Which SIB?

SeaLifeLiveIt · 25 February 2019, 08:28

After some advice please as to where to look for a second hand SIB? We are a family of four. We have a powerboat, and are looking for a tender. This will preferably be second hand to keep the cost down, as it will mainly be for the children to have fun practicing rowing on in shallow water (aged 11 and 9). I have been looking on EBay and Gumtree - have missed a few bargains, but nothing much seems to jump out as being perfect for our needs within a price range. My husband doesn’t want the SIB to be any bigger than 2.7/2.9 metres, as it will have to be stored on our boat when not in use - and he understandably wants room for his fishing! We aren’t necessarily looking to put an outboard on it, probably just use it for rowing etc for now. Saw a Hydro-Force 3.3 m in Costco yesterday for £499, but husband said too big for children to row/store it etc.
Any help on where else to look, and what the best makes/styles are would be much appreciated.
Thank you

Highland Haggis · 25 February 2019, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaLifeLiveIt

After some advice please as to where to look for a second hand SIB? We are a family of four. We have a powerboat, and are looking for a tender. This will preferably be second hand to keep the cost down, as it will mainly be for the children to have fun practicing rowing on in shallow water (aged 11 and 9). I have been looking on EBay and Gumtree - have missed a few bargains, but nothing much seems to jump out as being perfect for our needs within a price range. My husband doesn’t want the SIB to be any bigger than 2.7/2.9 metres, as it will have to be stored on our boat when not in use - and he understandably wants room for his fishing! We aren’t necessarily looking to put an outboard on it, probably just use it for rowing etc for now. Saw a Hydro-Force 3.3 m in Costco yesterday for £499, but husband said too big for children to row/store it etc.
Any help on where else to look, and what the best makes/styles are would be much appreciated.
Thank you

Honwave 2.7 f/rib 2.7 Excel 2.7 mercury 2.8 elite 02 3.2 look on boats and outboards and your local chandlery dealer

Fenlander · 25 February 2019, 16:36

Yep for your use just about any of the modern sub 3m sibs would do... air floor (or perhaps slatted roll up) best for weight and portability. But do check how may folks they are rated for, many of the 2.7 models are for 2 or 3 folks. Of course they'll all be rubbish to row but fine for kids mucking about.

Something like this...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Inflatabl...p2047675.l2557

If your budget reached to new then this is rated for 4 people and only weighs 17kg...

http://www.3dtender.com/FOLDABLE-TEN...48-61-0-0.html

willk · 25 February 2019, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Of course they'll be rubbish to row but fine for kids mucking about.

And on windy days, they can play hide and seek!

Fenlander · 25 February 2019, 16:58

I know.... I'm assuming supervised shallows between moored powerboat and beach.

SeaLifeLiveIt · 26 February 2019, 21:42

Thanks for the replies and advice. Will keep looking on eBay, and will
take a look on Boats And Outboards. Our boat has a draft of 0.54m, so we are never moored in deep water when we have got out (our friends have an old quicksilver dinghy which seemed perfect). Our children are never far away - am a Nursery Manager and I risk assess everything - it’s in my nature! Never thought of the SIB blowing over in the wind though! 🙈

xpertski · 26 February 2019, 22:25

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If this is of interest, it’s a Bombard AX2 in great Nick, perfect as a tender. I can PM more details

Highland Haggis · 27 February 2019, 02:55

You could also try find a fishing boat web site

Fenlander · 27 February 2019, 07:49

>>>Never thought of the SIB blowing over in the wind though! ��

Not so much blowing over, more blowing away. As they are so light with not a lot of hull or keel in the water... more sitting on the water... a small sib can blow across the water sometimes quicker than you can row.

But if a sib is what you need Xpertski's is just the sort of thing. His is possibly only rated for 3 folks but for your use and max of 2 adults and two children probably fine.

xpertski · 27 February 2019, 08:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

>>>Never thought of the SIB blowing over in the wind though! ��

Not so much blowing over, more blowing away. As they are so light with not a lot of hull or keel in the water... more sitting on the water... a small sib can blow across the water sometimes quicker than you can row.

But if a sib is what you need Xpertski's is just the sort of thing. His is possibly only rated for 3 folks but for your use and max of 2 adults and two children probably fine.

Agree, our Bombard is rated to max 4 people and 4hp. Two adults and two children would be absolutely fine [emoji106]

Fenlander · 27 February 2019, 08:24

>>> our Bombard is rated to max 4 people

Ahh I wasn't sure... sorry to cast any doubt. Then it's as perfect as you'd get for the stated use. At some point they could chuck on a 2-4hp to get the kids training up on a sib with motor.

xpertski · 27 February 2019, 08:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

>>> our Bombard is rated to max 4 people

Ahh I wasn't sure... sorry to cast any doubt. Then it's as perfect as you'd get for the stated use. At some point they could chuck on a 2-4hp to get the kids training up on a sib with motor.

Haha no worries! [emoji106] just clarifying for the OP. Agree with what you say