Hi from a New old SiB user

[Ed110]

Hi from central Scotland, Port of Menteith area, (my nearest Port ), about as far from the sea as you can get in any direction in Scotland!

I've been using SiBs on and off for about 38 years, both through work as an engineer & commercial diver, and for leisure diving, exploring & island camping, all in Scotland, mostly west coast & the Hebrides. I'm boating pretty much just for fun now. I've been enjoying the forum from the sidelines for the last 6 months or so and thought it was time I took the plunge, introduced myself, and joined in. So Hi to all fellow SiB & RiB enthusiasts!

Currently have a Zodiac 380 classic, and now also an Excel 480 that I hope to get out for the first time for a run round Loch Fyne and the Kyles of Bute next weekend. Previous craft I've used at various times have been 4.8m Avon, 4.8m Zodiac, 3.8m Avon, 3.2m Avon and 3.8m Honwave SiBs, and a couple of different Pioner plastic boats, with a variety of Mariner, Yamaha and Honda engines between 15 and 50hp. I've always loved SiBs for their simple robust practicality - never scared to put one up against rocks or a scabby pier face when when inspecting/diving/surveying with work, or just exploring rocky shores, caves and cliffs for fun. And I've always found the 4.8m ones fine for scuba diving for 3 or 4. Also too mean to spend money on a RiB .

Have a question to post but I'll do that separately, just wanted to introduce myself and say Hi to everyone first.

All the best, Ed

[TmMorris]

Hello & welcome.

[Fenlander]

Hi Ed, welcome from me too.

You are in good company here with The Gurnard who tours the whole West coast by SIB and small RIB... plus Jeff who I think has spent decades in your line of work. Then there are loads more of us who enjoy leisure sibbing with pretty well every SIB type and engine make represented.

David

[jeffstevens763@g]

Hello Ed

Yep as fenlander says done the same as you sibs stand a lot of abuse and great fun

Cheers.

[Ed110]

Jeff, Fenlander & TmM,

many thanks for the welcome, its appreciated!

Ed

[Steve509926]

Hi Ed and welcome,

A few pics of your trip around Kyles of Bute (need to get back up there to eradicate bad memories!) and Loch Fyne when you go would be good.

What are you running on your Excel 480, a heavy lump to move.

[Ed110]

Steve,
thanks for the welcome, happy to post pics after my trip. This is first time for me using this boat, and I haven't got a dedicated engine for it, so I'm just using the Suzuki DF20 I have on my 3.8m zodiac. Perhaps a tad optimistic for this size & weight of boat, but we'll see how it goes before I start chasing engines. I'm curious to see that Excel rate this boat at 20-30hp. The 4.8m SiBs I've used through work have always carried either 30 or 40hp engines, but those were Avon & Zodiac military or commercial spec boats. Recommended power range for this boat seems a bit low, but my trial at the bottom end of the range will no doubt tell all. I know that 20hp works fine with the 435, but I think it may be a struggle on the 480. I'll report my experiences, good or bad......

[Steve509926]

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