Hello from Oxfordshire

[billc]

Hello all,

I dont have a boat at present although I am actively looking, have been through various hulls throughout the years from wood to fiberglass to Aluminium. I'm now retired and moving down towards the south coast around Christchurch and looking forward to getting out with something light and manageable for exploring the area and fishing.

[Hat]

Morning, welcome to the site,plenty of helpful people.

[Dry Run]

Welcome

[Fenlander]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Is something light an inflatable or a small rib on a trailer?

[Brinormeg]

Hi welcome to the site. I am sure you will get plenty of good advice here. These below seem popular by members on here.
If looking for inflatable lighter weight set up like a sib there are lots of options but seems on my research the Elling KB 350 and the Honwave air flow range are the lightest (and potentially lighter outboard to move them along).
Followed perhaps by the Excel Volante (with seperate air floor) and then the Excel Volaire ( which I am just waiting delivery)
On the next level are your removable solid floors which most brands seem to do, or an option like a F-rib. The next is really down to trailering which in my opinion and for my use I would then be looking at a small rib rather than sib.
As with everything it might mean a compromise between weight, finance, practicality and this year in particular.....supply!
Goodluck in which ever way you go

[billc]

Hi Fenlander,
I'm thinking along the lines of a SIB at the moment as parking space is rather tight at my partner's house, she will probably join me on most trips out so I will look at boats in the 3.8 range that's suitable for fish in the solent area.

[billc]

Originally Posted by Brinormeg

Hi welcome to the site. I am sure you will get plenty of good advice here. These below seem popular by members on here.
If looking for inflatable lighter weight set up like a sib there are lots of options but seems on my research the Elling KB 350 and the Honwave air flow range are the lightest (and potentially lighter outboard to move them along).
Followed perhaps by the Excel Volante (with seperate air floor) and then the Excel Volaire ( which I am just waiting delivery)
On the next level are your removable solid floors which most brands seem to do, or an option like a F-rib. The next is really down to trailering which in my opinion and for my use I would then be looking at a small rib rather than sib.
As with everything it might mean a compromise between weight, finance, practicality and this year in particular.....supply!
Goodluck in which ever way you go

Hello Brinormeg,
Thanks for your input, I have been looking at the honwave which I like the look of , but I will visit a few dealers an look at as many as I can before I make the final decision.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by billc

Hello Brinormeg,
Thanks for your input, I have been looking at the honwave which I like the look of , but I will visit a few dealers an look at as many as I can before I make the final decision.

Hi billic, normally I would fully agree with the way you're thinking - "I will visit a few dealers and look at as many as I can". I managed to do that at the end of the first lock down in June 2020, but even then there was very few dealers with SIBs.
Covid, Brexit, Staycations (being to hate the word!) has created a shortage of new SIBs and pushed up used prices to stupid levels. You may find it difficult to veiw SIBs at dealers as they may not have what your looking, or have any on display, or have any stock.
I would suggest you research as much as you can (the forum is a mine of information) and narrow your preferred choice down to 2 or 3 (not many SIBs are light and manageable at 3.8mtrs so it shouldn't take to much research) then contact dealers to see if there are any available.

[billc]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Hi billic, normally I would fully agree with the way you're thinking - "I will visit a few dealers and look at as many as I can". I managed to do that at the end of the first lock down in June 2020, but even then there was very few dealers with SIBs.
Covid, Brexit, Staycations (being to hate the word!) has created a shortage of new SIBs and pushed up used prices to stupid levels. You may find it difficult to veiw SIBs at dealers as they may not have what your looking, or have any on display, or have any stock.
I would suggest you research as much as you can (the forum is a mine of information) and narrow your preferred choice down to 2 or 3 (not many SIBs are light and manageable at 3.8mtrs so it shouldn't take to much research) then contact dealers to see if there are any available.

Hi Steve509926,
Yes I've noticed the covid tax on everything that floats plus a few other things. I am not in a desperate hurry as I have various building jobs to do so the remainder of this year will be for research and recce of the area and hopefully things will improve by next year.