Is it time to move on

[bbutty]

Having recently gone from a 320 airdeck sib to a 3.5m fibreglass rib with jockey console and 20hp efi merc, I'd say you'd be lucky to get one of these ribs onto the roof of a van without an electric winch and roller system. I bought the boat as a bare hull and fitted out with a console etc after and with 2 people, it wasn't easy to lift it into the back of a sprinter van upon collection. Its an awkward shape to lift and they are heavy. That said even with the 20hp motor and jockey console fitted with fuel tank and battery, it is easy enough for me to move around on a launch trolley and hand launch 5mins down the road from my house. So this size of rib is manageable on a trolley/wheels, but heavy to lift.

As others have said, I would suggest something along the lines of a T38 or similar for an easy setup and relative manageable weight. You might be alright with an alu hulled rib for lifting on the roof and would likely out perform a sib on the water.

[Limecc]

Interesting heads-up regarding Bill Higham.

We solved the caravan/boat trailer dilemma by taking both cars. If only one car, would do two journeys painful as that may be.

I used to strap the Excel bags to a section of aluminium ladder and fastened everything to the roof bars. Too much too sustain long term and only a matter of time before injury or damage to the car. I purchased an extra bag but the main boat was still almost unmanageable. I had a S-Max and then a Q7 so nominally plenty of boot space but it was always a struggle because of awning etc.

Because of the amount of kit it always took a LONG time to set up. Ended up using the boat less if at all. There's ways to mitigate and I like Harrison's sack truck method to move heavy SIBs at the bow. Others have gone to lengths making mounts for transducers and instruments but nothing beats a permanent installation and just turning up at the slip and launching. So quick and easy and it suits us best. Inconvenience with the trailer being the downside.

[harrison]

Think this sibbing lark is all a state of mind, and @Limecc deffo not a fully paid up member.

Been powerboating, waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing all my life and sibbing/ribbing the last 10+years. For any boating think you have to be keen on all aspects of it, including assembling, launching, cleaning, fettling, faffing etc. or it just becomes a chore. Our sibs and motors got bigger over the years but with a growing but keen boating family, plenty of bodies on hand to haul kit. Now sibbing mostly solo so rigs smaller and lighter, but if I can physically lift it, drag it, launch and retrieve it then keen to carry on doing it.

To be honest our rib is a much less stressful/physical experience and easily able to launch/retrieve solo. It’s all relative though as there are many who would consider even trailer launching a faff, preferring dry-stacks, marinas, moorings etc.

Takes all sorts.

[ChrisParish]

I agree with @harrison. You have to enjoy all aspects of it all. His comments about there being many who would consider trailer launching a faff is bang on - I have members of the family who have declared that if our 5.2m hard boat isn’t placed in a marina they would never use it. @Limecc had a poor experience with his Excel, hence he really doesn’t like the larger aluminium floored SIBs.

Personally I like the fact that I don’t have to bother with a trailer... most of the time.

[Andy wheeldon UK]

For anyone interested, here are some pics taken of my leaking baffle from inside the tubes. I don't know quite what this tells me but it doesn't look half as bad as I was expecting! I can see that in places the re-enforcing tape has come away and this must be where the integrity of the seam has been compromised. As this is structural I suppose that a sealant would only affect a temporary repair and would likely fail again quite soon. Probably failing immediately should the agent tube sustain a puncture!!

[Andy wheeldon UK]

Just for completeness, here are some pics of my boat from the outside.

[ChrisParish]

That is repairable, but it depends how much work you are willing to do.
The options are:
1) Remove the valves (possibly just as you have done to take photos) and perform “keyhole” surgery.
2) Open the seam between the front and rear sections, effect a repair and then re-glue the seam.

There are some other options but they all suck (like cutting an access hole, then patching it)

Given that it is banjaxed anyway now, you may as well have a crack at fixing it.

It is a repair that I would attempt.

[Andy wheeldon UK]

Breaking news!
I am going for it.
I am poised to order and Excel Vanguard XHD 395 right now! I intend to get the really heavy duty big launch wheels..
In the end it was a toss up between the Excel and the Honwave. My wife liked the Excel..
I wasn't sure what supply was like but they told me yesterday, I would be alright if I was quick..
Honwave T40 in stock at our local Marina, so if Excel had told me delivery late Aug, it would have been the Honwave.
Really looking forward to it, can't wait!!

[Andy wheeldon UK]

Well the order is now placed, waiting for the proforma invoice so I can pay. Due to collect it next Thursday!
At the time I ordered some transom wheels, because my old ones are a bit awkward to use and I think they will foul the "anti splash flaps" on the transom there. But I have since seen these:

Anyone used them, rate them? they look the dogs whatsit!
Thinking of cancelling the wheels from Excel in favour of some of these.

[Oldman]

They look to be very good wheels on the right boat. Be aware there are 2 types, one set are fixed and the others unclip so you can keep them separate. Also they are from a New Zealand firm but I have seen what must be Chinese copies at considerably less money available.
Having lower splash triangles will stop easy fitment and those wanting big wheel ground clearances will look elsewhere.
There, I dont have any myself but thats my opinion