HELLO! LOOKING FOR MY FIRST SIB

[Grahamdavies1989]

Hello everybody!

I have been looking for a SIB for a few months now after almost buying a 16ft speedboat. (And deciding it was a bad idea) So have been looking for a 3.3m-3.6m SIB.

I have came down to the Boatworld 330/360 pro fisher.

fisher - https://boatworld.co.uk/boats/boatworld ... fisher-pro
330 pro - https://boatworld.co.uk/boatworld-330-p ... search=330 pro


Main use will be going up and down the river tyne with my 3 year old. (On the odd occasion the wife too). And the odd trip off the coast hugging the shoreline and maybe a little bit of sea fishing.

The plan I have so far is to buy a new mercury/mariner 6HP 4T with an external fuel tank. The alternative was the Orca 9.8HP (Same price as the mariner 6HP) but would rather get the 5 year warranty.

At this point I am not convinced that the 6HP will be enough power. I want to be able to carry it with relative ease and am not that bothered about planning. However I do not want it to be a struggle to get anywhere too.

I have read the which sib which sib post and have trawled through what I imagine is every post on this forum in hope to find the information I want and still feel a bit lost.


Thanks guys

[Grahamdavies1989]

No advice or helpfulness

[Mitch]

Hi graham,
Sorry to hear no one came back to you on this but that could be because no one knows anything about them, I haven’t come across them before.
Looking at it the price seems ok but how well they’re built I couldn’t say,
It states there’s 8 fasten locks already on the boat for various fixings but check the prices of the rod holders etc, they might be very expensive.
They seem quite heavy with the 330 at 49kgs so are you going to be able to lift that on your own.
Are you blowing up each time as that can be very time consuming.
I don’t know what the tide is like in the Tyne so be careful with only a 6hp, if the tide runs fast that may not be enough, I wouldn’t go to sea in a 6hp, some people do go in a 9.9hp.

[harrison]

Hi Graham,

Yeah agree with @Mitch, difficult to comment on the less well known brands.

Nothing particularly wrong with any of the Boatworld range. Good value for money, typical quality for a generic Chinese built inflatable and sold by a genuine UK bricks and mortar company. Possible downsides would be resale values, warranty period and unknown longevity...and most importantly its err...green.

Engine wise, 10hp would be a good minimum for sea use as a 6hp may well not get you on the plane, even when relatively lightly loaded. However, I wouldn’t recommend going for any of the Orca range motors, despite the attractive price. I assume they are a Chinese copy, probably of a Yamaha, with unknown reliability, short warranty, and definitely very high depreciation. Much better to stick with a motor from one of the big six manufacturers, despite the initial higher cost.

Also worth considering weight wise even the lightest 10hp will be at least 10-12kg heavier than a typical 6hp.

[Grahamdavies1989]

Hello guys thanks for that it is very much appreciated. Was a bit disheartened (more like lonely!) with the little comments after reading so many posts and seeing so many knowledgeable and helpful people on here!

I am reconsidering my options at the moment. There is a used Honwave t35 not too far from me for sale with a 15hp Mercury (looks to be about 2008 ish age although I am by far an expert). Looks in cracking nick too if I am honest and the price is around 1600. The motor looks as new under the top cover. Although I know looks aren’t always important!

I will be inflating/deflating each time and usually on my own so I need to be able to carry on my own. My local slip has good access so I can park up right next to it while I am getting set up. I work weekends too so during the week at the times I’ve been down recently it’s dead quiet with nobody around so thumbs up from that point too.

I know what you mean about the green Harrison haha. Not very fetching I must say!


I am hoping if I get myself a fold up outboard trolley that will fit in the car with the gear should I take it where I need to carry I can just use the trolley for both.

The intention to go fishing is probably not realistic with me having young kids anyway. Will probably be more of a get out for a few hour trip out with the eldest.

[Grahamdavies1989]

The main thing for me is being able to set it up on my own. I am no bodybuilder by a long shot so if the 15hp is going to be unmanageable and the t35 is a two man job to set up I could be scuppered.

It was the original price that was swaying me towards the orcas and boatworld. That shouldn’t be the deciding factor I know!

[Grahamdavies1989]

Forgot to mention. Transom wheels are my first buy when I get one!

[Bigplumbs]

I looked at the Boatworld Sibs at last years Southampton boat show and they were not a patch on the honwaves. The Southampton Show is just around the corner and I would say it is well worth a visit to look what is available.

If setting up on your own I would suggest an air floor sib and get a 2 stroke in the 15 hp size as a 4 stroke is very heavy indeed but it is possible.


Ali floor boats are very good in use but setting one up on your own can be a chore as with use the Ali gets difficult to slot in place.


All that said there is a decent one (Ali floor) for £ 400 new I would recommend that is a very good price to get you started and so cheap if it is not for you you can sell it and move on. It will also go well on a 10 hp which again if 2 stroke is very easily lifetable.

Here is a link

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320cm-Schlau ... 0012.m1985

[Bigplumbs]

You could make and offer on this 15hp and see how you get on. Looks like he also has the honwave for sale

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Mercury ... SwPUVdT904

[Grahamdavies1989]

That is not a bad price at all. Although by the time I’ve added a Honwave on or similar it’ll rack up to the 1500 for the other I have seen thatbis only half hour away. Thank you though!

I think I’m going to stick with the Honwave and just take the plunge. Just need to persuade the wife it is a good idea now! Ha!

I may have to start going to the gym so I can lift the 15hp 4t!