Thinking of dipping my toe into SIB land.

[Pikey Dave]

Currently sat writing this in an aire in France with the RIB on the back, on our way home from Portugal. We’ve analysed the boating that we’ve done over the last couple of months “on tour”, & we reckon that we could have done the same, possibly more, with a decent SIB. To that end, I’m starting my research for a SIB to take abroad that’ll allow us to fish & explore. We want something seaworthy & capable of exploring coasts & coves in relatively good conditions. I’m probably going to keep it in a small box trailer & inflate/deflate as necessary. A learned friend on here has steered me towards a Zodiac futura Mk2 fastroller, which seems to tick all the boxes. I can probably buy a new Yam 15hp 2stroke to hang on the back. So a couple of questions:-

Assuming it’s going to be tiller steer, Will I regret going 2s (my preferred choice)?

Bearing in mind I’ve never seen a Frib, would one of these suit my purposes better? I want to be able to beach whatever I end up with, without fretting about the hull.

I know there are loads of options out there & this is a “how long is a bit of string” kind of post, but what else would suit my purposes? My priorities are quality & capability rather than cost. Saying that, I’d happily buy a nearly new second hand outfit or bare boat. If we don’t like it, we could then sell it on without taking a hit on a new purchase. I don’t think I’d have any problem shifting a new 2s 15hp Yam.[emoji6]

[Highland Haggis]

Hi PD would you go for an air floor or alloy if SIB was the option the f/rib 375 is a very good option as well but four stroke the way to go ??

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Highland Haggis

Hi PD would you go for an air floor or alloy if SIB was the option the f/rib 375 is a very good option as well but four stroke the way to go ??

Probably air floor, easier/quicker to setup, I believe. But I’m happy to be corrected. Bear in mind this isn’t a replacement for the RIB, it’s just something to get us on the water in warmer climes. We’ve found that slips are few & far between on the continent, they seem to favour boat lifts & cranes for some reason. The few slips that do seem to exist are often littered with abandoned boats/vans/pots etc. So I’m looking at something I can put together at the waters edge, maybe a set of launching wheels & go.

[Highland Haggis]

The Honwave T38 is a good wee run about with a 15 or 20 hp

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Highland Haggis

The Honwave T38 is a good wee run about with a 15 or 20 hp

I’d looked at those, but apparently they’re having some quality issues at the moment which put me off. By all accounts Zodiac had similar issues 3 or 4 years ago but have now resolved them.

[Fenlander]

Well recent experience of my 16yr old Yamaha 15 2st is very positive so thumbs up for that. Cost wasn't an issue and I did look and may just have been tempted by new but a few weeks back there was only stock of long shafts.

Sadly I have for now removed the T38 Honwave from being my go-to advised value air floor SIB. As you say PD far too many problem ones coming out of the factory at the moment. I understand one of the members on here and FR & Sibs was in the process of rejecting his bought from Ely but of course their demise has interfered with that process. The little I have seen of Honda and Ely dealers responses to his complaints give me no confidence they will honour the guarantee in the way you'd want.

A newish design to the Excel range looks interesting as they have taken the air floor design of the Russian shallow river/jet outboard SIBs and produced it at a very reasonable price. The Excel 390 Volaire at £1259.

http://www.excel-inflatables.co.uk/i...volaire390.php

The floor looks a very similar design to the Russian Solar range...

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

The feedback on Excel boats and their quality over the past few years seems to have challenged Honwave and now risen above them.

I haven't heard of a sibber with experience in Aerotec, T38 etc using a Volaire as comparison though... but it's a floor design I'll be keeping an eye on.

Would a newish used Aerotec do you?

[Fenlander]

Another thought... a Takacat??

https://www.takacat.com/Sports-tende...e-fishing-boat

[RickW]

Surfcat / Gemini GRX 420? The beach launched SIBs on the beach near me are Futura and Zapcats - seem to work extremely well as coastal boats? I was seriously considering them until the open transom and lack on perceived comfort by the other half pushed me towards ribs - also looked at takacats as a tender

[69cmw]

Originally Posted by RickW

Surfcat / Gemini GRX 420? The beach launched SIBs on the beach near me are Futura and Zapcats - seem to work extremely well as coastal boats? I was seriously considering them until the open transom and lack on perceived comfort by the other half pushed me towards ribs - also looked at takacats as a tender

My new Surfcat doesn’t have an open transom, you choose what you want [emoji106]

[Fenlander]

By chance I see a 4.2m Excel Volaire almost as new but £500 off new price has come up for sale...

https://www.gumtree.com/p/boats-kaya...ire/1344878862

I'd still want to have experience of how they go on the sea before buying but as said above the floor concept interests me.

[Gazzago]

I’m selling my Zodiac fastroller. With a fuel injected 4 stroke.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/z...rce=ios_social

[69cmw]

Looks good, what you getting next?

[Gazzago]

Already have it. It’s an older Searider SR4. With a 2 stroke unfortunately but should keep me going for a while.
Overall it needs a little work but I’m looking forward to trying her in the water. Hoping the deep V will handle rough weather on my longer trips a little better.
Have loved the Zodiac though. Very stable, roomy and economical.

[Maximus]

The Sib option is defiantly the way to go when Traveling big distances to various places abroad with a Motor home/Camper for long periods especially IMO Mate
I had a Zodiac (various sizes) with alloy floor sections (easy put up and went well with 20 Blueband Merc Tiller Steer)...although you can rig a Wheel....pretty capable if you remember their not a RIB!...and they never let me down.
Plenty of Zodiac dealers on the continent too is a plus.
I'd Probably go with 10-15 four stroke when I jump back in...but there are loads of options these days!
I Did see some really nice ex-military stuff (in black with all the Bells and Whistles) ...think they were Gemeini's a bit back that I thought would be very good...if you want info pm me

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Gazzago

I’m selling my Zodiac fastroller. With a fuel injected 4 stroke.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/z...rce=ios_social

would you split it gazz or consider it

[jeffstevens763@g]

fenlander will be all over this and give more of an opinion i see 1 patch on the port side transom


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bombard-A...77001%26algo%3

[Gazzago]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

would you split it gazz or consider it

If it doesn’t sell I may consider it eventually. But of course as a package it’s a great deal for the buyer and less hassle for me to sell.

[Fenlander]

>>>https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bombard-A...77001%26algo%3

Yes it's the classic Aerotec combo with Mercury 15 2-stroke and OE transom wheels.

Depends what he's expecting for it and how lucky you feel re transom glue. It's only a couple of years younger than the several reported here that had glue failure over the past two years.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

>>>https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bombard-A...77001%26algo%3

Yes it's the classic Aerotec combo with Mercury 15 2-stroke and OE transom wheels.

Depends what he's expecting for it and how lucky you feel re transom glue. It's only a couple of years younger than the several that had glue failure over the past two years.

I think I’ve seen the same one for sale on FB, if it’s the same one it’s a 2004.

[69cmw]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I think I’ve seen the same one for sale on FB, if it’s the same one it’s a 2004.

I wouldn’t be buying a 15 year old Aerotec [emoji15]