another new member

[cantona]

Hi Guys,

been lurking in the background and absorbing all the information on here, so much so that my wife just assumed I was looking at porn

I will be buying a 3 metre SIB in the near future to replace my Kayak, getting to old to paddle it and need a motorised craft now, based in North Devon I have been told that a 5-6 HP outboard should be ok for myself and one maybe two others to go inshore fishing, probably no more than 1/2 mile off shore max, and more normally trolling for bass or pollack on the inshore reefs. Just had a look at a very nice Sun Sport ARIB320 and an AIB290K, am I right in assuming that the keel arrangement on the ARIB will be more suitable , stable and generally handle better? I have also seen a Trans E 3.2 mtr boat, again chinese made and again looks very well built, any thoughts or suggestions greatfully received.

regards
Cantona

[kerny]

Hi Eric, and welcome to RIBnet, I'm sure that the hardened sibbers will be along shortly with some good advice

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by kerny

Hi Eric, and welcome to RIBnet, I'm sure that the hardened sibbers will be along shortly with some good advice

Hardened Sibbers!
He said his Wife only thought he was looking at Porn!

[cantona]

Looking forward to them Kerny

[Fenlander]

It is traditional at this point to say have you read the sticky thread "Which SIB, which SIB..." Lots in there.

The only comment I'd make at the moment is if you are thinking of a 6hp bear in mind many 6s are the same outboard as an 8 (design & weight) so you might as well get an 8 for more ooomph... the prices are often nearly the same.

Your comments on the different keels are on the right lines but this is often more crucial when powered by something like a 15hp when some real speed is possible.

[calibra]

> Trans E 3.2 mtr boat

I have one and love it.

[philpot]

Welcome aboard.

One little thing to throw into the mix is that any sib with an extended air floor, Honwave, Sun etc will need special extended launching wheels which cost twice as much as standard wheels and are also more finicky to put on the boat.

A friend of Kerny and mine has a Trans-e sib which he is very pleased with, running a 6hp outboard he finds it superb for his fishing. At present the 3.2mt is out of stock according to ebay but when back in stock, they represent good value for money.

Phil

[stray]

I will be buying a 3 metre SIB in the near future to replace my Kayak, getting to old to paddle it and need a motorised craft now, based in North Devon I have been told that a 5-6 HP outboard should be ok for myself and one maybe two others to go inshore fishing,

Hope they are good friends, 3 plus fishing gear in a 3 metre SIB will be very cosy.

Also with extended Air floor SIBs, fitting a fish finder is very awkward.

[cantona]

Thanks for the replies so far, the Trans E is a very good price, good review on the welsh kayak forum as well.

cantona

[Fenlander]

In truth the Trans E, Sunsport, Prowave and pretty well every other "non-mainstream" SIB are all of a standard quality being made in similar Chinese factories from near identical components. There are small differences in seat/transom material but it's a case of getting the best deal for the one you fancy the colour/design of the most.

The Honwave range is also made in these Chinese factories and of similar quality but they do hold their value better long term so worth taking the best price you can find on the nearest Honwave model and considering if the saving is worth the possible extra depreciation and lesser after sales backup. The latter is by no means certain but Honwave do have the reputation of Honda behind them whereas some of the lesser known brands are being made in far smaller quantities for small importers who may not have the ability to easily refund in case of problems with a new boat.

None of the above is supposed to be a negative against the lesser know brands... just have all the facts and make a choice.

[dave3235]

Hi all and wecome Kantona.

Having a friend who had a 2.7 with a 4hp 3 of us on it and being an air floor there was minimal comfort and room for kit etc.Also trying to stand up and stretch was not the nicest experience to say the least.I got the bug and now have a Honwave 3.5 with aly floor the benifits of being able to stand up and move about is the way to go,more so when needing to have a pee, it becomes a nightmare one wobble at the wrong time and your in the water.If I were you a minimum of a 3.1 with aluminium or wood floor would be a much wiser choice.Engine wise a10hp is minimum just because if weather changes you have that bit extra to get you back a bit quicker.Others may have different views on this but better to have that bit more get up and go.

Also what's your budget it will give others more scope to help you to make your choice.

