Quicksilver Heavy-Duty 380 with 15HP?

[anxer]

Hello,

My plan is to buy an inflatable RIB, capable to transport 2 adults in order to make one day trips around islands such us mykonos, milos etc. Due to the fact that I cannot have a license on time the maximun allowed engine which I can use without a license is 15hp. After a research in the market I am between the following four (I prefer quicksilver since they are cheaper but
I don't know about quality)

a) Quicksilver airdeck D340

b) Quicksilver heavy-duty D380

c) Zodiac futura MKII

d) Zodiac touring MKII

The machine will most propably be 15hp two stroke Mariner, could you please inform which will be more suitable for my needs and if anyone has such a combination what are the speeds?

Thanks in advance
Sotiris

[Tim M]

I had a Quicksiler, and it was very robust. I had the airdeck version which was well worth the extra £100 or so. With 15hp on the back you will fly. I'm guessing 25knotts....
Mine (270) would plane easily with two adults with only a 6hp longshaft!
Mariner are great, I have one....

[anxer]

Thanks tim,

I was wondering which is best to have an airdeck or a wooden deck like the one in heavy-duty? For sure i noticed difference in the weight (double 40kgs vs 80kg) but i was wondering if this will result in huge difference in the speed...
and in case of waves what is better to have?

Also what you suggest for someone who most propably want's to by a bigger boat in one year to go for the airdeck340 with 15hp and then sell it for a >4m with 40hp or go step by step with heavy duty 380 with 15hp and then 25hp the difference is small between airdeck 340 (3400eur) and heavy-duty (3700eur)

Thanks in advance
Sotiris

[Tim M]

I have always understood airdecks to be better in terms of weight, and rigidity and stability; a wooden (slatted) deck isn't quite as rigid (becasue it has joins) as an airdeck.
I bought my Quicksilver 270 AD last year as an introduction to RIBs, and upgraded to a 4.1m RIB with 40hp this year. Personally (if money weren't an issue) I would buy a small inflatable then upgrade to a RIB later on; you are a bit more limited with an inflatable in that seating isn't great, you don't have the luxuries of electric start/power trim etc. and you can't bolt things to the floor!
However, if you only want it for some cheap fun, go for the inflatable. In terms of value they're great.
Another thing to consider is range - you'll be able to go further in a RIB than an inflatable (especially in terms of comfort!).

[aligator]

Hi
I had the zodiac 340 with merc 15hp for 2yrs and i found it to be a great a combination,
I was very pleased with the air deck, it stood up to a lot punishment which included taking a dog with us on most trips and fishing.
I even pulled a donut behind it.
Also go for the set of wheels that attach to the transom (optional extra) and a 12v high volume electric pump both are well worth the money and will take all the hard work out of seting up.
Have fun
Alistair

[anxer]

Thanks all for your advices,

I thought that airdeck was not so stable and fragile but as I see it can handle dogs as well, (what is the size of the dog? I have a dalmatian and it could be nice to take him a test ride) ;-)

Now regarding my trips which I wan't to make are attached one for Milos and the other for Naxos, what do you think can an 340 airdeck (or 380 heavy-duty) with 15hp can handle it?

I estimated with a speed of 20knots I will need three hours to make the tour for milos (am i correct) and my next question is if one fuel tank is enough or should I buy another one?


Thanks
Sotiris

[aligator]

The dog is a west highland terrier , brain the size of a pea, head the size of a plantpot, Heart as big as a lion , ohyeah sharp claws!

I found the air deck extremly rigid when pump to manufacters recommendations I dont see why it would not take a large dog. I would buy the same set up again no question,
I do not recall Kieth Hart posting for some time ,But he's the man to tell you just how much fun you can have in a SIB!
Alistair

[codprawn]

How portable are these airdecks? How easy are they to pack up again? I would like to take one away with me in my Landrover to do a bit of exploring - probably with my 8hp aux engine borrowed for the purpose!

[anxer]

The airdeck, especially the quick silver one is lighter about 25% (39Kg) compared with the heavy-duty version (60Kg), the first one only needs to pump it about 30minutes the second about 50minutes.

Two persons can lift an airdeck easily (for example a couple), the second needs two to three men.

If my main concern was the weight I would also used it, but since I will inflate it two times (one in Milos and in Naxos) and then put it in the marine, I have considered also the heavy-duty mainly because it can also take an 25hp in the future.

Hmmm.... I will let you know this Thursday when i will have my little first SIB ;-)

Sotiris

[Jari Hjerppe]

I had Zodiac Touring 380 MK II C with 2 stroke Merc M15 outboard (same as Mariner 15 hp). With light load the max speed was around 20-21 kts. Zodiac is nice, stable and well made boat but the hull is quite flat and that means hard ride in choppy water.

Between Zodiacs I would choose Touring model if 15 hp is max pover.

Jari