WinBoat F360 at San Francisco Boat Show

ba_fisher · 23 January 2015, 00:01

I just came back from the SF Boat Show. I visited the WinBoat booth and had a nice chat with Yuri. Overall the boat looks very well constructed. I took some close-up photos for the benefits of people who don't have a chance to see the boat in person.

The PVC tubes are glued to the fiber glass hull. The glue is evenly applied and the seams are very straight. I didn't see any overflow or air gaps at the seams. The seams look much better than what you would see on cheaper inflatables.

The hull is a single layer. It seems substantial/rigid enough that when I stepped on the boat (laid on top of carpet) I didn't feel any flexing or creaking.

Yuri lives close to me and promised to let me take a test drive with the boat. I'll post more info when that happens.

ba_fisher · 23 January 2015, 00:02

More photos. There are two small holes near the lug nut that joins two floor pieces together. Not sure what the purpose is. These two holes definitely don't lead to the outside of the boat (see the photo in my next post). I think Phil mentioned in his original post that these holes are for water to flow from one compartment to the next, but they seem just way too small for me.

ba_fisher · 23 January 2015, 00:12

Here's how the two floor pieces join together. You don't see the two little holes from this side. And I don't see how water can flow through from one compartment to the next (unless the water somehow gets magically up the divider and down again ....).

Maybe Yuri can chime in and explain what the little holes are for.

ba_fisher · 23 January 2015, 00:14

The boat has been used a bit for trials and demos, so you can see some scratch marks on the transom. But otherwise it looks good.

ba_fisher · 23 January 2015, 00:17

More photos. This concludes my report from the City by the Bay :-)

Peter_C · 23 January 2015, 02:28

Great report!

What I see is non stainless hardware that holds the boat together and needs to come apart every time the boat is used if folded up.

Are those small holes not what the bolts with the rubber seals go thru? For which I could see them failing and leaking. My opinion is that it should be something that doesn't rust and can be easily taken apart by hand. Butterfly nuts are not cold finger friendly.

The design with the transom not being attached on the inside looks an "interesting" design choice.

I really like the idea of a light weight folding RIB though, so with a few minor improvements they should have a decent little boat.

If there is ever a demo day in the Bay Area (Preferably as far North as possibly), I would be interested in a ride just to see how it is. I might be needing a small boat in the future.

tworotorturbo · 23 January 2015, 03:50

I was out there today but didnt go into the pier for most the demos so thanks for posting! Didnt know the frib was on display. Looking forward to your test ride.

Winboat_US · 23 January 2015, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by ba_fisher

More photos. There are two small holes near the lug nut that joins two floor pieces together. Not sure what the purpose is. These two holes definitely don't lead to the outside of the boat (see the photo in my next post). I think Phil mentioned in his original post that these holes are for water to flow from one compartment to the next, but they seem just way too small for me.

These small holes were made to make sure the water doesn't stay in hollows of fiberglass hull sections

Winboat_US · 23 January 2015, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Great report!

What I see is non stainless hardware that holds the boat together and needs to come apart every time the boat is used if folded up.

Are those small holes not what the bolts with the rubber seals go thru? For which I could see them failing and leaking. My opinion is that it should be something that doesn't rust and can be easily taken apart by hand. Butterfly nuts are not cold finger friendly.

The design with the transom not being attached on the inside looks an "interesting" design choice.

I really like the idea of a light weight folding RIB though, so with a few minor improvements they should have a decent little boat.

If there is ever a demo day in the Bay Area (Preferably as far North as possibly), I would be interested in a ride just to see how it is. I might be needing a small boat in the future.

With regards to the bolts - many thanks for your comments, we were also looking at that problem and that's very true that butterfly nuts are not cold finger friendly (oh we know it in Russia

). As well, we also seen some problems with stainless steel bolts and nuts as they stick together in salt water. Now we came up with a solution - we have a new special plastic nut coming, and we will replace all boats in US with new plastic nut and stainless steel bolt.

apshutt · 23 January 2015, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winboat_US

With regards to the bolts - many thanks for your comments, we were also looking at that problem and that's very true that butterfly nuts are not cold finger friendly (oh we know it in Russia

). As well, we also seen some problems with stainless steel bolts and nuts as they stick together in salt water. Now we came up with a solution - we have a new special plastic nut coming, and we will replace all boats in US with new plastic nut and stainless steel bolt.

A good report and good feedback from Winboat_US too. Thank you both.

philpot · 24 January 2015, 22:30

Nicely put together report. The stainless bolt and nylon wing nut would be good, I hope they will turn up in the UK or perhaps you really nice guys in the US could send me one for my 330.

Phil

weimed · 25 January 2015, 23:32

i am excited to see a test run also

. Thank You for the report!!!!

office888 · 26 January 2015, 02:00

I'm not a big fan of glued seam PVC boats, but the concept is innovative to say the least.

Ronaldj · 07 February 2015, 15:48

Any update on the trial run

kestrel452 · 09 February 2015, 03:13

I will say that I am intrigued by these boats, a 106 lb dry weight for a 360cm rigid hull inflatable is impressive seeing as how the Zodiac 360 air floor isn't even 10 lbs lighter. Though at $3000+ a piece these should be made out of hypalon.

Do these come with storage bags? Are they any faster compared to their non rigid PVC bottom counterparts with the same HP motor?

Ronaldj · 09 February 2015, 03:47

It does come with a bag
I agree with you about the price.

In fact you can get a Zodiac/Avon/Achilles 310 with a folding transom and Hyperlon fabric for less than $3000
PVC under $2000

The other thing that concerns me about the Fboat/Winboat is that in North America there doesn't appear to be a decent dealer network, and as of right now. Nobody will work on the boat.
One would hope that the tubes are replaceable. If not the Fboat/Winboat become a questionable buy for people in a warm climate.
PVC just won't hold up

Chopperbill · 14 February 2015, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by kestrel452

I will say that I am intrigued by these boats, a 106 lb dry weight for a 360cm rigid hull inflatable is impressive seeing as how the Zodiac 360 air floor isn't even 10 lbs lighter. Though at $3000+ a piece these should be made out of hypalon.

Do these come with storage bags? Are they any faster compared to their non rigid PVC bottom counterparts with the same HP motor?

You can go to the Winboat web site and down load the literature. They list the 360 as 28 mph with a Suzuki 15 hp motor.
http://winboat.com/sites/default/fil...%20Winboat.pdf