of it.

The depreciation is a good point though, neither will hold there value.

There's pictures of mine on my profile.

[nmcleanphoto]

Im very happy with my Europa. Good build quality. Don't discount the offerings from the east. Honwave, Tohatsu all come from there.

[nmcleanphoto]

The reason the bow looks low in the last photo is because the painter is tight wrapped around the prop pulling it down. Lesson learnt, make the painter length no longer than the boat.So when a arse allows said painter to drag into the water the engine want come to a shattering halt in the middle of the Forth.

[rossymtb]

And the best of all is it can fit into the back of a golf. Although would be easier on a trailer with my heavy lump of a Johnson

[Ribtecer]

I have an Avon 310 Rover I bought nearly new 20 years ago (that makes me 41, blimey where does it all go) I love it, yes the floor is a pain and yes its a bit small now I have a family, on the look out for a mint bigger Avon, but Avon it must be...

[Glow]

Thanks for all the advice chaps, I plan in viewing a few before I commit.

Cheers!

[Glow]

Thanks again for all the advice chaps, I decided on a Honwave T35 and placed the order yesterday. Looking forward to it arriving Tuesday, should be out on Ullswater the Sunday after!