Hi There

[Sonofgum]

I'm a newbie to RIB inflatables and know very little about them (I currently have a packraft and that's the limit of my experience !!). I hoping to get a RIB over the summer for myself and Grandson. It will be used predominately in the Lake District on Ullswater and Derwentwater. I'm torn between a Honwave T32 or an Excel SD330, both about the same price and size. Does anyone have advice between the 2? That and any other advice anyone could give would be very welcome.

[Fenlander]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Both decent easy to set up boats with their air floors. I prefer the Honwave but it does have the downside of needing more expensive special fit transom wheels.

What size of outboard are you thinking?

David

[Sonofgum]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Both decent easy to set up boats with their air floors. I prefer the Honwave but it does have the downside of needing more expensive special fit transom wheels.

What size of outboard are you thinking?

David

Hi David

Not sure yet, a lot depends on budget but I'm thinking a 10 hp although I have heard there is no difference in weight between a 10 hp and a 15 hp. It would depend entirely on cost.

Thanks for your reply

Phil

[Fenlander]

Yep it's always best to get a 15hp with the 10/15 weighing the same in most used 2-strokes. But if thinking newer 4 strokes it needs looking at with more care between specific makes as sometimes the 10 may weigh less but the 15 be the same as a 20.

[Sonofgum]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Yep it's always best to get a 15hp with the 10/15 weighing the same in most used 2-strokes. But if thinking newer 4 strokes it needs looking at with more care between specific makes as sometimes the 10 may weigh less but the 15 be the same as a 20.

Up to now I've only been looking at the 4-strokes, I've not seen many 2-strokes unless I'm missing something.
It would have to be 2nd hand initially and probably an ebay special !!

[beamishken]

If your just on lakes then a 9.8 tohatsu two stroke (not 9.9) or 8hp yamaha 2 stroke would be a good compromise between weight and speed there both way lighter than a 9.9/15 two stroke but should easily achieve the legal maximum on the lakes.
If your planning on going elsewhere then I'd go for 15 hp 2 stroke yam/mariner or tohatsu 15 or 18

[baldrick]

Originally Posted by Sonofgum

Up to now I've only been looking at the 4-strokes, I've not seen many 2-strokes unless I'm missing something.
It would have to be 2nd hand initially and probably an ebay special !!

Brand new 9.8 Tohatsu still available from outside the UK, Mainbrayce in Alderney have them for about £1500...

[Sonofgum]

Originally Posted by beamishken

If your just on lakes then a 9.8 tohatsu two stroke (not 9.9) or 8hp yamaha 2 stroke would be a good compromise between weight and speed there both way lighter than a 9.9/15 two stroke but should easily achieve the legal maximum on the lakes.
If your planning on going elsewhere then I'd go for 15 hp 2 stroke yam/mariner or tohatsu 15 or 18

It will be initially on the lakes. I wouldn't like to go on the sea until I become significantly more confident and experienced.
Are the 2 strokes reliable ? I only ask because of my old 2 stroke motorbike days where sometimes they were a chuffing nightmare to start ??

[beamishken]

Yes two strokes reliable
Sometimes more so than modern 4 strokes as there is less to go wrong and no worries about which side you lay it on as no sump oil to worry about
Also carbs are a little less likely to get blocked by poor or old fuel as there usually simpler and have larger size jets