Honwave 38 airdeck or Bombard aerotec 380?

[69cmw]

I am away to get either a Honwave 38 airdeck model or a Bombard aerotec 380, is the bombard worth the extra money? and what are peoples views on both sibs? I will be using a yam 15 hp 2 stroke on which ever sib I get

Thanks

Craig

[br1anuk]

I had the Honda t38, it's a big inflatable and seemed over buoyant with my Mercury 15hp 2 stroke. I'd upgraded from the Honda t32 which performed fantastically with that engine.
Oh and you can't fit transom launch wheels on the Honda unless you buy the very expensive special one's.
Don't forget your Bravo superturbo pump, getting that last 10% in is the real killer.
Brian

[CJS]

I don't have much experience of other inflatables but I have got the Honwave 3.8m and personally I think it is an excellent boat. Well built, roomy for a small inflatable, deep adding to the feeling of security and very stable. It is heavier than many other boats in its range but that makes it feel more secure.

Without a trailer even on Transom wheels it does require two people to manouver it easily but there is generally always keen available crew.

With my 20HP Honda it has plenty of umph along with good fuel economy. My father in law and I took it from Keyhaven around the Needles - Isle of Wight to Alum Bay - we were running into tides and a reasonable swell - and back around to Yarmouth again and we used less than 6 quid of fuel for a good days sibbing.

Oh and I purchased mine with the Transom wheels that cost around 100 quid when I bought the boat.

All I can say is I give the Honwave 3.8 a 10 out of 10....

[Nick Hearne]

I have the Bombard & a 15hp 2 stroke Yamie & it is a great package, light fast & the floor pumped up to the right pressure is very ridged & give a drier than most ride!
10 out of 10

[matt h]

Bombard 380

[tinker]

Bombard, it has a v type hull that gets a lot closer to a rib than any other SIB I know.

[Wavesurfer]

I have a Bombard 380 and Honda 20hp. With the Bombard, the hull has a V-shape at the transom, whereas with many inflatables there is a V shape at the bow but the hull is much flatter at the transom. Construction and materials appear to be similar to Zodiac inflatables, and the Bombard/Zodiac transom wheels work well.

[longjohn]

Originally Posted by Wavesurfer

I have a Bombard 380 and Honda 20hp. With the Bombard, the hull has a V-shape at the transom, whereas with many inflatables there is a V shape at the bow but the hull is much flatter at the transom. Construction and materials appear to be similar to Zodiac inflatables, and the Bombard/Zodiac transom wheels work well.

Gotta Honwave 380ie airdeck with 20hp Honda outboard - great little boat thoroughly recommend the combo.
Here's my first attempt at aquatic video (not the most exiting) yesterday having a little fun with the race of Old Harry rocks. Actually there were some quite big waves - the boat is stable enough to allow steering with one hand and filming with the other!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FENvm2CvxTU

[CJS]

Hey LongJohn

I have the same boat, same engine, same bow bag and was in the same place at roughly the same time yesterday.....pity I never spotted you.

We left Baiter in Poole and headed out for Swanage but as you stated there was a fair swell off Old Harry. The boat handled extremely well though....maybe see you out there some time?

[DryFlyFishing]

Honwave 380 and 20hp - how fast does it go... looks very slow in the video...

in flat calm would you scare the bejesus out of yourself or would the boat just plain and feel safe?


would one be better putting the 20hp 4 stroke honda on a 320 honwave??? to get more speed / agility ?