F-Ribs And Sibs - Inflatable Boat Community

Hi I was just about 100% decided to get a T38 and have found an alright new price for one. But after talking to someone who fishes from a T38 who said they regretted getting it for fishing due to the deck being awkward and more difficult for storage I am now finding myself not so sure about my choice.

I had originally thought about the T40 but after reading lots of people saying how heavy they were and what a pain it is to put the ally floor in it really put me off. After watching some videos online assembling the T40 it doesn't really look that bad with an electric pump. I will be launching from a slip way I don't think I will have a need for a beach launch with the extra range I will have with a SIB over a kayak. I am viewing a 15hp tohatsu this weekend to go on which ever I decide. From the videos I have seen online the T40 seems a more popular fishing platform. It also seems like there is a lot more room compared to the T38. I have seen people in vids standing up in the T40 and it looks very stable and solid. There aren't as many videos online of people fishing from the T38 is it because it is more cramped inside? I know dimensionally they are very similar but it just looks so much bigger??

Speed isn't a massive concern to me I really just want something that will get me out to my marks and provide a good fishing platform. I will also like to take the family out for trips myself,partner,5 year old and 2 11 year olds. The T40 seems like it might be a bit for roomy for the crew?

I'm 38 and have a Zafira so the boot is pretty huge when the 2 extra seats aren't up and I have no back problems etc yet so will the weight really be that bad? I will on occasion be on my own wanting to go out fishing but often will be going with friends or family. With everything setup on wheels is the T40 really that heavy to move?

Oh and another curveball the excel Volaire and Vanguards look pretty awesome. I am not sure if that's just me wanting to look a badass

I would be very grateful to hear peoples thoughts and experience on this. Matt

I owned a T40 for a short time. A very capable boat, with a 20hp. Went well, but from my exp, no way can you inflate and deflate every time you take it out. Far too much hassle ! Mine was fully inflated and trailered. Its very heavy. Tons of room for fishing though.

My prime reason was fishing also, and if your going to trailer, then get a rib. Much more comfortable !

Hi Matt,

I also looked at the T40 back when I was buying. It is quite an attractive prospect for fishing - it has a solid floor (hook proof and dropped knife proof) as well as a totally flat floor (you can put a garden chair on it if you want to). As a fishing platform it may be superior to the T38. It is wider inside than the T38
I have fished quite a bit from the T38 and I wouldn’t describe it as cramped although you do need to be organised. @Mitch primarily uses his for fishing.

I have owned a wooden floor Zodiac and the Air Floor T38 and they both take a similar time to assemble, but the solid floor required much more effort. With the air floor most of the time is spent waiting for the pump to do its job.

Another plus side for the T40 is that you can use more conventional launch wheels, and unless you are using a trailer you will need launch wheels.

It all comes down to weight and convenience, really. @Andy had a T40 before he bought his RIB and he trailered it - he might be able to weigh in with some advice here.

I have had a go in an Excel Volaire and I was very impressed. It was a 390 and it went very well and was comfortable. However, it is very heavy and fitting launch wheels is awkward.

I think that the T40 is probably the better fishing platform, but the T38 is much easier to inflate, deflate and handle. When it comes to loading it into the car the T40 might even be easier because you can split the package into boat and floor.

Arrrrgh! Too much choice!

Ah - Andy has weighed in.

My gut feeling is that the T40 is just too much work to assemble and disassemble every time. When you first get the boat then that won’t bother you, but in time it will start to grate and you will wind up finding excuses not to use it.
That’s what would happen if it was me - your mileage may vary.

Agree with @ChrisParish . I think you need to make the decision do you want a portable boat, one you can throw into the boot, or do you want to trailer it ? Then your choice will be much easier.

Arghhh. This is a real tough one. Ideally I need something that I can pack away to fit in my shed or my mother inlaws garage while not being used. I rent a garage about 10 miles away that can take up to 40 mins to get to in the summer when traffic is bad. So if on a trailer I would have to go home after fishing the harbour which will take about 20 mins, then set it all up hose it off allow it to dry and then drive it back to the garage on trailer about 40 mins away then drive home another 40 mins.

With a boat I can store in the shed packed up ill have instant access to it as my shed and mother inlaws garage is about 1 min away. I will still have to pack it away after fishing drive home about 15 mins set it up wash it off allow to dry and pack away. So that is definitely a whole lot easier than leaving it setup on a trailer.

So leaving it setup is not currently an option so I guess it boils down to whether or not I can accept the extra effort and weight of the T40....I really don't know how I can answer this without trying it....

Any other feedback from anyone that fishes in the T38 would be appreciated.

Thanks

Difficult one this and ultimately only you can decide. Sadly often the best boat out on the water will not be the easiest to set up/manhandle whilst ashore.

All good advice so far. We’ve had both types and both have merits.

Personally, for the sound of your needs, my vote would just favour a T40. Yes it’s heavy but splits into separate packages, so perhaps ultimately even more manageable/packable. It takes only fractionally longer, and initially more physical effort to assemble but you quickly acquire the knack and skinned knuckles become a thing of the past. There’s no high pressure floor, so pumping up is quicker and far less stressful on your expensive electric pump. You can easily fit traditional/strong aftermarket transom wheels. It’s a far bigger boat than the extra 200mm suggests....beam/internal width much wider, larger diameter toobs and a flat solid floor. Very stable at rest, good seakeeping and more room for your passengers. Downside to the stiff aluminium floor will be a harsher ride when pushing on in chop.

As mentioned, there is also the Volaire. Nice boat, but at 75kg in one lump far too big a package to manhandle solo.

If going down the alumin floor route then the choice of manufacturers opens right up, but the Honwave is up there with the best at this price point. It also doesn’t seem to be plagued with the quality control issues tainting the T38.

How about a Zodiac Cadet Fastroller 360?

I had the Honwave T40 for fishing etc. Good solid platform. The floor is solid once fixed and locked down.

After setting up the bloody floor once, I went and brought a trailer!

Ended up going further and further out from Brighton. Once, about 12 miles.

Sold that a few years back and just purchased a 20’ Centre Console with 150 Yam to push it along.

I know, I’ll get me coat.....

Unread post by enzo200500 » 20 Dec 2019, 17:36

I had the Honwave T40 for fishing etc. Good solid platform. The floor is solid once fixed and locked down.

After setting up the bloody floor once, I went and brought a trailer!

Ended up going further and further out from Brighton. Once, about 12 miles.

Sold that a few years back and just purchased a 20’ Centre Console with 150 Yam to push it along.

I know, I’ll get me coat.....

No, your right !
Great boat, but just too bloody heavy to launch with one person.
Def not a one person boat to launch by yourself, unless from a good deep slipway from a trailer.

This is not a boat to throw in the back of ya car and inflate when ya get there. Its just far too heavy and aint a 5 min build up.

However, its a great piece of kit to launch from a trailer, and poss the best in its class for the price!