sib's

rugrat · 27 October 2006, 22:57

hi all
I am thinking of trading in the searider for a sib

mainly because its becoming a bit of a pain in the neck and secondly because i have been offered a vgc 2003 mariner 15 for very neally free!
so which sib would give the best "nearly a rib" performance on 15 horses?
below 1k.
cheers

prairie tuber · 28 October 2006, 03:43

I assume your looking for something used in that price range? I wouldn't trust anything new that sells in that price range with a motor of any size behind it.

If you can find an older hypalon zodiac in the 12-14 foot range (Mark II compact or Mark II) that is in good shape, in that price range, you could get some good bang for your buck. Aside from the overall condition of the fabric, closely inspect the condition of the transom-fabric attachments as well as the thrustboard-fabric attachments. Also check the wear of the fabric floor especially near the transom. I'm sure there are a number of other brands that could be worth getting as older used SIBs, but I don't have personal experience with them. Also if buying older used, I would stick with hypalon fabric.

stevetheboat · 28 October 2006, 05:21

Rugrat,

we can supply the ideal halfway option between a RIB and a SIB the new Wetline 350 Airrib has an inflatable solid V shaped floor to give you the performance and extra speed of a Rib but the whole thing deflates and will roll up into the boot of a standard family saloon.
It has a solid GRP transom and will take 15hp easily and can carry upto 5 people costs around £1000.00

If thats too big we have a 265 version but that is rated to 8 hp & 3 people

PM me with your address if you`d like a brochure and price list.

All the best,
Steve

J S · 28 October 2006, 10:46

I Have a Zodiac 340 FR Acti-v Very pleased with it. Have got 24kts with a 15hp Honda

out of it with minimal equipment on board and me. It takes some fair amount of chop very comfortably and it tracks very well because of the V hull. The deck is also very good as it is angled down from the centre slightly so all the spray drains off very quickly. Also i have found it is ok for wakeboarding and kneeboarding for people under about 12 stone. It will plane with 7 15 year olds in it but the max it is meant to take is 5 adults and 1 child.

Bit over Budget but I got mine for £1,100 from Mga Watersports

James

Poly · 28 October 2006, 11:37

rugrat,

are you 100% comitted to the idea of a SIB? there are some rotomoulded plastic "rib" styled boats about - which might just be about the money you are looking for. I have a 3.9m console steered one which is powered by a 20HP and gives about 22 knots. There is a smaller boat (about 3.5m?) which looks perfect as a sib replacement - and I think is around £1000.

try www.atlanticfocus.co.uk but there are competitors such as: steadyboats, mac boats, pioneer etc. all with boats in this size range.

some of them are not the pretiest - but they are more robust than a sib and generally better value.

Richard B · 28 October 2006, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by rugrat

which sib would give the best "nearly a rib" performance on 15 horses?

None of them! A Sib won't ever come anywhere near the performance of a RIB as even those with an inflatable keel have a bottom that's nearly flat in comparrison to a deep V hull like a Searider. So your boating will be limited to sheltered waters in good weather. And in terms of speed,anything over 20kts will feel like 100mph as you're so close to the water and tiller steering is very twitchy! A Sib to take a 15hp Mariner will be about 3.2 to 3.6 in length, and most weigh about 45-55 kgs which is very difficult to manoevure without a trailer. My own preference would be to stick with the Searider.

J S · 28 October 2006, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

And in terms of speed,anything over 20kts will feel like 100mph as you're so close to the water and tiller steering is very twitchy!

Thats what makes them such good fun. And with the tiller steering so manouvrable. Ok there not that comfortable for a long cruise but for blasting about there the best.

James

codprawn · 28 October 2006, 14:52

I find my Quicksilver 3.1m with a 15hp just as much fun as my 9m - just in different ways. It feels faster even if it's only doing 22kts. It makes you read the sea better and you can nose up rivers for miles where you wouldn't dream of taking a normal boat. And with a 4 stroke Suzuki it uses less petrol than my strimmer - well almost!!!

it is easy to move around with the transom wheels - they are a must. If I hadn't had such a bargain and was buying new I would go for a slightly bigger one - say a 3.4 or 3.8m with a Tohtsu 18hp 2 stroke - or else a zapcat!!!

