3m SIB - current recommendations

[dartmoor]

Hi,

Looking for some owner recommendations, or avoid warnings! I am after a 3m inflatable that has a decent inflatable keel so that one up it will plane with my 8hp two stroke. I have been thinking of the Honwave, but the T30 seems excessively heavy due to the aluminium floor. Any views on the T27 or T32? And there are mixed reports on quality issues with the Honwave, which I thought was a premium brand...??

Other requirements - comfortably take 3 adults. Can fit transom wheels. Can be put in and out or a rack single handed.

Many thanks in expecation

 

[Graham376]

We're happy with the Arimar Classic 2.7 we've had for a couple of years now. Planes 2 up + shopping with 9.8 outboard. Fitted wheels to transom. ARIMAR Folding Tender <br> CLASSIC

 

[Hot Property]

Hi,

Looking for some owner recommendations, or avoid warnings! I am after a 3m inflatable that has a decent inflatable keel so that one up it will plane with my 8hp two stroke. I have been thinking of the Honwave, but the T30 seems excessively heavy due to the aluminium floor. Any views on the T27 or T32? And there are mixed reports on quality issues with the Honwave, which I thought was a premium brand...??

Other requirements - comfortably take 3 adults. Can fit transom wheels. Can be put in and out or a rack single handed.

Many thanks in expecation

I had a honwave T32 with the V floor. A cracking boat.

I used an 8 hp Suzuki 4 stroke twin on it and also a mariner 15 efi.

About 14 knots with a 8 hp and nearer 20 with the 15.
Your 8 hp will be lighter so better performance..

 

[xyachtdave]

I’ve had both the T27 and T32, both are heavy and there’s little chance of it fitting into the bag it’s supplied with.

The 3.2 with a 5 hp engine was really stable with 3 people plus luggage, obviously if you want more speed you’ll need more horsepower.

You can’t stand the 2.7 upright in a rack as the oars stick out further than the transom and the end of the tubes.

Dinghy wheels are available but because of the extra floatation for larger engines you have to buy the curved Honda ones, about £200 a pair.

The v floor stayed inflated for a while but did need topping up occasionally.

 

[dunedin]

We bought a Waveline 2.7m after looking at various brands, including Honwave - which looked expensive and inferior in some design details. Been very happy, though some bits starting to suffer UV stickiness after being left for 7 months a year on the davits

 

[seumask]

We have used excel inflatables for many years and I recommend them as well made we had a Volante 290 with the inflatable keel under the inflatable floor but these days I would consider the Explorer with the inflatable drop stich floors arranged in a V. Each has it pros and cons.

EXCEL Explorer Inflatable Boats

 

[Milgrip]

Same here regarding Excel inflatables. Had our SD330 with air floor and inflatable keel for more than 13yrs, still going strong and looks as new.

 

[creeks]

Ask the question on the Ribnet forum - lots of sib users on there.

 

[Ribtecer]

I have a mint Avon 310 with a wooden floor and an inflatable keel, powered by a Tohatsu 9.8 2 stroke. It flies along.

It is a bit of a faff to put together on board, piece of cake on flat ground or a pontoon.

I also have a trailer for it as like to use it for exploring rivers etc. Been from Hamble to Cowes in it plenty of times.

They often come up on Ebay.

 

[yotter]

We are very happy with our Zodiac 285 V floor, very stable at speed, good quality, still like new at 12ish years, but pricey at circa £1300, PVC also so quite heavy, 35kg empty. Recommend betting solid wheels, how d I know!