SR4 Restoration

[alexmcrobbie]

Hi guys,

Newbie to Ribnet so go easy... I've got a pretty mammoth winter project which is to completely restore my sailing club's 1989 Avon SR4. Years of being bashed about and dragged up and down a sandy beach have taken their toll on the old girl, the base of the transom around the flood hole has worn through, as has the leading edge of the hull at the bow. Apart from that the underside of the hull has many deep scratches (many through to glass). The plan is to completely restore the hull to an "as new" finish in time for its brand new engine getting fitted early march (Yam 30 EFI).

It's not all doom and gloom though. Since the RIB has lived in a garage all of its life and is always washed down after use the glass is all very solid and dry - no osmosis to be found on this old boat.

Anyways, I'll be posting loads of pictures of every stage of the restoration and hopefully getting some help from all you Searider experts out there.

Alex

[alexmcrobbie]

Some photos to show the initial condition of the hull. Here's hoping I make it better rather than worse...

[captnjack]

Honestly if the tubes are in decent shape and you don't mind sandpaper work that shouldn't be too bad. Be greatful you can flip her over and work on a basically level surface instead of sideways or upside down!

[alexmcrobbie]

Cheers! Was also wondering if anyone knew the colour of gelcoat used on Avon's of this age (1989). It's a sort of light creamy beige, there seems to be plenty of info on the orange coloured SR's but not much on this type. If anyone thinks they could shed some light on this one it would be much appreciated,

Cheers, Alex

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by alexmcrobbie

Cheers! Was also wondering if anyone knew the colour of gelcoat used on Avon's of this age (1989). It's a sort of light creamy beige, there seems to be plenty of info on the orange coloured SR's but not much on this type. If anyone thinks they could shed some light on this one it would be much appreciated,

Cheers, Alex

Hi Alex, I wouldn't be too fussy over colour match. This boat is getting a mullering, I'd glass it up, fill, sand and roller apply cream flocoat. That way it's not the end of the World when it comes in looking the same next season.

[Jizm]

Keep the pics coming.

[captnjack]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Hi Alex, I wouldn't be too fussy over colour match. This boat is getting a mullering, I'd glass it up, fill, sand and roller apply cream flocoat. That way it's not the end of the World when it comes in looking the same next season.

Agree you're never going to color match faded gel coat from eons ago. Just repaint the whole dealio after you're done patching.

[PeterM]

Maybe fit a keel guard strip to stop it ending up the same?

[Downhilldai]

The hull colour was known as 'Ivory'. Quite rare in a rescue version.

Good luck with the refurb.

[whisper]

Hi, I found the right colour for my orange SR4, it turned out to be a llewellyn-ryland colour and looking at the chart they do have an ivory colour:

:: Llewellyn Ryland :: Bringing Colour to Life ::

If you want to see my SR4 restoration, have a look here:

Whisper’s Searider Project