New sib

[Yabadabadoo]

The 3.5 has the aluminium flat floor, Fenlander had that one - not sure what's underneath it?? Assume either a sausage keel or air floor. This is a new listing for a 3.5 Honwave Inflatable T35 AE | eBay

There are a few 3.8m honwave owners on this forum Kamen and Stigomery are two that I can think of, if you are in doubt over weight to transport etc maybe a direct message to them might help?

My 3.2 is a big ish lump, I use a sack barrow to move it about and on that it's no bother. Without the barrow it's a big lump, the 3.8 is bigger still but it's a good sized boat so that's what to expect.

This guy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLt_BIQp6ms

has a 3.8 and there are various videos he's made that can help with your process

[Fenlander]

>>>How would an air floor stand up to a rottweilers claws?

We've had 5 air floor SIBs. The first one came with a whole floor mat from the previous owner and we made one up for the second one. Since then haven't bothered and have a dog out with us most times. For where he sits under way we have a couple of these mainly for his comfort...

Country Pet Waterproof Crate & Kennel Mat – LARGE 80 x 60cm – Non Slip base | eBay

[Highland Haggis]

Maybe you should try some of these sibs out before you buy most dealers will have demo boats

[Yabadabadoo]

Dog boots? https://www.alldogboots.com/Dog-Wate...-Pool-s/65.htm

[beamishken]

We had an air deck 290 excel which was one of the first imported into the UK about 12 years ago we used it as a tender and gave it quite aabout hard time and it never gave us cause to complain only stopped using it a couple of years ago when we bought a rib to replace it
We still have the excel and have no doubt it will still be find

[Duluxdoggy]

Have bit the bullet and ordered the t38 ie. Should have it for the weekend. Also the new prop arrived and is installed.

[rossymtb]

Well done. They are suppose to be a fantastic sib.

Have you ordered the wheels to then?

[Fenlander]

KH & DD. After all the to and fro'ing really looking forward to hearing how this setup goes for you at the weekend. It should be one of the greatest forward moves in the shortest time the forum has seen compared to your first SIB and the Seagull.

[rossymtb]

With​ the new 15hp you are going to have to take it down the coast. Otherwise the 6mph limit will soon bore you out.

[Duluxdoggy]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

KH & DD. After all the to and fro'ing really looking forward to hearing how this setup goes for you at the weekend. It should be one of the greatest forward moves in the shortest time the forum has seen compared to your first SIB and the Seagull.

We realise our mistakes and no point messing around.
Did debate cheaping out and getting the t32. But made more sense to buy the best we can.

And yes rossymtb. I ordered the proper wheels with it.

[Duluxdoggy]

Originally Posted by rossymtb

With​ the new 15hp you are going to have to take it down the coast. Otherwise the 6mph limit will soon bore you out.

We have already agreed that is gonna happen. Need to get some mackerel bashing gear now!

[breezeblock]

I just sold my seapro a couple of months ago I couldn't fault it apart from one thing the air floor is a bit poor I replaced it with a bit of 6mm ply cut into 2 sections so it would still fit in the caravan

[Katie.harker]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

KH & DD. After all the to and fro'ing really looking forward to hearing how this setup goes for you at the weekend. It should be one of the greatest forward moves in the shortest time the forum has seen compared to your first SIB and the Seagull.

Seagull? What Seagull? Nah, didn't happen.
*Buries head in sand*

[Stigomery]

Originally Posted by Duluxdoggy

Have bit the bullet and ordered the t38 ie. Should have it for the weekend. Also the new prop arrived and is installed.

I see I joined this thread a little too late... even though name checked... ah well, you made the right decision in the end

I can't really fault my 3.8 Honwave paired with a Honda 20HP... sometimes I get a bit of a bulge in the floor at over 17 knots but from what I understand this is (a) normal from such a long air-deck and (b) the Honwave is about the best performance-wise save the Aerotec.

I use a sack barrow to move it any great distance while rolled up in its bag, e.g. in the garage. When on its transom wheels it's easy. Everything fits in the boot of the car although when camping I've been known to carry the OB or SIB on a tow-ball bike rack.

2 adults, 2 kids and 1 large Labrador - no problem - a very capable SIB.

A wee video from the Scottish SIB gathering last year (password: ribnet):

https://vimeo.com/170449376

Some photos in this thread:

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/the-lak...ere-72405.html

Enjoy!

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Duluxdoggy

Have bit the bullet and ordered the t38 ie. Should have it for the weekend. Also the new prop arrived and is installed.

Good call. That should work nicely with the 15, and if you're inflating and packing up every time then the air floor is a definite winner.

[Duluxdoggy]

Ok, so got the boat now. spent a few hours yesterday fitting the genuine Honda wheels.
a bit of a faff to be honest. the bolts they supply are about an inch too long... had to shorten em with an angle grinder (took them off the boat 1st tho!!)

Once I thought I was finished I had to remove them and drill the pin holes as they didn't quite align.

so. All that out of the way. spent about 6 hours out today. got all the way to Farndon. from Chester.

We took the car battery and pump with us to top up as suggested. Along with loads of other crap that won't be going again. Unnecessary weight and all that.

The boat handled well. tried with the beach chair. but found it not needed and we ended up sitting on the floor when not driving.

with all this gear we 'Just' got on plane. on return to the car, we took off everything except us and the fuel tank and had another short blast. straight on plane no hesitation reaching 20MPH with us both on board.

and best of all we have worked out a way to pack in the car retaining a single back seat to enable us to pick up a guest to take out!

[HDAV]

Sounds like you had a great day!

How did it feel when you were able to get straight onto the plane? Should gives you loads more fun and you will be able to see you the boat handles.

[Fenlander]

DD that sounds like a good result. Its surprising how much improvement can be gained from junking just a few things.

You will also gain more insight into on/off plane performance when your get experienced enough to feel ready for the sea and can go for longer than what I assume are some brief "covert" runs.

[Duluxdoggy]

Originally Posted by HDAV

Sounds like you had a great day!

How did it feel when you were able to get straight onto the plane? Should gives you loads more fun and you will be able to see you the boat handles.

the difference when on plane is staggering, the steering is so responsive.

and the extra wind flow from the speed is welcome on a hot day!

[Duluxdoggy]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

DD that sounds like a good result. Its surprising how much improvement can be gained from junking just a few things.

You will also gain more insight into on/off plane performance when your get experienced enough to feel ready for the sea and can go for longer than what I assume are some brief "covert" runs.

of course, they are brief. I wouldn't dream of intentionally breaking the speed limits on rivers, even when we see no other people for miles!

The floor does feel odd after the rigid floor, but not in a bad way. when riding other people's wake enthusiastically the boat handled well, and bounced about a bit, I enjoyed it, but Katie was facing towards me reading a book... was amusing!