Seapro Reccomendation ?

[Paul B]

I really appreciate the sound advice gentlemen and it all makes sense, no point taking chances and spoiling the fun for the sake of a couple of hundred pounds
I shall save a bit harder and longer ! I'm quite taken with the idea of a T38 now, although those F-Ribs get the pulse going a bit, but there has to be a limit, sadly!

Thank you for putting the images up Martin, much appreciated. Is the Suzuki better value for money compared against buying a Honda or other makes?

The T38 is a really good boat, whilst I like my T32. The extra length and width of the T38 makes such a difference it's unreal, myself and Martin was out together with the same hp engines, the sea state was a little lumpy and Martins T38 was taking it in his stride whilst my T32 was jumping around like a little terrier, still more than capable but, it's keeps you on your toes, If I was going to change mine it would be for the T38 or the T40 as I trailer mine

[Paul]

Pete
The Seapro 340 airdeck looks like a nicely constructed and finished sib however I've no personal experience of the make
I think the inflatable keel is ideal for calmer water use with smaller horse power outboards operated at lower speeds.
When I was looking to buy a sib I was put off the design of the inflatable keel method because of reports of the keel moving from side to side/up and down in a chop or at speed thus upsetting the handling of the craft, particularly with a 'flexable' inflatable deck keeping the keel in situ, aluminium floors being more 'ridged' suffer less (hope that makes sense)
I can only offer this information from experiences shared by other sibbers and no doubt members with this type of floor/keel can offer their own advice and review.

Air floor with inflatable keel

Air floor insertb.gif.jpg (6.37 KiB) Viewed 5505 times

My previous personal experience has been with a 'V' air hull similar in design to the Honwave and it performed very well.
The floor and keel being 'as one' does move if you are in a heavy chop or at high speeds but will 'correct' itself (hope that makes sense)

'V' air floor/keel

vairfloor.jpg (20.99 KiB) Viewed 5505 times

Put it this way.....turn over a 'V' floor hull and you can stand on it......turn over the inflatable keel and do the same

It really comes down to your 'needs' but I'd agree if you intend using the craft at sea it's always good to have a bit of power to get you out of bother when required......base line for me would be 3.2M with around 10hp.... particularly if 2 up
Do your research, as you are and you'll get the best bang for your buck and love sibbing I'm sure

[Pete]

I have a much better understanding of engine power required and hull design or floor design and I can't thank you gents enough I came across some information last night about launching around Wales, a SIB of 3.6 metres or less with an engine of 9.9 HP or less is free to launch, anything over and you pay £16.00. Appreciate that isn't a lot of money but I don't make a lot so it might be worth me staying within the above guide lines.
The more I read I can see the F-Rib 360 ticking all the boxes, but price is a major factor so no point dreaming too much I noticed a Honwave T35 for £858.00 which would be with in my budget, and if my credit card wasn't in intensive care I'd be very tempted. Engine wise, I reckon following Martin's advice a Suzuki 9.9 HP should fit the bill...Again, thank you for all the help gents

[Paul]

Pete

It's great that you're working you way towards a decision on what type of sib suits your needs
Other things to take into consideration are set-up time and weight.....if the boat takes ages to set-up and is heavy to handle/transport the less time you'll be inclined to use it
You've mentioned the Honwave T35, full part number T35-AE so take note that this is a model having a aluminium floor/deck weighing in at 73kg.
The 'V' high pressure hull Honwave's in the 3.2-3.8m sizes are the T32-IE2 weight 39kg and the T38-IE2 weight 48kg..........some considerable weight difference between AE and IE models as you can see.
Kaman has the T35-AE Honwave and I'm sure he'll be more than happy to advise you about his ownership experience..........if and when he ever gets back from his holidaybubs out on the Indian Ocean

[Paul B]

I have a much better understanding of engine power required and hull design or floor design and I can't thank you gents enough I came across some information last night about launching around Wales, a SIB of 3.6 metres or less with an engine of 9.9 HP or less is free to launch, anything over and you pay £16.00. Appreciate that isn't a lot of money but I don't make a lot so it might be worth me staying within the above guide lines.
The more I read I can see the F-Rib 360 ticking all the boxes, but price is a major factor so no point dreaming too much I noticed a Honwave T35 for £858.00 which would be with in my budget, and if my credit card wasn't in intensive care I'd be very tempted. Engine wise, I reckon following Martin's advice a Suzuki 9.9 HP should fit the bill...Again, thank you for all the help gents

Pete. The Suzuki 9.9 can be converted to a 15 quite easily, so if you get one , it's not a big or overly expensive job to get extra power at a later date

[Paul B]

I have a much better understanding of engine power required and hull design or floor design and I can't thank you gents enough I came across some information last night about launching around Wales, a SIB of 3.6 metres or less with an engine of 9.9 HP or less is free to launch, anything over and you pay £16.00. Appreciate that isn't a lot of money but I don't make a lot so it might be worth me staying within the above guide lines.
The more I read I can see the F-Rib 360 ticking all the boxes, but price is a major factor so no point dreaming too much I noticed a Honwave T35 for £858.00 which would be with in my budget, and if my credit card wasn't in intensive care I'd be very tempted. Engine wise, I reckon following Martin's advice a Suzuki 9.9 HP should fit the bill...Again, thank you for all the help gents

