sib's

[rugrat]

hi all
I am thinking of trading in the searider for a sib
mainly because its becoming a bit of a pain in the neck and secondly because i have been offered a vgc 2003 mariner 15 for very neally free!
so which sib would give the best "nearly a rib" performance on 15 horses?
below 1k.
cheers

[prairie tuber]

I assume your looking for something used in that price range? I wouldn't trust anything new that sells in that price range with a motor of any size behind it.

If you can find an older hypalon zodiac in the 12-14 foot range (Mark II compact or Mark II) that is in good shape, in that price range, you could get some good bang for your buck. Aside from the overall condition of the fabric, closely inspect the condition of the transom-fabric attachments as well as the thrustboard-fabric attachments. Also check the wear of the fabric floor especially near the transom. I'm sure there are a number of other brands that could be worth getting as older used SIBs, but I don't have personal experience with them. Also if buying older used, I would stick with hypalon fabric.

[stevetheboat]

Rugrat,


we can supply the ideal halfway option between a RIB and a SIB the new Wetline 350 Airrib has an inflatable solid V shaped floor to give you the performance and extra speed of a Rib but the whole thing deflates and will roll up into the boot of a standard family saloon.
It has a solid GRP transom and will take 15hp easily and can carry upto 5 people costs around £1000.00

If thats too big we have a 265 version but that is rated to 8 hp & 3 people

PM me with your address if you`d like a brochure and price list.

All the best,
Steve

[J S]

I Have a Zodiac 340 FR Acti-v Very pleased with it. Have got 24kts with a 15hp Honda out of it with minimal equipment on board and me. It takes some fair amount of chop very comfortably and it tracks very well because of the V hull. The deck is also very good as it is angled down from the centre slightly so all the spray drains off very quickly. Also i have found it is ok for wakeboarding and kneeboarding for people under about 12 stone. It will plane with 7 15 year olds in it but the max it is meant to take is 5 adults and 1 child.

Bit over Budget but I got mine for £1,100 from Mga Watersports

James

[Polwart]

rugrat,

are you 100% comitted to the idea of a SIB? there are some rotomoulded plastic "rib" styled boats about - which might just be about the money you are looking for. I have a 3.9m console steered one which is powered by a 20HP and gives about 22 knots. There is a smaller boat (about 3.5m?) which looks perfect as a sib replacement - and I think is around £1000.

try www.atlanticfocus.co.uk but there are competitors such as: steadyboats, mac boats, pioneer etc. all with boats in this size range.

some of them are not the pretiest - but they are more robust than a sib and generally better value.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by rugrat

which sib would give the best "nearly a rib" performance on 15 horses?

None of them! A Sib won't ever come anywhere near the performance of a RIB as even those with an inflatable keel have a bottom that's nearly flat in comparrison to a deep V hull like a Searider. So your boating will be limited to sheltered waters in good weather. And in terms of speed,anything over 20kts will feel like 100mph as you're so close to the water and tiller steering is very twitchy! A Sib to take a 15hp Mariner will be about 3.2 to 3.6 in length, and most weigh about 45-55 kgs which is very difficult to manoevure without a trailer. My own preference would be to stick with the Searider.

[J S]

Originally Posted by Richard B

And in terms of speed,anything over 20kts will feel like 100mph as you're so close to the water and tiller steering is very twitchy!

Thats what makes them such good fun. And with the tiller steering so manouvrable. Ok there not that comfortable for a long cruise but for blasting about there the best.

James

[codprawn]

I find my Quicksilver 3.1m with a 15hp just as much fun as my 9m - just in different ways. It feels faster even if it's only doing 22kts. It makes you read the sea better and you can nose up rivers for miles where you wouldn't dream of taking a normal boat. And with a 4 stroke Suzuki it uses less petrol than my strimmer - well almost!!!

it is easy to move around with the transom wheels - they are a must. If I hadn't had such a bargain and was buying new I would go for a slightly bigger one - say a 3.4 or 3.8m with a Tohtsu 18hp 2 stroke - or else a zapcat!!!

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by codprawn

If I hadn't had such a bargain and was buying new I would go for a slightly bigger one - say a 3.4 or 3.8m with a Tohtsu 18hp 2 stroke - or else a zapcat!!!

I don't think there's much point in going bigger - I used to have a 3.6 with a Tohatsu 18 and always wished it was smaller. I've never tried the transom wheels though, they look like a great idea, just stupidly expensive!

[codprawn]

A Tohatsu 18 is lighter than my 15hp 4 stroke. The stainless wheel set I have is pretty well made - not bad for the money - the slightly cheaper ones are crap and well overpriced though!!!

http://www.polymarine.com/products/p...%5B1839%5D.cfm

These are the good ones.