5.4 Searider Ideal power

[ADS]

I ve been looking on the net at a few 5.4 Seariders recently...
What is the ideal power plant, HP, I have seen a few with 75HP 2 strokes, and a few with 90HP's on is the 75HP adequete?
If I took the plunge I would be using the boat for a bit of cruising, towing a few toys, bit of rescue boat duty. I prefer a boat with abit of spare power thats lively, like my current set up.
Finally what sorts of speeds do you get with a 75/90 carbed 2 stroke.

Also what are the views of a 4-stroke on a Searider, too heavy, this one here is cheap:http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/BHG069
but is the 80HP 4 stroke too heavy in peoples opinions, despite it not being over the transom weight.

regards,

Alex

[boatster_sr4]

Hey ADS,

When I took my 5.4 out with its 1996 Johnson 70 2 stroke it gps'd at 36 mph WOT. I figure thats fast enough for most conditions I go in. Hole shot is great too so I don't think 70 is a bad power range. I think 70 is lowest hp recommended by Avon. Of course a 90 2 stroke would be nice too.
Only thing is I'm a bit leery of Johnson/Evinrude reliability. A nice Japanese motor like a Tohatsu or Yamaha would be perfect I think.

I talked to someone who had a 90 hp Honda on his 5.4 and he said it was a bit too heavy as the transom gets washed everytime he stops.

Boatster

[Nasher]

Alex

Hi. Give Davybuoy a PM. If he doesn't answer, PM me and I'll call him.

He has a 5.4 SR and has had various engines on it over the years.

He will tell you the 90HP(I think) Tohatsu EFI he has on it at the moment is the best ever. Two up I think he gets over 40 Knots out of it and he's not started playing with props yet.

Nasher

[ADS]

Originally Posted by Nasher

Alex

Hi. Give Davybuoy a PM. If he doesn't answer, PM me and I'll call him.

He has a 5.4 SR and has had various engines on it over the years.

He will tell you the 90HP(I think) Tohatsu EFI he has on it at the moment is the best ever. Two up I think he gets over 40 Knots out of it and he's not started playing with props yet.

Nasher

Cheers for your help Boatster.
Cheers Nasher will do, a 90 TLDI or a 90 ETEC/ 90 Opti would make a very very nice boat but a bit out of my price range I fear. Currently thinking 90HP two stroke, I would like to nudge 40 knots ideally.

regards,

Alex

[Bigmuz7]

Agree , 90 is the mark 110 tops, had 135 on a 5.8 but it was too much, chine walking came as standard

[John Kennett]

Yamaha 90 would be good. You should be able to pick one up at a decent price and they have a reputation for reliability. A 70 would probably be fine too.

John

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Yamaha 90 would be good. You should be able to pick one up at a decent price and they have a reputation for reliability. A 70 would probably be fine too.

John

I am with the boss on this one,

[ADS]

Agree JK, RW, I ve allways had a soft spot for the 3 pot Yamaha 2 strokes so Im on the look out for an SR5.4 and ideally 90 Yamaha. Unfortunatly, the one here has been sold
Avon Searider 5.4 - Yamaha 90hp - £4,500

Alans says can you take it off JK!

Cheers for the help guys,

Alex

[dctucker]

I've got an old (1980) 4 cyl Merc 2 stroke 80 on my 5.4. Plenty of grunt, with a slightly oversized diameter 3 blade SS 21" prop. Great hole shot, and enough top speed to chine walk when lightly loaded. Don't know what it weighs, somewhere around 135 kg or a bit more is my best guess. I sometimes get some wash over the transom in bigger seas, while stopped.

I think this may be 80 HP measured at the flywheel, not propshaft as newer motors are? Unless you're running heavily loaded or frequently towing riders (or boats), I think a 75 HP is probably enough for a 5.4. I'm able to get a 1400 kg J/24 sailboat (+4 crew) planing under tow with the 80 HP and the prop I've got. That's the only time I wish I had a 90. Fortunately, my wife is now sailing a 280 kg boat, so towing a J or a Sonar will be more rare. No need to look for a bigger engine!

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by ADS

Alans says can you take it off JK!

I have now. Thought I'd done it ages ago, sorry for any wild goose chasing!

John