Avon Searider 540

[john4tee]

I am finally spending some money on my long suffering Avon 540. There is a Mercury 75 two stroke coming off it and I am considering putting on a new Honda 50 four stroke. Does anyone know if this is enough to get it up on the plane to empty out the double hull? I don't want to be dragging 5 tons of water around with me!
I am not bothered about speed really. I am not one for showing off around the bay. Just the hull problem is all that bothers me

[Tim M]

It’ll plane eventually with a 50 on (the correct prop will help you achieve this more quickly) but it won’t be a particularly exciting ride. I would say a 60 is really the minimum power for a 5.4. Likewise you might struggle to get going with more than a couple of people onboard. You could look at blocking up the flooding hull for improved hole shot. If you’re looking at the sort of budget that required for a new Honda 50, why not get a good used 75?

[InlandAlex]

I spend a large amount of time on a fleet of 7 SR5.4s with Honda BF50s on a large reservoir.

We manage to get 25 knots out of them, and they plane at about 15knots (roughly) so if you don’t require speeds above 25, I think you’ll be fine.

[gjepson]

I've run a fleet of 5.4's with Honda 50's

They plane with 9 small people and myself, providing the conditions are right.

On your own their fine. We had them for working with Young People, so didn't want them to take off too quickly.

I'd go higher 70? for personal use, but a 60 is probably a sensible decision

[Bigplumbs]

If you are used to the 75 I think you will be disappointed with the performance of the 50

[john4tee]

Thank you all very much for your input. Needless to say i have another question. Does anyone know the approximate weight of the Avon 540? There are a few frills added to the carcass but nothing major.
I have to buy a trailer and need to have some idea of spec.
Thank you
John

[InlandAlex]

Avon SR5.4 bare hull weight is 320kg.

If you have an A-frame then that could weigh from 5-30kg depending on how robust it is and/or where it came from. Console/seating weights vary hugely depending on what you have fitted. Then add fuel and engine weight.
.

[john4tee]

Thank you, inland Alex. I have the engine and accessory weights. Just need hull and tubes. Any ideas?