Richard B · 28 October 2006, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

If I hadn't had such a bargain and was buying new I would go for a slightly bigger one - say a 3.4 or 3.8m with a Tohtsu 18hp 2 stroke - or else a zapcat!!!

I don't think there's much point in going bigger - I used to have a 3.6 with a Tohatsu 18 and always wished it was smaller. I've never tried the transom wheels though, they look like a great idea, just stupidly expensive!

codprawn · 28 October 2006, 17:11

A Tohatsu 18 is lighter than my 15hp 4 stroke. The stainless wheel set I have is pretty well made - not bad for the money - the slightly cheaper ones are crap and well overpriced though!!!

http://www.polymarine.com/products/p...%5B1839%5D.cfm

These are the good ones.

Richard B · 28 October 2006, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

A Tohatsu 18 is lighter than my 15hp 4 stroke.

D'oh! You bought the wrong engine!

codprawn · 28 October 2006, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

D'oh! You bought the wrong engine!

Not when I had the boat AND engine still under guarantee and only used 3 times for £1200 I didn't!!!

ian parkes · 28 October 2006, 21:15

Go look at the honda sibs , I had the 3.8 inflatable keel and it was superb , certainly the best inflatable floor I have ever seen . They are under £900 new and really well made . It went well with a honda 20 , and would have gone even better with a 2 stroke . Pulled an adult on a donut OK

I sometimes really miss that boat , the bit i don't miss was when it has got choppy and there was 10 miles to get home , the boat coped well but riding in it really used to beat us up bigger waves were no problem its the small wind over tide etc that is the worst.

Biggles · 28 October 2006, 21:38

Ian,

Have you got a pic of your present boat. Just a hunch.

Nick.

mike · 28 October 2006, 22:42

I,ve had afew most are ok from the main makes avon V exp/but solid, zodiac ditto but more fun but the worst of all and undoubtedly my crappiest ever boat was the quicksilver 4.3 HD rated for 40 hp we used a 10 hp 4 stroke and the floor flexed when we throttled up, the fabric was thin and the floor finish, crap.

strangely the normal non pro quicksilvers are excellent and i plan to grab one asap!
Our local dealer for them sells loads and we saw 3.4 with 15 hp pulling water toys every sunny calm ish day here

codprawn · 28 October 2006, 22:48

My Quicksilver 3.1 is great - it has a plywood floor which is tricky to assemble but makes it very rigid - better than an air floor for speed.

ian parkes · 28 October 2006, 23:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Ian,

Have you got a pic of your present boat. Just a hunch.

Nick.

I don't really have any decent ones on my computer take a look here in the gallery Cornwall247.co.uk Randski has posted a few of us . I have loads of pics of the others

Iam dying to know what your hunch is

Biggles · 28 October 2006, 23:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian parkes

I don't really have any decent ones on my computer take a look here in the gallery Cornwall247.co.uk Randski has posted a few of us . I have loads of pics of the others

Iam dying to know what your hunch is

Ian,

tried Cornwall247 but really need a link to see pics of your boat. Can you post ?

Nick.

ian parkes · 28 October 2006, 23:52

Go to 24 7 and go into the forum then scroll down to the gallery
Open the gallery and look at Parkesy's new boat or the Scillies trip July

I have modified the bottle rack into a seat since then

rugrat · 30 October 2006, 15:52

prairie tuber,
remember we are talking about ENGLISH pounds.

i could get a perfectly adequate sib for below 1k.

anyway, the main reason for wanting to convert to a sib is accessability.
i live in a small house with no space to keep a rib, at the moment its sitting on its mooring with a buggered engine which i can do nothing about.
i just want something to stick on the roofrack that i can keep in my shed.
also the searider is bl**dy thirsty! like codprawn said his honda uses less than his strimmer, even if it is the wrong engine!

also twitchy stearing, feeling like its going 100mph.....its a boat not an armchair!
thanks for the replies.
will