[philpot]

I have to agree with you Fenlander and that is one reason I bought my Honwave 3.8 air floor, a great sib, just too heavy to lug around off it's wheels. Just before I bought my current sib, the Excel SD330, I looked at warranty periods. The honwave was 2 years and I think Zodiac is the same, compare that to the Excel at 5 years on fabric and 5 years on construction. Now which offers the best value and having just been on ebay I see that the Trans-e is the same so perhaps some of these lesser known products do have something extra to offer and at £525 for a Trans-e 3.20, that is impressive.

I bought the Excel because of the features paying a few hundred quid more than the Trans-e but nevertheless I can't find any real faults with them. The review done on the North Wales Kayak Fishing site is the friend I spoke of earlier who loves his.

I would never have sold the Honwave if I had been able to move it around easier only wish I had bought the 3.2 in the first place because of the weight advantage.

Now here is an odd thing, the Honwave has a net weight of 48kgs and I swear I could hardly lift or move it in it's rolled up form. The Excel SD330 net weight is 48kg but I can lift it walk with it, okay not far but I have no problems carrying it out of the garage and into the car. One of them must be stating the wrong weight but who ?????

On Tuesday I took a friend fishing on a local river, we were both stood up in the boat and considering it is an air floor, it was both safe and pretty sturdy with us stood on it, not a patch on your ali floor though Dave.

Phil

[dave3235]

Originally Posted by philpot

I have to agree with you Fenlander and that is one reason I bought my Honwave 3.8 air floor, a great sib, just too heavy to lug around off it's wheels. Just before I bought my current sib, the Excel SD330, I looked at warranty periods. The honwave was 2 years and I think Zodiac is the same, compare that to the Excel at 5 years on fabric and 5 years on construction. Now which offers the best value and having just been on ebay I see that the Trans-e is the same so perhaps some of these lesser known products do have something extra to offer and at £525 for a Trans-e 3.20, that is impressive.

I bought the Excel because of the features paying a few hundred quid more than the Trans-e but nevertheless I can't find any real faults with them. The review done on the North Wales Kayak Fishing site is the friend I spoke of earlier who loves his.

I would never have sold the Honwave if I had been able to move it around easier only wish I had bought the 3.2 in the first place because of the weight advantage.

Now here is an odd thing, the Honwave has a net weight of 48kgs and I swear I could hardly lift or move it in it's rolled up form. The Excel SD330 net weight is 48kg but I can lift it walk with it, okay not far but I have no problems carrying it out of the garage and into the car. One of them must be stating the wrong weight but who ?????

On Tuesday I took a friend fishing on a local river, we were both stood up in the boat and considering it is an air floor, it was both safe and pretty sturdy with us stood on it, not a patch on your ali floor though Dave.

Phil

Hi phill

Yes it's almost an extra metre on the 2.7 sib I was refuring to with 3 onboard and I am close to 20 stone 6.3 so I'm at a disadvantage straight away plus a few waves.Its all down to your personal needs.I noticed you were on a river thats different again.

[philpot]

You are right Dave, the river is somewhat different to the sea and I'm not so sure I will be very quick to stand up when I go sea fishing, I feel the need to learn how to pee kneeling with a good aim.

Phil

[dave3235]

Originally Posted by philpot

You are right Dave, the river is somewhat different to the sea and I'm not so sure I will be very quick to stand up when I go sea fishing, I feel the need to learn how to pee kneeling with a good aim.

Phil

Hi phill

I normally find one knee on the transom and a hand on the engine works fine.

[philpot]

Originally Posted by dave3235

Hi phill

I normally find one knee on the transom and a hand on the engine works fine.

I am just picturing you now Dave while the tears are rolling down my face

Phil

[Fenlander]

Yep that's fine with the nice broad rounded transom top capping of a Honwave. The sharp timber of a Zodiac is likely to take your kneecap off!

[dave3235]

Originally Posted by philpot

I am just picturing you now Dave while the tears are rolling down my face

Phil

It's not the most dignified setup but needs must and it beats rinsing the tubes off

[Sunstreaker]

Is it possible to be to old to kayak?

[philpot]

Originally Posted by Sunstreaker

Is it possible to be to old to kayak?

I do hope not or I will find some rather high spec kayaks in my garage of no further use.

Phil