Coming soon the Volaire 390 review

[Paul B]

Very interesting hull shape, not seen anthingg like that before, would be interested to see how it compares to the Honwave high pressure one

[warder54]

Looks impressive - especially the hull/floor design

[nala]

Pressures are good and still holding

Glad I put cover over it as a damn seagull christened it

Its a bit of stretched out review i know, but just doing what I can with it, when I have the time x

And it has to be right before it goes into the water.

When I see it sitting on the trailer it has this big boat feel about it.

I can't believe really that it was all in a box :O !

The beam looks so wide I'm really pleased as it will have a lot more leg room than my last sib.

And the more I look I think the hull design has been developed from a li lo / airbed .

Very clever too as this will break up the resistance of the waters surface tension when being pushed forward by the engine.

It feels a lot lighter inflated and much easier to handle and move around.

The paddles were easy to assemble and fit to the boat.

But make sure the spring loaded button protrudes fully out to lock the two halves together.

This goes for all of this type of paddle as the paddle blade could come off.

Small detail but important nevertheless x

[nala]

I'm scratching my head as to what to do with this ???

Bit like a Rubik's cube challenge.

Has anyone fitted launch wheels to an Excel boat ?

I need to fit these launch wheels, which are listed in their Excel accessories section.

Don't want to butcher anything.

[nala]

I feel theres not a lot of clearance between the tyre and hull/underside.

Think they will definately rub when wheeling it and I don't want that to happen.

And they'll only successfully fit one way, that's with the wheel vertically stored outside the transom and tucked under the hull when down.

Or will I have to mod the legs by extending them ???

Ideas, comments and advice greatly recieved

[nala]

The easiest way of doing it is to place your sib on a stand or trolley type affair, try and wedge/clamp the launch wheels in place and find the best mounting area for them where they don’t foul the outboard when upright - check outboard lock to lock.
Ensure you have the ground/boat clearance you need.

Mark the mounting area with pencil once you’ve achieved the correct position.

I then used very small self tappers with washers to mount them just to double check it was all perfect before I drilled through the transom...

Someone may well have pictures of the stages, I’ll try and find some of mine.

Martin

[Paul]

they'll only successfully fit one way, that's with the wheel vertically stored outside the transom and tucked under the hull when down.

Yes, that is the correct orientation.
This is the 'up' position

Unknown.jpg (9.31 KiB) Viewed 4371 times

and they'll be under, forward of the transom in the 'down' position

[nala]

Thanks Martin,
Much appreciated advice:)

I am toying with the idea now of extending the stub axle end of the leg ???

Think 200mm will suffice.

Either an internal stainless steel square sleeve or external whichever size is available .

Then having it s/s welded.

[Martin]

If you extend the stub axle you’ll have to mount the wheels further inwards from the tubes if the wheels are hinged down?
Otherwise you’ll not be able to drop them to the downward position. If that is the case you may foul the outboard on either lock?

Measure 20 times, cut once lol

[Martin]

Have a little read of this buddy, it may help you ?
http://f-ribsandsibs.com/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=2107