Searider 4.7 refurb

[matt h]

Some time ago I managed to get hold of the above as they renowned to be the "Holy Grail" of SR.s and wanted to make it the very best SR 4.7 whilst keeping it relatively original.
So here are some earlier pics before I started.
The Suzuki 50 wasn't powerful enough so that help fund the replacement

[matt h]

Overall, it was in amazing condition throughout. The hull was almost unmarked and the engine had only done less than 100 hours so was nearly mint .An ideal to swap out!

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by matt h

Overall it was in amazing condition. Just the Rubbing strakes and top lifeline guide x2 that needed replacing

Yep a lucky find for sure!...Best condition Mily Searider I've seen certainly

[matt h]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Yep a lucky find for sure!...Best condition Mily Searider I've seen certainly

Ta luv. Give you tenner later on!!

[whisper]

Sweet rider

[matt h]

First job after I'd jizzed all over it, was to Jizz over it again..strip it down
Underneath all the grime on the transom is very original and no stress marks at all.
The floor came up very well. It really just needed new Anti Slip coating so sanded the existing off, two thin coats of Interdeck.
In the meantime I had prepared some builders sand, washing it, Sieved it.wash it again ,sand in saucepan on the cooker to completely dry it and then evenly spread it over and left to dry for a few hours in a warm garage.
The top coat was International Industrial Garage floor paint as this would give me the durability and texture that I was looking for and I could find nothing on the market that comes close to this stuff on the marine shelves.

[matt h]

Next Job; get it down to Henshaws for the toobs to be refurbished whilst I get on with the Consol which Is a different hybrid version.Its raised and more comfortable than the original low versions.The three part steering wheel is original and in great order so that will remain.
The Original Big T Helm was in a corrosive mess so spent a few hours dealing with that which then latterly I replaced with Hydraulic.
Chose a Garmin 50 DV Down Vu Sonar with as and Garmin 100i Fixed VHF from BHG Marine who beat the best SBS show prices.Also located an Original Sestral compass almost unused!!

[matt h]

Phone call from Chris @ Henshaws::: is that the Sear-rider Rib nobber? yer boats ready to collect.!

New Strakes.
New Lifelines with the ropes in a more tensioned version than the old way of letting them hang down.
Two new pockets to copy original but with modern buckles
Two Avon badges
4 new Quarter panels

[matt h]

hmm, better do some work

[whisper]

Awesome!!!

[Chris Caton]

looks great Matt

[matt h]

Thanks Chris..
Ok back to it. The standard Aframe is typcally very tall so had 24 inches taken out and re joined ... Anchor light brackets taken off and a different more user friendy design was made to suit the Led Nav light and Ariel.. it was then Powder coated in Battleship Grey.
New A-frame locating Brackets purchased and fitted

[matt h]

Next job was the wooden engine spacer which was in almost perfect condition but lacking in newness! , taken off, cleaned and re sealed with 5 coats of yacht varnish.
A-frame rewired to utilize the original plug n socket idea for A Frame removal n stuff.

[Squid Boat]

Lookin great mate.

Cheers, Squid

[matt h]

Next Bit. Clean out the fuel tank area. Fairy Power spray did the job..
Nav lights tested and worked.. Used Hella Marine units... foooking how much!!

[Jeff]

Looks fantastic so far. Hard work I suspect
jeff

[matt h]

Hi Jeff.. Yeh the smallest things take ages to sort and in limited space you have to be a gymnast and that I'm defiantly not!! Too much beer n pizza!!

Engine being advertised and no movement.. so on Ebay it goes.. 2 hours later its sold. yippeee.. Now engine shopping I go. Still wanting to go down the Yamaha 2 stroke route for lightness and reliability etc etc ..Very low availability until one pops up at Bill Highman Marine,Spoke to Simon who was very helpful and a deal was struck on a 2006 Yam 75 two stroke..
I felt the deal was a good one and was looking forward to its delivery UNTIL I noticed it was a pre-mix version.. aaaagh noooo.My Fault totally, I missed the oil tank in the pics..
I explained to Simon (post deal) that this was not what I'm looking for and I would need to back out. He offered me some other options which were all ok but NOT what i really wanted.
I have to say my initial experience with Simon was very good.
Top choice was a Yam F70 four stroke due to being the same weight as the Yam 75 two stroke etc etc but sooo bloody expensive

Did have some interesting prices offered tho.Inc delivery. Mariner 2014 New 60 EFI £5250
Merc £5500
Yam 60 New £6750
Yam 70 new £7500
Honda 60 New £5825.
Just didn't find any nearly new lightweight engines which kept me re focusing on the new Yam.
The usual suspects. Whisper /Maximus /Pete /AJ wanted me to go for a 60 just so I couldn't outpace them!! Bad people!!

[matt h]

Got rid of the Teleflex Big T helm and splashed the cash on a Admiral sport system with Side mount ram. Although I have had the Baystar and Seastar system before ,I wanted something different and a premium system with less turns to lock. The Baystar is 5 turns or something like that and the Admiral Hydrive is 3.2 and a bigger footprint on the dash...Also the steering ram is very slim and the hydraulic pipes don't move so looking at the quality of the two helped me make that decision and they guys in Salisbury were very helpful.
www.southerncrossmarine.co.uk


Consol finished minus main loom

[Chris Caton]

that fairy power spray does the business, must try it in the kitchen at some point, or better still I'll buy Jayne a bottle for Xmas

[matt h]

ha ha. they love it. it makes them feel useful and important you know!!

Could not wait any more. Ordered the Yam!