advice on sibs

[anthony]

Hi I am new to this forum and I don't know if this the right place to ask about information on sibs/inflatables but here it goes.
After looking at most of the makes of inflatables I have narrowed my choice down to 2 they are.

Quicksilver aerodeck 340 with a 15hp engine

Bombard aerotec 380 with either a 15hp or 25hp engine

The reason I have picked these 2 are because they are light,easy to set up and pack away and can be launched with dolly wheels.I will be looking to use the boat with my family(wife and child) or by myself or with another adult.Also when my when my daughter is old enough I would like to be able to tow inflatable toys.

Question 1

Is this the right choice of boat?

Question 2

The bombard is £700 more than the quicksilver.Apart from the extra 40cm in length and being able to take a 25hp engine is it worth spending that extra amount of money.Is it worth putting a 25hp engine on a small boat like this?

Question 3

What speed could i get from both boats with 2 adults?

question 4

Do you buy a engine by the max weight or max hp the boat can take?

question 5

2 or 4 stroke. The reason i ask is are they stopping making 2 stroke after 2006?

[John Kennett]

1. Either of these will almost certainly do what you want. Air floor is definitely the right choice -- I wouldn't even contemplate any other sort! Another one worth considering is the Zodiac Futura Fastroller.

2. That 40cm make a lot of difference when you're looking at boats in this size range, although a 340 will be ample for a couple of adults and a child. You'll get plenty of performance for normal use with a 15hp engine, and it will be very quick with a 25. Bear in mind the difference in cost for the engines as well as the boats, and also the additional weight of a 25hp (one person can just about carry it, but you wouldn't want to go far!)

3. I would guess at around 20 knots with the 15hp, a bit more with the 25hp. It will feel very fast though, and you won't want to go flat out in anything other than a flat calm.

4. Whichever is the lower limiting factor. Alternatively you may decide that you don't need to go to the maximum rated capacity for either.

5. Two strokes tend to be lighter and are more tolerant to being stored/carried at unusual angles. Four strokes are generally quieter and cleaner. At this sort of size, fuel economy is less on an issue than with bigger motors.

Sounds like you're set to have some fun. Let us know how you get on!

John

[Scary Des]

I would second what John is saying about 4 strokes, I have a Honda 2.3 for my tender and it is an oily engine because even handles carefully oil drips out of the breather
It is alright the whole time it is vertical on the boat but as soon as you move it, out comes the oil
A couple of things I would say in favour of a four stroke on your SIB is that it will be quieter and on a small boat sound matters
And the second thing is that not having to mix 2 stroke is a joy

Des

[Dino89]

hi
as well as a rib i have the bombard 420 with a yam30 hp for when i tow my caravan .it has been brilliant even in some seas i wish i hadnt been in !!
i would say get the steering and remotes its well worth the money also Bravo do a 12 volt eletric pump which with the high pressure floor is essential with this addition it makes the setup a pleasure.it takes approx 30 - 45 mins to setup and get in the water i have had 28mph out of this with 2 adults and 2 teenagers and it gives great fun with the toys !!
with the deep V hull the stability in the water is 2nd to none in the inflatables
one other thing i would recommend is dont get the bombard/zodiac launch wheels i did but they were a pain, i changed to the ones marine scene do swing up wheels so easy when your launching or recovering and no storage problems!!
if you want any more info be glad to help
Dino

[ADS]

Originally Posted by Scary Des

I would second what John is saying about 4 strokes, I have a Honda 2.3 for my tender and it is an oily engine because even handles carefully oil drips out of the breather
It is alright the whole time it is vertical on the boat but as soon as you move it, out comes the oil
A couple of things I would say in favour of a four stroke on your SIB is that it will be quieter and on a small boat sound matters
And the second thing is that not having to mix 2 stroke is a joy

Des

The Honda 2/2.3 HP is not a quiet 4 stroke though because its air cooled. I sold mine because it sounded like an AK47 and was a pig to start. Now have a Yamaha Malta, which seems a good all rounder. Agree about the oil leaks Des and how the plug oils up if you lay the engine down.

Alex

[Scary Des]

Originally Posted by ADS

The Honda 2/2.3 HP is not a quiet 4 stroke though because its air cooled.............

I agree that the 2.3 is not that quiet but the size anthony is talking about is
I still like the 2.3 because it has a clutch (of sorts), a kill cord and no impellor And lots of oil everywhere

I haven’t had any starting problems though. Des

[Nick Hearne]

Yamy Malta great bit of kit, I fitted a kill cord to mine
Nick

[ADS]

Originally Posted by Scary Des

I agree that the 2.3 is not that quiet but the size anthony is talking about is
I still like the 2.3 because it has a clutch (of sorts), a kill cord and no impellor And lots of oil everywhere

I haven’t had any starting problems though. Des

The Honda's are a good package, and easy to use and very economical. I think mine had a dubious history because when I went to look at it he was running it up in a bucket of water (its air cooled ) and he was even kind enough to chuck in a pair of flush muffs .
We laid ours down in the locker of a sailing cruiser and the motion of the boat caused the oil to go from the sump into the engine and therefore oiled the plug up and refused to start. In anthonys range as you say all the 4 strokes are water cooled.
The Malta is heavy but is well enginered with lots of grab handles and even my mum can start it!

Alex

[Arctic RIB]

If you go with a 25HP I would suggest a 2-stroke for portability. The difference is around 62KG for a 4 and 48KG for a 2-stroke. I have a hard time lifting my 4 stroke alone but it's 78KG.

A Yamaha 4-stroke 15 is 45KG and might be a good match for your boat. Yamaha also has a 15 2-stroke and only weights 36KG!

[John Kennett]

Anthony

How about this: http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F68830

I quite fancy it myself, so don't hang around

John