Newbie to the water!

Stan450 · 23 September 2018, 20:19

Hey guys,

My name is Stan, living in Wicklow/Dublin Ireland, I'm 26 and I bought a sib!

Newbie to the water, at least I'm a newbie to having an engine! Was around kayaks and rowing for many years until a back injury caused anything with an orr to leave me in a bed ridden state for several days after being out on the water!

So I decided I'd do it as cheap as possible and try get back out and from looking around a sib seems to be the most bang for your buck for floating around the harbour and the coast!

A package of a Kolibri 450dsl sib with an alloy floor, a 15hp 4stroke Parson outboard with fuel tank and just been serviced and a galvised trailer popped up on a local sale site so was arranged to check it out. The man (absolute gent) lived near by the Shannon river and we went out on a test drive and I realised how much I missed the water so naturally when we loaded up the deal was done and I didn't unload till I got home! 😂

The Kolibri brand doesn't seem to be all that popular but they seem like half decent quality and there's few reviews, same with the parson but for the money I gave if they both serve me the year I'll be happy and maybe move up to a rib but it was a good entry level package to the world of motor boats!

Some great info here on the forum and no doubt some of you will answer some of my ridiculous questions at some point! 😂

Orwell boy · 23 September 2018, 20:54

well done ,enjoy your new adventure ,who knows where it may lead !

Fenlander · 24 September 2018, 09:28

Welcome to the forum. That is one monster SIB... you'll be able to take everyone in the street out!

You are right the SIB and OB brands aren't the most popular on here but you seem to have factored that in when buying so no problem.

Be good to hear how you get on with it first outing.

Remember no question is too ridiculous when you start out sibbing.

Stan450 · 24 September 2018, 16:27

It's a big one alright! From what I can find it seems to be on the brink on the biggest sib you can get at 4.5 meters (just shy of 15 foot).

I would do a bit with the rowing club as support boat so would have a bit a gear on board so needed the space!

Gazzago · 24 September 2018, 17:40

Welcome!
Not heard of that band of boat but if it floats...

Have fun. Keep us posted and have a good read on this site. Loads of info!

warder54 · 25 September 2018, 19:08

Have fun and enjoy, nice looking SIB. I had a Parsun 9.8 4st, loved it reliable, seemed bullet proof, had it 5 yrs and never failed to start 1st or 2nd pull, even the finish was durable and still looked great when I sold it on last year.