Wanted - Small SIB for the Kids to play in.

[Trevor G]

Hi - Does anyone have a cheap small SIB that might be suitable for the kids to pootle about in? We have a 6.5M "proper" rib which we are taking to France in the Summer and think a small SIB would be fun to play with around the salt marches/flat water near La Turballe and around the islands just offshore.
We're not really sure how big (or small) we need but the kids are 10 and 11, and ideally we would be able to store it in the front lockers of our Balistic for transporting.
I'm guessing that a 2.5hp motor would be fine, but am open to suggestions, and as this is a bit of a whim the cheaper the better I think, and a reasonable/well used 2nd hand SIB is probably less likely to be nicked than a nice new one!

Also any advice on what to avoid getting would be appreciated!
Thanks
Trevor

[PeterM]

HI Trevor. I do have an Bombard AX3 with a slatted floor that I am considering getting rid of as it is now SIB/ RIB no 4 !

I know all the history ( I bought it from new in late 2003 , a mate used it for the last 18 months to his cruiser). Got the oars & an inflatable seat, bag etc) I'll try & get some pics over to you in the next few days - but may be Sunday before I can get to it properly).

Have a look at : http://www.bombard.com/en/tenders/?ax

Used to run a 3.5 on it & it would plane with my 14 st in it with that ! And have run a 5 hp on it with no problems !

No idea at all of its value !

Pete

[Chris]

You will be hard pushed to find a proper SIB that can fit in the locker on any 6.5meter.

I have one of these ebay which is ideal as a tender as it can actually handle 3 adults or 4 kids happily and comes with all the bits. As far as motors go the ideal one fot this is one of the little 2hp yamaha / Mariner / Tohatsu engines like this one ebay

As there is no hard transom the boat folds down to a small size and could fit in a locker.

[Trevor G]

Thanks Chris and Pete - I had a look round Pacer Marine today to get a feel for how big un-inflated SIB's are and came to the same conclusion as you Chris that it is optimistic to think a SIB might fit in my Ballistic's lockers. However. I think one would fit OK in the bow area under the front sun-bed area.
Pete - I look forward to getting the pictures of your Bombard AX3. Are you going to Ribex in May?

[PeterM]

Yep - not sure what day yet, probabaly sunday - will all depend on tides at Christchurch. If you mean just sitting between the seats in the bow - yes definately fit. Possible at a push if you have lockers under them you might even get it in one of them. I'll PM you when I have some pics & stick them on here Sunday afternoon. Pete

[PeterM]

Managed to get pics last night - Trevor have emailed you - any one else interested let me know - With original oars / bag & pump. Pete

[Trevor G]

I'm now sorted with Pete's AX3 - but now for the obvious next question.... Anyone got a reasonable condition (ie one that works) 2 - 3.5 hp motor that they are considering parting with?
Thanks. Trevor

[Mollers]

I'm not exactly Mr. Safety, but I wouldn't let my kids use an outboard unsupervised at that age. A prop driven by 2.5hp would take a kids foot off quite efficiently.

An Old Chap managed to kill his grandson with 6hp down this way a few years ago.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2116174.stm

[Trevor G]

Point taken. - I'm not intending letting them loose with it alone - They've had a year's experience (about 150 hours) on our 6.5m Rib and now want to get more involved - this is intended to be a good way of getting them used to handling something with an engine without having them standing on the seats to see over the console.

[Nasher]

I'm a terrible Father.

Nasher