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Post by davemak on Jun 16, 2014 17:04:55 GMT -1
hi all, just bought myself a 3.8m inflatable boat, a zodiac style one. i had a small budget so i have tried to make savings were i can. i was originally looking into a kayak but i didn't fancy myself in one as im a bit of a big lad and can be a bit clumsy sometimes so i went for an inflatable boat. the one i eventually went for was from China (i know, but it seems like a real good boat) which is on route and will be with me in the next two weeks, i have also acquired a 25hp evenrude engine for a bargain price off ebay and just had it serviced. I have managed to get boat and engine for under £1000 so im happy with that, just got a couple of life jackets and an anchor of fleabay next was a fish finder and i went for the Lowrance Elite-4 HDI as this seems to be a good price and i saw a great demo vid of it on youtube. i've put some pictures i have of the boat but they had the manufactures name and website addy right thru them and i didn't want to look like i was an agent for them or anything so ignore the missing black squares. right, so my question. i fish porthdaffach beach a couple of times a year so this is were i plan to be my first trip out (after i have tested it a bit on a lake or canal) so i was hoping for some advice about fishing round anglesea such as good and bad times to fish, dodgy currents to avoid etc. one of my friends who is coming out with me is an expierienced diver so is used to handling these boats but i'd just like to do a bit of research into stuff myself. nice one dave
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Post by ZEBRA on Jun 16, 2014 20:17:28 GMT -1
the boat looks great i like the black colour keep us all informed as to when it arrives there is a lot of new sib anglers on the forum we are going to put a sib section on the main website in about 2 weeks time as well i have seen a few of the chinese sibs and i have to say with my limited experience they look good in fact i got a new one on route to me from china as well will be here this week now get yourself a really good elec pump to blow it up with mes are doing some really nice ones for about £99.00 well worth a look ps welcome to the forum dave
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Post by philpot on Jun 22, 2014 14:58:54 GMT -1
Welcome aboard Dave.
A very interesting hull design, I have never seen the ribbed effect before and would think it offers some protection on launch / landings. I can't advise on areas around Anglesey but wish you well with the boat. One tip, take your time getting her up on the plane because a 25hp will go like stink lifting the bow right up so at first get used to the boat.
Phil
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Post by davemak on Jul 18, 2014 8:48:22 GMT -1
well the boat arrived last week and not had a chance to get out in it yet but we inflated it and marked out the transom for the launch wheels and modded one of the seats to fit the fishfinder underneath along with underseat storage to hold the batteries and cables. i'll get some better pics when we get it out on the water, but its looks and feels great, plenty of room ( it'll easily fish 4 people.) hoping to launch from new brighton early next week and have a little run about with it and double check everything works like it should before we hit anglesea
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Post by philpot on Jul 18, 2014 16:40:17 GMT -1
If you don't mind me asking Dave, what sort of price was the boat. Is the cuddy shelter fixed or removable.
Phil
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Post by ZEBRA on Jul 18, 2014 18:01:51 GMT -1
looks really good
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Post by davemak on Jul 21, 2014 12:16:07 GMT -1
$1074... £629
USD850--boat USD16--bow bag and seat bag USD45--launch wheel USD50--boat cover/shelter USD43--paypal charge USD70--shipping (FOB)
then
£270 - shipping to my door £45(ish) to the taxman
the cuddy/shelter is an extra they custom made for us from a picture we sent off a similar boat. its an inflatable tube with a fixing pole from the front of the boat to the top of the tube, then the cover is attached to the tube with velcro and fastened to the boat with elastic loops.
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Post by davemak on Jul 24, 2014 11:18:32 GMT -1
Well that was an eventful morning out on the mersey testing the sib. Only intended an hour just to check it out, 20 mins pottering about inshore and we decided to kill the engine and see how it would be for drifting while fishing. I was messing with the lowrance while my mate had a cig. 2 mins and about 500 yards later we were on top of the groyne and the engine wouldnt start, so i rowed to safety as i noticed the lifeguard scrambling the jetski, we let him know that we were OK but we were close enough in to Wade of and have a quick chat. He was sound and just gave us a bit of advice, got the engine started and had another 5 mins and then came in. Got a few pics, I'll upload them when i get back home. Hindsight now tells me not to drift in the mersey
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Post by philpot on Jul 24, 2014 13:50:25 GMT -1
I think it is fair to say Dave that we all learn something whenever we go out. Estuaries are dodgy places with very strong currents and demand the best out of you and your gear. It may be worthwhile having the engine checked over because you don't want a dead engine just when you NEED it.
I can strongly recommend Higham Marine in Worsley, Manchester who live and breath outboard engines.
Glad it started again and no real danger but it is good to know the RNLI had their eye on you, always reassuring.
Phil
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Post by davemak on Jul 24, 2014 15:15:46 GMT -1
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Post by ZEBRA on Jul 24, 2014 20:26:23 GMT -1
fantastic photos the boat looks great . have a look at the engine plug if its very sooty and/or wet it might just be adjustment of the new carb
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Post by philpot on Jul 24, 2014 21:17:02 GMT -1
The boat certainly does look good Dave. I am really surprised you have had a problem after Higham's have been involved because they are very good. Silly point, could the air release valve on the fuel tank not been fully wound out causing a fuel feed issue or perhaps the choke set point for restarting because sometimes older engines and for that matter some new engines have their own little ways on starting up. One of my past engines had to have the choke fully on even when the engine is warm, then push in fully the second the engine starts.
Just a thought
Phil
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