Excel Inflatables

[Alforsea]

What are the Excel XHD385 like anyone got one what do you think of it. I am thinking of buying one thanks

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by Alforsea

What are the Excel XHD385 like anyone got one what do you think of it. I am thinking of buying one thanks

Looks very alike as the 385 Saturn model, it's a a average now a days 0.9 pvc sib with a fancy fabric name, lightly loaded and correctly inflated to it's max working presure should perform well using a 15 HP 2 strokes engine. In some brands HD stands for Heavy Duty, this model ain't so cause of the thinner fabric the 560 model sure is.

Happy Sibbing

[gibbo500]

Originally Posted by Alforsea

What are the Excel XHD385 like anyone got one what do you think of it. I am thinking of buying one thanks

I think a Bombard 380 or Quicksilver would be a better buy, only my opinion though?

[Alforsea]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

Looks very alike as the 385 Saturn model, it's a a average now a days 0.9 pvc sib with a fancy fabric name, lightly loaded and correctly inflated to it's max working presure should perform well using a 15 HP 2 strokes engine. In some brands HD stands for Heavy Duty, this model ain't so cause of the thinner fabric the 560 model sure is.

Happy Sibbing

How does it compare with the Honda fabric would you say

[adrianflint]

I've have one and have been very impressed. Powered with a 15HP (4 stroke) it gets nicely on the plane with a top speed of 20mph. The alu floor is very stable for passengers and the two bench seats are also useful.

With regard to the fabric, I've landed it onto beaches, often with rocks, and have not suffered any rips or punctures.

I fitted the lifters (from ebay) which helped reduce the bow lift with only on on board.

Adrian

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by Alforsea

How does it compare with the Honda fabric would you say

To have the idea clear about fabric, most manufacturers use pvc 0.9 mm fabrics, is the standard now a days, that dosn't mean it's a bad fabric, the duration will depend entirely on you, how you care about and maintain your sib. 0.9 mm fabrics is not an issue for me, although preffer thicker long lasting fabrics.

The only way of finding about how thick the fabric is, cut a piece of your sib fabric (a joke) and measure it. With a defleted sib fold a tube portion in 2 and measure it with a vernier tool. Some Companie's web pages lies offering HD models which are not so be carefull when buying.

Happy Sibbing

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by adrianflint

With regard to the fabric, I've landed it onto beaches, often with rocks, and have not suffered any rips or punctures. Adrian

An advise, do not beach land often with 0.9 mm fabrics, it's a cool, dry & fast Mr.Bond type outting, check fatal consequences...other issue, can damage transom, swivel bracket and propeller.

Happy Sibbing

[howy]

If you can ask if there is the option for thicker material.Most manufacturers quote 0.9mm as standard or pay a little extra for 1.2mm fabric.
It doesnt sound much but having one of each next to each other and the difference is amazing.
I had our boats constructed of 1.2mm PVC fabric and they have been extremely robust.The demonstrator has been repeatedly dragged against the corner of my house wall (by accident) it has been beached repeatedly,also my four year old has dragged his pushbike handlebar and brake lever along the tubes and the other day I found him impersonating John Cleese, hitting the boat tubes with a thin metal tube and a broken brush handle.