Air deck or Aluminium deck

[Stephen Potts]

Hello. What is the better inflatable sib. Air deck or Aluminium deck
Thanks Steve

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Stephen Potts

Hello. What is the better inflatable sib. Air deck or Aluminium deck

Thanks Steve

Which is better, knife or fork?

[Stephen Potts]

Hi, I don't understand what this is about?

[rik_elliott]

He's saying each one is better suited to different use cases. What do you want to do with it? Air deck is lighter and easier to pack up every time you use it. Alloy deck can have steering consoles etc fitted and can be larger but are heavy and work better with a trailer as set up times are longer and harder work.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by rik_elliott

He's saying each one is better suited to different use cases. What do you want to do with it? Air deck is lighter and easier to pack up every time you use it. Alloy deck can have steering consoles etc fitted and can be larger but are heavy and work better with a trailer as set up times are longer and harder work.

^^^^^^what he said.
“Better” is relative. We have an air deck, because it’s “Better” for travelling lighter & ease of assembling.
If I was going to trailer the SIB ready built & launching over a beach wasn’t an issue, I might go for an ally floor. It’s horses for courses.

[Stephen Potts]

Hello. It's more about the safety and for longer trips.

[Stephen Potts]

Hello. Yes all these things need to be considered. It was more for safety but I think they would be safe as each other. Thanks

[Fenlander]

Yes no difference in safety compared to other factors which is where the risks are. Could argue air floor has one or two extra air chambers should Jaws get nibbling at you.

[Steve509926]

A bit of a strange question Steve. Thought you had a Honwave T32? are you thinking of changing it?
You may get a better idea of what you are looking for if you tell others how, when, where you use your SIB.

[Stephen Potts]

Lol. Jaws. Don't think that would matter because I would have a heart attack if I saw one.

[Stephen Potts]

Yes I still have the Honwave T32 just looking for a bigger inflatable hoping it would be saver at sea

[Stephen Potts]

Lol. Won't make any difference because I would have a heart attack if I saw one.��

[Stephen Potts]

I still have my Honwave T32 just think it might be a bit saver on the sea with a larger one. Travelling around the small island on Scotlands west coast. Also a bit of fishing. Looking 365 or 390. Keep the Honwave as well for smaller waters

[Steve509926]

I have an Excel SD360 airdeck and I'm more than happy with it, most of my time on water is spent on the sea.
Saying that I have modified the keelboard which has made the airdeck stiffer.
I went for an airdeck as its slightly more comfortable under foot (or paw), slightly lighter, slightly easier to assemble, slightly easier to pack away. However, I'm sure I would be more than happy with the same size SIB with an alideck.
I think you will find those that extol the virtues of alidecks, or airdecks, or Fribs, whatever suits your needs is the best one for you.
I noticed in another thread you asked if a T38 has an Alideck, no it's an airdeck. But it is a much bigger Sib than your T32 which from your statement "feel a bit safer on the sea" is what I think you are looking for whether that be an airdeck or an alideck.

[Stephen Potts]

Hello Steve. If the air deck is just as safe as a aluminium deck I will stick to the Air deck no bigger than the T38. Must admit I do like the Honwave inflatables but I will give the Excel a good looking over. I wasn't sure if there was any difference in performance between the air and Ali deck but it just seems to be preference.

[rik_elliott]

T38 is a big boat compared to a t32. It is a lot wider and heavier. I really like mine when I use it, but it is definitely on the limit for single handed use to lift from a car boot easily. I am sure a t40 would be impossible for me to lift as a single package, but of course you can take the floor out and lift separately.

I would consider carefully what advantages you are thinking a bigger boat will give you. The t32 is already a great little coastal hopper in good conditions and I wouldn't want to be on the t38 in rough weather! If you need extra space that is fine, but I would be careful as a big inflatable is still an inflatable for all that good and bad that comes with that. I would almost be happier with a t32 myself if I'm honest just for ease of transport.

[Stephen Potts]

Thank you. Everything you mentioned is true. I do like the T32 and can manage it well, also I have a new Yamaha 9.9hp 4 stroke that preforms well with it. I might of been in the opinion that bigger might be safer. Thanks Steve

[Stephen Potts]

Hello Steve. I had a good look at the Excel SD360 and it looks like a nice inflatable. I also have heard someone else had trouble with the air deck movement near the stern. A yamaha 9.9hp 4 stroke would work well on this inflatable. Do you use Excels transom wheels with it. Thanks Steve

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Stephen Potts

Hello Steve. I had a good look at the Excel SD360 and it looks like a nice inflatable. I also have heard someone else had trouble with the air deck movement near the stern. A yamaha 9.9hp 4 stroke would work well on this inflatable. Do you use Excels transom wheels with it. Thanks Steve

Don't be put off by any airdeck movement! I hardly had any, 3 or 4 times at most, and it wouldn't surprise me if I was running under pressure. I redesigned the keelboard because I thought it could work better as one piece instead of 2

https://www.rib.net/forum/f50/airdeck-keel-board-redesign-87561.html

To be honest if it's just you in an SD360 then a 9.9hp 4st Yam will work well, but with 2 up I think it will struggle to stay on the plane. The SD360 is heavy and it's a big SIB, it is very wide as compared to most other SIBs of the same length. That does make it very stable and makes it feel very safe. But I think you would be disappointed with the performance if you compare it with your T32 with the same outboard.
I run mine with a 15hp EFI Merc, 2 up, a dog and lots of kit. Max's out around 16.5knts and has a lot of grunt when needed, saying all that I've just picked up a 20hp EFI Merc because I always want that little bit more!

I can't recommend any transom wheels as I've had so many problems with them.

https://www.rib.net/forum/f50/broken-transom-wheels-excel-customer-service-86211.html

If I was you I'd read and take note of Fenlanders extensive research on transom wheels. I know on my next Sib I will be following Fens lead.

[Stephen Potts]

Thank you Steve for your time and all the good information you sent me. Best wishes Steve