My honwave T38 build/help

[Sibfish]

Hi i have just started on the sib hobby/obsession and here is my build so far.
Specs:
T38IE/slightly wonky floor
Tohatsu 9.8 4 stroke
Mariner 3.3 2 stroke (back up)
Ocean signals PLB1
4kg grapnel anchor 30m rope and 3m chain
Fishing box for sea sickness tablets
Bravo ge pump got a good deal on it £114 delivered (i tried the foot pump and then binned it, waste of time)
I made some storage stands from cut off oak kitchen work tops, i put an old jack under the tohatsu just for support, its new and shiny if it falls over i will cry.

Need to get:
Launch wheels
Life jackets
Fish finder
Fishing rods
Outboard/boat mover thing
Boat mover/helper/someone to move it for me
Time off work to use boat

Any thoughts on the spare engine? Should i put some rubber matting under it just in case? the prop is plastic.

What do you use for finding fishing spots?

Im getting there just need a few bits and bobs.

[Oldman]

Where do you intend launching from? I would suggest you investigate fishing clubs close to where you intend launching, though I guess getting membership at this time might be difficult, but members will know the local marks for fishing.
As to carrying the spare engine with you, if you broke down at sea are you in all honesty even in calm conditions going to be able to lift off your 9.8hp outboard and place it gently on your air floor on your own before putting the spare on the transom? On a bigger boat you would have a space to have the spare fitted already, but not on these sibs it seems. If you had someone with you then maybe lifting the engine off safely is possible, but then would you have room for the spare engine and a passenger?
In my opinion, and I'm new here, your better off fishing with other boats in sight or mates fishing near you, at least until you get confidence in your gear and abilities.
Its looking good though, does it all fit in the car so far?

[ChrisParish]

I’m with @Oldman with regards to the spare engine. Unless you can find a way of mounting it on the transom before you leave shore then leave it behind. As pointed out, you would struggle to remove your 9.9 and replace it with the spare. The other thing is that unless you can tie it down that small engine is going to bounce around if you are on the plane and hit anything resembling a wave, which would be extremely dangerous and could result in injuries to anyone onboard.
All in all I think the risks of carrying that second engine and swapping it over outweigh the risk of a new engine failing (provided you keep the tohatsu in good condition)

[harrison]

Second @Oldman comments above re motors. Also aux motor will destroy the floor and boat bouncing around whilst underway. At the very least get a padded carry bag for it and protect the floor with rubber matting. Having said that, and being brutally honest, just leave it ashore.

Lots on here, including myself, use a cheap modified sack truck for storing and trundling the motor around.

[Oldman]

@Sibfish When you are ready for "sea trials" if you want to use the nice easy wide slip at Herne Bay give me a shout and I could arrange to meet you there to help with your unload/launch & recovery. You do have to pay to park there but its convenient.

[mm289]

Hi @Sibfish nice looking outfit, should be fun.

Echo all the comments above re spare engine. IMHO only safe way to transport a backup would be on the transom and not sure the 38ie has enough room to do that. Gurnard uses one on his bigger trips (Donny Wilcox YouTube channel) but he has a much larger Quicksilver 430 I think.

Re moving are you going to be trailering the Honwave or deflating/inflating? The Kent coast is frustrating as despite having so much coastline we have very few launching spots. I am based out of Folkestone but grew up in Deal. Have launched from infront of the rowing club last year but you end humping the boat down over the shingle. OK if there are a couple of you and you are fittish

Other than that slipways are only in Dover harbour and one at Sandwich which is only useable a couple of hours each side of HT.

Folkestone harbour slipways are not really useable so North Kent as suggested by @Oldman is a better bet. (If you ever want to have a get together up there let me know as there are beginning to be quite a few Kent Sibbers on here )

I have looked at Kingsdown, there is a wooden slip but the access to it is restricted by bollards so don't know if it is only for the fishing boats (that don't run from there now ) I did chat to a chap who was launching a T38 from there last year, but he unloaded from the car and assembled/inflated on the far side of the bollards - might try it sometime as you could then fish of the old ranges at Kingsdown which is quite a rocky area.

Re fishing, I'm not really an expert on boats, mostly fished from the beach, but most of what I read seems to suggest looking for "features" on the sea bed, wrecks, rocks, sand banks etc.

If you go on YouTube there is a really good channel called The Fish Locker, guy who fishes down in the West Country out of a small boat.

Cheers,

Paul.

[Sibfish]

Hi everyone thanks for all the tips and advise!

Regards to the spare engine i had a play around with different positions and i found strapping it to the bow with some industrial rubber matting under it will do just fine, i wouldnt feel comfortable going out without it with my son aboard and not being able to get back to shore, and i tried lifting the main engine off the transom and place it on the floor from inside the boat and its not that difficult (i have another rubber matt next to the transom) , granted it will be a bit more difficult at sea but im ok with it (if i can lift the engine and walk up 3 sets of stairs with it im sure i can lift it a few inches and lay it down) . Even if i hurt my back i will just cut the spray triangle off and shove it over then use the spare. Also the engine would lay on the floor and the passenger would put their feet on it or sit on it, we would just need to get back to shore. In any case the spare will be strapped down like in the photos i used the tank strap just need to put some rubber matting under it (i have found the bow to be a better solution). Also if i stick with the t38 might just trim the spray triangles things to suit so i can mount the spare and shove the main engine over when needed.

And i will be lumping it in and out of the boot of my car as where i live, i have nowhere for a trailer (shame). The shingle is a pain to get up on foot let alone with a boat.

@Oldman - Thanks for the picture of the slip i have been looking for pictures so i can see what to expect and how steep it is. Herne bay is the place i will be using most as this area is a pain for beach launching. We will have to meet up and go out for a day when the time is rite, it will be a while yet as i have only just ordered the launch wheels and i am still figuring things out. So long as the council havent blocked it off like the small launch next to it.

[Oldman]

@Sibfish The main silpway is usable for around 3hrs each side of high water, after that its just mud where there should be water but the council dont have the money to keep it clear. When the harbour was designed it had a through flow of water to keep the silt out but the council blocked the tubes in case kids got sucked into them, so now it silts up.
The old neptune slipway still exists and is in use, its next to the car & trailer park and can be used at a slightly lower state of tide so if you leave it too late for the main one you may still get on the old one. This gets blocked each winter with shingle caused by longshore drift and again with limited funds the council only clear it when funds allow.
The slip that the council recently temporarily blocked off is Hampton to the west, due to it being over run with jetskiers some of who ignored the rules and ruined it for others.

[ChrisParish]

Ultimately it’s your call regarding the spare engine but be aware that just trimming off the triangles won’t allow you to put the engine down as the trim tabs stick out underneath.

Also, just out of curiosity, how are you strapping it down. You may feel that something is secure when you are in dry land, but believe me - the sea kicks things lose like you wouldn’t believe. If you are planning on using the strap that holds the tank I should warn you that as soon as that strap gets damp it slips and comes lose.

Nothing stays put in a T38. Unless you glue some tie down points to the floor that engine is going to bounce and move around and it is going to risk catching someone’s foot. Which is worse: having to put your anchor down and call for help (or just row back to shore), or having a passenger with a broken ankle?