Pete. The Suzuki 9.9 can be converted to a 15 quite easily, so if you get one , it's not a big or overly expensive job to get extra power at a later date

That MAY be incorrect Paul and I wouldn't want to mislead Pete.
Iirc, that 9.9hp of your dads was a high torque 2008 with (I think) 327cc, the same cc as a 15hp of that year. Suzuki made several changes around the 2006-2009 time.
A carb change due to throttle body size was the only requirement afaik.
Also keep in mind, the later (2011) 15hp go to efi, so no carb
And 2015 the 9.9hp, 15hp & 20hp go lean burn efi.

[Pete]

Pete

It's great that you're working you way towards a decision on what type of sib suits your needs
Other things to take into consideration are set-up time and weight.....if the boat takes ages to set-up and is heavy to handle/transport the less time you'll be inclined to use it
You've mentioned the Honwave T35, full part number T35-AE so take note that this is a model having a aluminium floor/deck weighing in at 73kg.
The 'V' high pressure hull Honwave's in the 3.2-3.8m sizes are the T32-IE2 weight 39kg and the T38-IE2 weight 48kg..........some considerable weight difference between AE and IE models as you can see.
Kaman has the T35-AE Honwave and I'm sure he'll be more than happy to advise you about his ownership experience..........if and when he ever gets back from his holidaybubs out on the Indian Ocean

I'm glad you pointed the weight out Paul, wasn't something I noticed. Hadn't realised the alloy floor would weigh so much, quite a difference. I haven't set my heart on any one model yet, and I have plenty of time of to decide. I might not restrict myself to a 3.6 and 9-9 hp. We'll see.


Pete. The Suzuki 9.9 can be converted to a 15 quite easily, so if you get one , it's not a big or overly expensive job to get extra power at a later date [/quote]

What Martin said Sorry Paul, I couldn't resist! I wouldn't have had a clue that you could have upgraded an engine, but there again I know nothing about engines.
Your dad knew what he was buying though.

[Pete]

Pete

It's great that you're working you way towards a decision on what type of sib suits your needs
Other things to take into consideration are set-up time and weight.....if the boat takes ages to set-up and is heavy to handle/transport the less time you'll be inclined to use it
You've mentioned the Honwave T35, full part number T35-AE so take note that this is a model having a aluminium floor/deck weighing in at 73kg.
The 'V' high pressure hull Honwave's in the 3.2-3.8m sizes are the T32-IE2 weight 39kg and the T38-IE2 weight 48kg..........some considerable weight difference between AE and IE models as you can see.
Kaman has the T35-AE Honwave and I'm sure he'll be more than happy to advise you about his ownership experience..........if and when he ever gets back from his holidaybubs out on the Indian Ocean

I'm glad you pointed the weight out Paul, wasn't something I noticed. Hadn't realised the alloy floor would weigh so much, quite a difference. I haven't set my heart on any one model yet, and I have plenty of time of to decide. I quite like the shape of the T35-AE having more room at the nose, but I might not restrict myself to a 3.6 or below and 9-9 hp. We'll see.

Pete. The Suzuki 9.9 can be converted to a 15 quite easily, so if you get one , it's not a big or overly expensive job to get extra power at a later date

What Martin said Sorry Paul, I couldn't resist! I wouldn't have had a clue that you could have upgraded an engine, but there again I know nothing about engines.Your dad knew what he was buying though.

[kaman]

Hi guys just skimmed thru this thread and noticed the mention of the Honwave 3.5ae.
As Paul mentions it's a heavy lump.
What I can say about my 2010 model - it's provided me with much, much more fun than you could've ever imagined it's 800 quid price tag could have.
Solidly built, handles a chop very well for its size, roomy a bargain!
Checked mines over thoroughly a few weeks back and no signs of the dreaded seam / glue failure.
Good to hit the water again this year.

Mine's lives permanently on a homemade trailer outdoors undercover as it's a PITA to inflate / deflate each time you want go use it.
At the least it's gonna need transom wheels to get it in and out of the water - then the dreaded pack / unpack / wash ............. routine.
Unless you're gonna trailer it I'd say the weight and time spent budding the 3.5ae is gonna be counter productive.

The reason I bought mines was as a cheap sea fishing platform and it certainly ticked all the boxes.
Now that I've digressed into exploring the Scottish coasts and sea lochs I'm probably gonna go for a small Rib next year.
The 3.5ae is rather slow compared with the likes of the Frib and aluminium hulled Ribs - and it weighs around the same as both.

Much more positives than negatives but I'd go down the airfloor route unless your gonna trailer it or oy use it a couple of times a year.

[Martin]

So in other words Kaman
You really want the 4m f-rib