Avon Searider Flooding Hull Launch/Recovery

philstoker · 12 February 2006, 13:02

Following advice from members, on purchasing an Avon Searider 4m, I sealed the hull which all worked well. Having read more forums on the site i have decided to unblock the hull for this season. However one thing concerns me, does an unblocked hull make launching and recovery any more difficult? I have just sold my Landrover Discovery which made short work of launch and recovery and i purchased a Renult Scenic so I need to know if there is any differece! Thanks !

Jono Garton · 12 February 2006, 13:10

Hi Phil

Shouldnt make any odds, you could recover a 4m sea rider with a mini. I think it the correct choice to leave it unblocked witha 55hp on the back.

Regards

Jono

ADS · 12 February 2006, 13:15

On the shallow slip way I use, I very rarely pull my 4m out with the car, its light enough for two people to do by hand. Plus its cheaper to walk it out than use the car, bloody Christchurch Council!

Should go well with a 55HP on it, best of luck with it,

Alex

Nos4r2 · 12 February 2006, 18:25

Ditto to what ADS said about shallow angled slipways.

If you're worried about recovery you can always use a long rope and do it very slowly-I've done that on a couple of occasions so the car doesn't have to contend with a slippery steep slipway. Front wheel drives aren't much use then.

Paul · 12 February 2006, 20:12

I have launched mine over a beach with a 1 litre ford fiesta with no problems in the past. The hull is not blocked. I think that it drains as it is winched onto the trailer.

Rogue Wave · 12 February 2006, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by philstoker

Having read more forums on the site i have decided to unblock the hull for this season. !

good move, weight not an issue it falls out of the back as soon as the transom is out of the water.

I used to pull a 4.7 out with an SRI so I don't think you'll have a problem. I agree a rope is the right method

philstoker · 20 February 2006, 09:02

thanks for all the great advice! ive just got a bit more work to do on her and wait for the weather to get better and ill let you know how i get on , thanks again, phil

George8910 · 20 February 2006, 10:56

The only time I have had a problem recovering with the flooding hull was over mud when very shallow - clearly as the water adds ballast it needed a little more depth to float - not a problem on any decent slip though

Jon penrith · 20 February 2006, 18:20

Hi,I currently have 2x 4mtr sea riders.One with blocked hull one without.One has 55hp engine other 40hp.Personally I have found the following.When launching/recovering on a shallow slip,beach etc.If the hull is blocked then the trailer doesnt have to be put so far into the water for recovery as its much higher in the water & can come closer in when recovering.If like me you are mostly in a wetsuit when launching/recovering then this is not so much a problem.
The main advantages for blocking the hull are the fact that the transom top is very close to the water with the weight of a 40 or 50hp outboard.I found I would take in a lot of water sloshing over the back when the hull was flooded.If its a little rough then you will have the revs down & find the hull floods a bit which sits the baot lower down result...more water in the boat.The fact that Avon dont do a flooding hull anymore speaks volumes.