? for 5.4mR Searider Owners -Past & Present

dctucker · 07 December 2006, 13:52

Three quick questions -

What size outboard do/did you run on your 5.4mR Searider?

Are/were you happy with that amount of power?

What do you think is the optimal HP?

ribraff · 07 December 2006, 17:02

I had a couple of these and i think optimum is either 90 or 75, my first one ran a 75 mariner with an 18" stainless prop, it was great, the latest one has the 65 suzi 2 stroke on it and is extremely well balanced, these hulls do tend to chinewalk at higher speeds as my first one did but was easily cured by putting some weight forward.
I hope this helps.

matt h · 07 December 2006, 19:20

putting a yam 85 two stroke on mine, let you know what it goes like next week!! just finished restoring it !!

Neil Harvey · 07 December 2006, 19:51

yam 90 on mine, and I'm glad to have the power.
36kn WOT 2 up and not much fuel, but does start to chine walk as ribraff said.

would not want less though. Friend had a 60 and found iit underpowered. So changed to a 90 and well chuffed.

DM · 07 December 2006, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by dctucker

What size outboard do/did you run on your 5.4mR Searider?

115hp Yamaha V4.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dctucker

Are/were you happy with that amount of power?

I'd rather have had the Yamaha 130hp V4

Quote:

Originally Posted by dctucker

What do you think is the optimal HP?

115 Yamaha V4.

40+knots and no chine walking possibly because the fuel tank was mid mounted, plenty of anchor/chain up front, no heavy A frame on the back and the engine is a good match for the rib.

DM

Searider · 07 December 2006, 22:22

90hp Mariner 2 stroke.

Was very happy with it. Made a shade under 40kts. Chine walked a bit above about 35knots.

Was probably a bit more power that I "needed" but think that 90hp was about right.

Biggles · 07 December 2006, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmanning

115hp Yamaha V4.

DM

Awesome. That rig should be on Top Gear....................

dctucker · 07 December 2006, 23:12

So, 90 is the popular choice from this small sample. I'm finally going to order a new E-TEC next week, still trying (unsuccessfully!) to convince myself that I should save $1400 USD and buy the 75 instead of the 90. Must do a bit more shopping around tomorrow!

David, 130 is a bit over the top, even for me!

Ordering the 90 over the 75 is going to annoy my wife enough! If I can narrow the price gap a bit more...

Biggles · 07 December 2006, 23:22

DC I've used the 75 HP Mariner 2 stroke on a 5.4 and I was satisfied. Speed wise was the same as my 4m SR with a 50 on the back, but the boat was more sea worthy.

Don't write off the 75 its a good engine on that boat. Not the fastest but allows you to do everything you want with a 5.4.

Biggles · 07 December 2006, 23:23

Certainly I would have no qualms about putting a brand new 75 on the back of a 5.4 searider.

dctucker · 07 December 2006, 23:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

DC I've used the 75 HP Mariner 2 stroke on a 5.4 and I was satisfied. Speed wise was the same as my 4m SR with a 50 on the back, but the boat was more sea worthy.

Don't write off the 75 its a good engine on that boat. Not the fastest but allows you to do everything you want with a 5.4.

A new 75 will be about the same as the 26 year old 80 that's hanging back there now. It's almost always enough power, but there have been plenty times when I felt the boat was clearly capable of handling more. Sometimes in flat water, but particularly while towing sailboats, which is a major use of the boat. It'll be enough, but will I kick myself for not spending the extra, when I'm already spending so much??

I think the answer is yes!

DM running a 115 and wanting more just pushes my button even more.

boatster_sr4 · 08 December 2006, 05:32

For me I'd look at the fuel economy between a 90 and 70. I've got a 70 hp Johnson 2stroke and its plenty of power but I don't tow sailboats. A 90 would be nice if I could get the same fuel economy plus the extra power when its needed. Otherwise most of the time I'm trying to run at the most fuel economical range. For me its mostly about fuel economy short of buying a 4 stroke for now

dctucker · 08 December 2006, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatster_sr4

For me I'd look at the fuel economy between a 90 and 70. I've got a 70 hp Johnson 2stroke and its plenty of power but I don't tow sailboats. A 90 would be nice if I could get the same fuel economy plus the extra power when its needed. Otherwise most of the time I'm trying to run at the most fuel economical range. For me its mostly about fuel economy short of buying a 4 stroke for now

Hence the choice of the direct injected E-TEC two stroke, which is as clean and economical as a 4 stroke (some would argue more so), at a substantial weight savings.

ANY new tech motor (DI 2 or 4 stroke) is going to be one hell of a lot more economical than your old 70 or my old 80 carburated guzzlers! Most reports I've read indicate increased cruising range of 50% - 70% on a this sort of repower to the E-TEC. I've heard 90 & 150 E-TECs at idle and cruising speed, they're also amazingly quiet in comparison to our old motors, very similar to 4 strokes.

Most of my use is idling around, following sailboats upwind, then high displacement or low planing speed following them downwind, with occasional relatively brief high speed blasts, setting race marks and such. I'd go through 7-10 gallons/day doing this with the old Merc. I expect to see that drop to 3-5 gallons/day.

I want the power to be able to tow a heavy keelboat (Sonar or J/24, ~2500-3000 lb) at planing speed, or in case of a need for high speed emergency response. I've also had to do high speed mid-distance runs for spare parts, where speed is hugely important

The E-TEC 75 and 90 are the same motor, but for a different ECU and intake, as far as I've been able to discern. Other than at WOT, the should be equally economical.

Nos4r2 · 09 December 2006, 07:58

Do I remember someone saying that 5.4's used to be rated up to 115hp but Avon downrated them?

dctucker · 09 December 2006, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Do I remember someone saying that 5.4's used to be rated up to 115hp but Avon downrated them?

I thought that was the other way around?? Let's not open that can of worms in my mind please! I'm placing the order this Friday, come hell or high water. Boat needs to be ready to roll to Florida on 11 January.

Lets go boating · 11 December 2006, 22:13

i've got a 75 4/ on mine.

MikeCC · 11 December 2006, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmanning

115hp Yamaha V4.
I'd rather have had the Yamaha 130hp V4

40+knots and no chine walking possibly because the fuel tank was mid mounted, plenty of anchor/chain up front, no heavy A frame on the back and the engine is a good match for the rib.
DM

. . . and still going! Not quite 40+ but high 30s. Fuel consumption is a bit strong though.

As David says, with the 115 you do need to keep it balanced with weight up front and also best with sealed hull. It can sit very low at the back without that.

A sound 90 is a good compromise and the 30Kg or so weight saving will help.

MikeCC · 11 December 2006, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Do I remember someone saying that 5.4's used to be rated up to 115hp but Avon downrated them?

I believe current rating is 90 but the rating was also based on the weight of the engine, so the Yam 115 V4 just scraped in.

Jon Adlard · 12 December 2006, 06:13

I don't think weight will be an issue, I had twin Evenrude 55s Commercials on mine.
I sealed the hull and took a lot of time setting up the height. I filled the transome recesss with hardwood and stainless dowels, glassed over and put stainless sheeting over the lot.
It went very well and didn't chine walk.
Have fun
Jon