searider 5.4m

[doralmark]

Hi everyone

Im new to the site so bear with me if I make any mistakes (senior moments), I have been looking at the above mentioned rib which I want to use for skiing boarding etc.it looks a bit on the heavy side but in good condition also has a Mercury 75 elpto 2 stroke on it, I know very little about ribs so any advice would be appreciated.

[Downhilldai]

The one currently on ebay for £5k?

[Knot Yet]

Welcome Doralmark to RIBnet - you will find an incredible amount of info here on every possible aspect of RIBs and Ribbing and some very helpful and friendly people

As for the Searider - I asked the same question in September of last year and it was well recommended and I'm now the proud owner of our own 5.4m Searider rib and loving every minute of it.

The special hull means that when stationary the RIB is much more stable than some, it's ageless pedigree means they are hard to find in good nick but hold their residual value well once you do get a good one and the RIB is safe, exciting and a huge amount of fun.

We've had some interesting "novice" times in ours (read cockups!!) and the RIB has never once felt unsafe or that we were in peril due to our lack of experience - I couldn't have asked for more from my first RIB

In a nut I'd say find a goodie and learn with it - you can always get a faster, lighter and more expensive one as and when you are ready safe in the knowledge you'd have lost no pennies with the right Searider buy.

Look for a good quality engine - Yamaha are rated highly on here, 90hp seems to be preferred but we are more than delighted with our 75hp, good quality transom, sound deck and hull and tubes with minimal repair.

Keep looking - we looked at lots before finding our little cracker - they are worth the wait - expect to pay around £4 - £6k for a very good one - to as little as £800 for one that needs loads of work

I'm sure others will be along soon to add, dispute or suggest other things to look for - good luck in finding what you want

J

[ollyit]

good advice above, I'm on my 3rd searider - the one on ebay looks nice

[doralmark]

Hi All

Thanks for the advice, sounds like a good idea I will have a look at it know with added confidence. The rib I am looking at is the one on Ebay, going down in the morning hope its ok. I will let you all know how i get on

Cheers Mark

[Knot Yet]

Good luck Mark - she looks a lovely RIB

[hector]

hi mark
Id have a good look at the brackets mounted on that boat just forward of the consul. They look as if they are right through the hull as there are marks on both sides of the hull in the pictures. They might have been brackets for some kind of ski pole etc in which case they might have stressed the hull quite a bit!

[doralmark]

Yes hector I noticed that myself, 1 at the front 1 at the back both sides, i contacted the seller who tells me they are lifting points and are origional? I will have to check it out in the morning unless anyone can confirm

[HUMBER P4VWL]

check out JSP's Searider for sale, nice console on it. Make an offer.

[hector]

there not original lifting points. whatever they are they may be fine but it kind of puts me off the boat. there isnt much strength in the hull there for any type of bracket esp ones that appear to be bolted through the hull. perhaps someone else may correct me?