Excel Volaire RD 390 - Pictures and keel jumping

[billysince1976]

That black looks awesome!

[Brerabit]

Thanks @billysince1976
I did try to get a red one initially cos' I thought the black might look a bit 'Tactical' but I didn't want to wait.
I love it now - but I have had to brighten my clothes up a bit to avoid the SBS look.

[harrison]

Saw this on the other channel where a thread is running about air floor sibs. The Excel Volaire was mentioned by a very knowledgable sibber, along with a reference to the Russian Solar brand who pioneered this type of air floor.

[ChrisParish]

That’s a very interesting video @harrison although they do say the same thing about 20 times....

There is a good bit where they are jumping on the keels just like @Martin was encouraging @Brerabit to do.

Wondering if this could be the future of airfloor: “like riding the waves in a Lexus” according to that video.

As an aside does anyone know what the ‘S’ stands for on the front of the Excel SIBs? (No smart arse DC fans pointing out that it isn’t an S but the symbol for the house of El, please)

[Brerabit]

Very interesting video @harrison, well spotted. I had no idea this design had been around so long - and appears to be fairly well regarded. Perhaps this is where @Martin picked up his propensity for keel jumping?

Difficult to spot with the fast editing but how on earth were they skidding over rock and shingle without damaging either the hull or the motor?

The only significant difference I picked up on was the operating pressure of the hull, 0.4bar for the Excel and only 0.25 bar for the Solar. In fact I was told by Excel when I collected my boat that it would operate perfectly ok at 0.25bar but 0.4bar, the recommended max, would give increased rigidity.

I don’t know how the Volaire compares to other boats in terms of inflation time but I would think they’re all similar as it’s simply a product of volume and pump efficiency. With the Excel the three tubes, two sides and the bow, all take 3mins to get to 0.25bar each while the floor takes four mins i.e. around 13mins in total with a Bravo two stage pump.

Regarding the ’S’ logo on the front I did ask but can’t remember the details. I think it relates to a previous trading name but couldn’t discount the fact that maybe it’s been retained because it looks a bit like the Zodiac logo - from a distance and if you squint a bit…

[harrison]

So, having been intrigued by all the hooha surrounding the Volaire and having failed to see one in the flesh, bit the bullet today and paid a visit to Excel.

Been a few times over the years and, although not really geared up for customers, luckily had a 3.9 and 5.3 in black outside. Both 2017, a tad dirty and under inflated, but still there to see.

Initial impression was they looked rather utilitarian. Perhaps due to being all black, all fittings black coated, and tubes faceted rather than curved (as website) giving a more utility feel.

They have a wide beam with large diameter tubes and a very meaty 38mm thick transom plated to 30hp max (website 20hp?). Hardly any shear rise built in to the tubes at the bow but hull has a decent V at bow to compensate. Tube overhang past transom long at 800mm on 390. Wide full length tube protector strips under side sponsons is a nice touch and commensurate with the robust feel to the construction. Prv’s fitted as standard to front tube compartment and floor....good job if going ‘Special Forces’ all black livery. Double sliding seat mounts look problematic (as F-Ribs) and will likely have you sliding rearwards during spirited use of the throttle.


I was however very impressed with the inflatable floor and hull shape. Whilst not inflated to anything like working pressure you could still see the hull shape and appreciate how the rigidity is achieved. Along the central keel section it is around 300mm deep at its tallest point towards the bow and still nearly 100mm to the full width at transom.

To be honest the floor looks to be a blatant but decent copy of the Russian Solar ‘Jet’ boat hulls. Nothing particularly wrong in that per se...assuming Solar having been a bit lax in the patents department. I think Solar developed this hull for shallow water river/rapids use so will be interesting how it translates to sea use in typical UK swell and chop. Having a decent V profile all indicates it should fair well.....perhaps a limiting factor would be the lack of any decent shear rise built into the tubes.

I’m just bleedin thankful they didn’t have a 420 in grey or red in stock, otherwise I’d probably have handed over the readies and be blowing it up now.

A few pics;

Not a lot of shear rise

Bow shot

Top view forward

Rated to 30 gee gees

Hull side profile

Hull at bow

Hull at transom

Hull 3/4 view

Hull at transom

Transom depth

Splashguards/transom

Air floor extends under transom

[ChrisParish]

Thanks for taking the time and going down there @harrison.

In some of the pictures the V in the hull is really pronounced.
It’s a shame they didn’t stick with the curved front that the drawings on the website have, but I have noticed a few other inconsistencies between the drawings and the real thing. For example the internal beam on the website for the 420 is 90 but the drawing shows the 430 with an internal beam of 1m+

Anyhoo - that’s not really relevant here.

I think I would want one in red. A 420 / 430 (whatever it is) would be fun.

[Brerabit]

I think you’re bob-on @harrison with the Solar inspiration; I think Solar have been doing it for 11-12 years.

When I watched their video I was astonished with the way they were skidding them over pebbly shallows so went to the website to find out more. I’m not sure whether they do a ‘normal’ hull but the sites main emphasis seemed to be on the Jet range which as the name suggests, utilise jet outboards. The hull is similar to the Volaire until it approaches the transom where it quickly converts into a shallow catamaran to create a tunnel to supply the motor intake. Looks like a load of fun and perfect for boaters in rivers and shallow water but I suspect there are trade-offs with the jet motor as an all round choice.

Apparently the hull design went from the original squared off front to the more pointed design this year not sure whether that was for functional, production or aesthetic reasons. Personally I prefer the later look.

I too had my doubts about black but unlike you, I couldn’t wait so went for it. Glad I did now - it’s growing on me and so far has got a very positive reaction from others but again it’s a matter of personal taste.

[harrison]

Apparently the hull design went from the original squared off front to the more pointed design this year not sure whether that was for functional, production or aesthetic reasons. Personally I prefer the later look.

I too had my doubts about black but unlike you, I couldn’t wait so went for it. Glad I did now - it’s growing on me and so far has got a very positive reaction from others but again it’s a matter of personal taste.

Actually I’d query they’ve changed anything recently as both Volaire’s I saw were 2017 models according to the hin plates and sporting faceted tubes just like yours. Neither looked anything like the website pics. There seems to be quite a few discrepancies between the pics/spec and actual boats.

To be honest I’d be pretty pissed if I’d ordered off the website specs and photos only to find the tubes faceted not curved, hp rating substantially different, discrepancies in stated length/width/internal width/tube dia. etc. etc. The technical specs would be where I’d decide if the boat was right or not for me.

I’m really pleased you like your boat and the colour. In fairness to Excel they’ve marketed this boat more to the Emergency Services market so can understand why they are predominantly available in black with a few in red. Personally I just don’t like black...also swayed by the solar gain properties of dark colours...each to their own, no worries.

Not trying to diss this/your boat in my observations. Hopefully more of a neutral view to assist others, concentrating on the hull properties whilst highlighting a few discrepancies in the website specs.

After all this boat has been nominated as the T38 successor...let battle commence.

[Ross-L]

Hi guys, id really hoped to have purchased something by now but I put my plans on hold as I wasn't willing to take the risk on a honwave with everything I've read on here, I'm hopefully going to order a 3.9 Volaire soon as they look the part along with a 20hp merc from barnet marine (cheapest i could see by a long way, anything bad about these guys? don't see much about them online) but to get to my question as you guys have got me thinking, is there a downside of getting it in black with heat etc changing the pressure in the tubes or am I overthinking it as I think @Brerabit's boat looks amazing.
ramble over

Ross