AJ's SR4 refurb - Page 3

AJ. · 20 August 2015, 17:33

The fuel tank came with 4 brackets which were Sika flexed to the floor. There is no movement as the fuel tank is butted up to the front of the console and with the brackets in place they touch the side of the console.

Behind the fuel tank the battery box was then sika flexed to the floor again this is a tight fit in the console so meant I did not need to look at stronger ways to fasten to the deck.

AJ. · 20 August 2015, 17:35

The steering, throttle, gear cables and control box loom were then pulled through the console and spiral wrapped.

The marine fuel pipe for the tank and breather pipe to the fuel filler cap were installed.

The console was then Sika flexed down and the 30 odd self tappers screwed in place and with more Sika!

AJ. · 20 August 2015, 17:37

I used a stainless midget vent which I turned upside down as a way to hide the hole I made for the GPS cables. This was then filled with Sika and moulded to leave a flush finish

AJ. · 20 August 2015, 17:39

Next was the wiring and trying to follow the control box instructions for wiring in the gauges was not easy and took a while. All the wires were then spiral wrapped to keep it tidy and to stop any wires getting snagged.

Once the gauges appeared to be working they were sealed in place with marine silicone and the gauge brackets tightened up.
One of the carling switches I used to control the gauge lights, unfortunately the hour gauge does not come with a back light but the rest looks good

AJ. · 20 August 2015, 17:41

Control box was then bolted in place and control cables installed and again spiral wrapped to keep it tidy.

seat base was fitted, seat frame and back rest

AJ. · 20 August 2015, 17:44

The boat was finally completed on the 3rd of January 2015 at midnight. Ready for the Ribnet Nacho run the following day. I had started it on muffs and had to make a few adjustments to the gear selector and throttle on the engine but hoped for the best on the day.

AJ. · 20 August 2015, 17:47

Apart from an electric issue on the day of the Nacho run where it conked out after covering 40 miles it had been brilliant and great fun.

The boat has now done 405 miles and after experimenting with a few props the first a spitfire prop which is great for rough weather, bites into the corners and gets it up on the plane like a scalded cat! I have another 3 blade 17 pitch prop for fine weather which at the weekend saw 36knts on the GPS for a split second!

AJ. · 20 August 2015, 17:51

I still have some more plans, the upholstery will be getting replaced with thicker foam, it will be in black upholstery but with orange piping.

I am also contemplating with an a frame but the boat is so nicely balanced with the light weight engine it may upset the ride.

Special thanks goes to MattH who sourced the boat and helped with the refurb and those of you on Ribnet who have posted up your rebuilds that I have used for ideas and knowledge.

I hope you have enjoyed the thread.

AJ.

matt h · 20 August 2015, 17:52

Awesome build dude, good fun. some pics for the library! Its very fast and superbly balanced as the engine is extremely light and the fuel tank is ideally situated. Never chine walks at all even at 35 knots range.A superb Rib dude and well done!

1eyedjim · 20 August 2015, 17:58

Looks ace. Done a lot quicker than my current build lol

kerny · 20 August 2015, 18:04

Top job AJ. looks great

:thumbup:

Chris Caton · 20 August 2015, 20:05

that's a cracking SR4 AJ, and a really good build thread n pics

whisper · 20 August 2015, 20:07

Looks the bollards dude! Well done

whackywoody · 20 August 2015, 20:50

Love a good build thread and looks a cracking boat. Well done and hope you enjoy the boat

ShinyShoe · 20 August 2015, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ.

I am sure many of you do not want to read another SR4 refurb but this will be the one and only boat refurb from me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by whackywoody

Love a good build thread and looks a cracking boat. Well done and hope you enjoy the boat

I suspect there are at least as many who do want to read one as don't. If people don't wanna read they can move on... Those who do want to read need it shared so keep them coming...

Quote:

So winding back to August 2014, I got married and for a wedding present Mrs AJ had been collaborating with MattH and PeterM asking them to find her a SR4.

NICE! Where did you find this Lass? Does she have a twin sister?

Quote:

So here it is when I first got it after giving it a good wash and cleaning the tubes up.

At first glance I thought it was the finished pictures. Thats a tidy starting point... ...your misses done well.

Quote:

then going on honeymoon where I read through every SR4 rebuild thread on Ribnet for inspiration

Err... you do know thats not what you are meant to do on honeymoon?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ.

Next job was the ply wood on the back on the transom <snip>
I bought some West systems epoxy resin which is really nice to work with and added three coats to the marine ply for protection

Have you varnished it to protect it from UV? Epoxy is not UV stable naturally...

Stuart1975 · 21 August 2015, 09:57

Wow - I hope one day I get an Sr4 to that stage. Love seeing the pics of the work .

HUMBER P4VWL · 22 August 2015, 09:05

Mint. Well done, a lot of elbow grease!

So with the 585 and the 4 being bought to learn about things, will you now be selling one?

You've two very nice boats.

Chris Caton · 22 August 2015, 09:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

Mint. Well done, a lot of elbow grease!

So with the 585 and the 4 being bought to learn about things, will you now be selling one?

You've two very nice boats.

can I hear the sound of a hammer cracking open the kids money boxes HP

AJ. · 22 August 2015, 12:21

Cheers for all the kind comments guys much appreciated

Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

AJ. · 22 August 2015, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

I suspect there are at least as many who do want to read one as don't. If people don't wanna read they can move on... Those who do want to read need it shared so keep them coming...

NICE! Where did you find this Lass? Does she have a twin sister?

At first glance I thought it was the finished pictures. Thats a tidy starting point... ...your misses done well.

Err... you do know thats not what you are meant to do on honeymoon?

Have you varnished it to protect it from UV? Epoxy is not UV stable naturally...

Unfortunately my Mrs doesn't have a sister i'm afraid. She has a brother though

So I don't think thats any good for you. Depends how desperate you are for a SR

I did contemplate the idea of adding varnish to it but it was so glossy aesthetics won. The boat lives in the garage and only goes out for day trips, so has minimal UV contact. Ill see how it goes if I need to replace it no big deal i have spare ply at home so will be cheap enough to replace but i am sure it will last for a good few years yet.