Honwave seams

[Stigomery]

OK,

So I might be worrying about nothing here as it's my first SIB and I don't know what to expect build-wise but the seam at the bow, inner, attaching tube to floor is slightly peeled off on the tube... Surely on a brand new boat every seam should be tightly glued down with no lifting anywhere?!?

[Fenlander]

Yep really sorry that's got to go back to the dealer, ideally before you use it. The Honwave I have a few years back was perfect out of the box and remained so and in general they have a good reputation so I'd not worry it's a dodgy brand.

For my part around 2010 I had two faulty brand new Zodiacs in a row (seam and other issues) plus the Bombard I bought new this year needed a new air floor as it was delivered faulty.

So you do get the odd iffy one slip through.

Hard to tell from a photo the extent of it but that is the sort of seam edge lifting you look out for on a 12yr old plus SIB which is just starting early sign of glue failure. Can you try and pull it apart more... the glue should be capable of resisting your full strength pulling it apart.

[Stigomery]

I'll have a pull later (ahem)...

And the bloomin Sikaflex has probably cured by now on the transom wheel fixings!!!

Sigh!


Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.
Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

[Stigomery]

Difficult to picture. When I pulled at it a little more gave way and then the rest is rock solid. In all the bit that is not glued is about 10cm long by 1cm deep. No glue residue that I can see but perhaps it's heat sealed rather than glued.

[Fenlander]

Hard to see exactly but in your first image of post 4 it looks like a stitched seam where the stitching has run off line or there was too much material left outside the stitching line??

What's the stitching doing there and how is it sealed not to leak air through the stitch holes??

It would be interesting to hear from another air floor Honwave 3.8 owner who could look at theirs.

[Stigomery]

I see what you mean. Since we're on the subject of stitching, is this supposed to look like this? Runs the whole way round the inside of the boat where the floor meets the tubes:




Looks to me like all of the sticking has ripped open but since it was the whole way round I assumed it was remnants of the manufacture process.

[Stigomery]

In terms of that image you refer to Fenlander, it's definitely not something that has run out of line on the upper edge, simply that it was never adhered. The line you see in the image runs true as far as I can see.

[Fenlander]

That is a strange setup... you really need to have someone with an air floor Honwave comment (or the dealer). My Honwave was the 3.5AE with an alloy floor. It certainly never had any unglued seam sections or "previously stiched" areas with the stitching pulled out.

Very odd.

[Custom RIB]

Take that straight back!

[beerbelly]

certainly don't remember any of that on my 3.2 airfloor honwave id be contacting the dealer you bought it from

[Yabadabadoo]

Seconded Mr Belly's reply no stitching on my 3.2 very strange looking.

[kaman]

Sorry to see that your eagerly awaited new Sib ain't 100%.

I've got a Honwave 3.5ae which is almost 6 years old now.
It's lived rolled up in my garage for the first year of its life.
The remainder it's been living wrapped up fully inflated under its cover and a tarp on my drive.
Checked all of the seams end of October and all were perfect.
Been very impressed with it in general considering it's bargain price tag.
Most honwave owners are very happy with the build quality of their Sibs.
As with everything you buy nowadays - unfortunately you get the odd example not fit for purpose.
Hope you get sorted out soon.

[psycho]

Originally Posted by Stigomery

I see what you mean. Since we're on the subject of stitching, is this supposed to look like this? Runs the whole way round the inside of the boat where the floor meets the tubes:

Attachment 110187
Attachment 110188

Looks to me like all of the sticking has ripped open but since it was the whole way round I assumed it was remnants of the manufacture process.

Take it straight back.

I have seen that before, BUT, it was not on a 'Honwave'...! It was on a 'SunSport', which I am led to believe is a cheap chinese copy of the 'Honwave'.

[69cmw]

Originally Posted by psycho

Take it straight back.



I have seen that before, BUT, it was not on a 'Honwave'...! It was on a 'SunSport', which I am led to believe is a cheap chinese copy of the 'Honwave'.

I got told Sunsport and Honwave inflatables were made in the same Chinese factory.

[kaman]

Unless I am very much mistaken Honwave Sibs are made in China by Sunsport.
I believe they make Suzumar and possibly Yam Sibs too - as well as a host of others.
I'm sure that due to the volume they are turning out there will be good ones and bad ones out there.

[Fenlander]

Any news on this Stig? In my experience very unexpected from Honwave so hopefully getting resolved without too much stress??

[Stigomery]

First day back in the office today after Xmas for the dealer (Ely Boat Chandlers)... they emailed Honda at 08:30, emailed me separately at 9:15 and he's due to call me imminently so i should know today/tomorrow what they are proposing/how to resolve.

To-date their service has been way above standard so I'm not expecting any issues... will update

[Stigomery]

True to form the dealer has called back, understands the issues and was very accommodating/concerned.

He seems more concerned with the weird stitching round the bottom of the boat than the peeling seam but regardless wants to wait to speak to the Honda guy first and then process a warranty claim.

As for the Sikaflex/wheels... "well it might be a bugger to get them off but that's not your problem"...

[Fenlander]

Oh that alll sounds hopeful... my experience of SIB dealers has been good.

When I received a faulty new Zodiac (seams) a few years back the dealer was brilliant and arranged for collection and replacement very promptly. When the replacement had even more faults he was excellent too in collecting it and sending a full refund cheque.

Then in 2015 when there was an issue with my new Bombard the (different) dealer was spot on in dealing with Zodiac and arranging a resolution. Sadly though Zodiac soured things a little by later refusing what I believed was a fair gesture based on losses the issue had caused me.

[Dave Cowell]

The stiching is part of the manufacturing process and is used to hold the tape folded together, that is nothing to worry about. We have a Honwave that is in for warranty work (we dont sell them, just repair them) and it has the same stiching.

The loose edge should be glued down, take it back to the dealer and Honwave will no doubt authorise a repair under warranty.