Some practical questions about my new searider

[yellowmitch]

Bonjour,

I have just taken delivery of my new (to me) searider 5.4 with Brand new e-tec 90 and I reckon it's a nice job!

I am going tomorrow to have an a-frame manufactured at a local engineering place and want to know the best way to construct this and make it fold (single a frame with nav lights, marker lights and vhf aerial)?

Next, I want to fit a little bilge pump. What should I go for, how should I fit it? AND could I also use it along with a tank of fresh water for engine flushing?

E-tec questions -

How often should I check the oil?
Is XD100 my best option?
What should the torque on the main prop nut be? Feels a little loose
Can I leave the screw in flushing hose connector permanently attached?
Should I run the engine whilst flushing?
Any thing else I should know?

Searider questions -

Can I bolt stuff to the hull?
What is best tube cleaner / maintenance cleaner?
Can I and should I anti-foul the hull?
How best do I clean the flooding hull?

I am sure there is more but hey!

[simmons0]

Wow a lot of questions, i'll have a crack at a few.

Folding A-frame - Seems to a be a real rarity, i've only ever seen 1 or 2 which is crazy as so many people have problems with height of garages and things. Us included. Just make sure are the joint that its locked in tight when its up or the rattling on every wave will drive you mad.
You might have some sort of GPS receiver to go up there too, and although they are of limited real use, I'm fairly sure you are supposed to have a radar reflector as well.

Prop Nut - we do ours up as tight as we can with a regular floating prop wrench.

If your keeping the boat on the water for long periods then i'd antifoul. Like a month or 2 at a time. But if you can pull it out and clean it every week or 2 then you'd probably be alright.

Harry

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by yellowmitch

Bonjour,

I have just taken delivery of my new (to me) searider 5.4 with Brand new e-tec 90 and I reckon it's a nice job!

I am going tomorrow to have an a-frame manufactured at a local engineering place and want to know the best way to construct this and make it fold (single a frame with nav lights, marker lights and vhf aerial)?

If you want it to fold you might be better off with an ex military a-frame that slots in and can be removed. It'll be a lot cheaper too.
If you're getting one made it'll probably need to be made in A4 or 316 stainless (expensive but won't ever rust unlike A2 grade). Make sure you can mount the steaming light high enough compared to the nav lights and you mount your VHF ariel as high as possible.

Originally Posted by yellowmitch

Next, I want to fit a little bilge pump. What should I go for, how should I fit it? AND could I also use it along with a tank of fresh water for engine flushing?

If you've got elephants trunks then a rule 360 with a float switch would be enough to remove a buildup of rain/spray. If you don't have a trunk then go for at least 1000 gallons per hour.
You possibly could use a small pump for flushing if the engine doesn't need to be run while flushing but I doubt a small bilge pump could flow enough water otherwise. A hose is probably easier.

Originally Posted by yellowmitch

Searider questions -

Can I bolt stuff to the hull?
What is best tube cleaner / maintenance cleaner?
Can I and should I anti-foul the hull?
How best do I clean the flooding hull?

I am sure there is more but hey!

1) Assuming you mean inside then yes, just make sure you thoroughly seal the holes with sikaflex so there's NO possiblity of water getting in to the core.
2) Search 'tube cleaner' on the forums. You'll find a lot of answers.
3)If you're not leaving it in the water don't antifoul it. If you are leaving it in the water but are willing to scrub it clean every few weeks then don't bother.
Otherwise, antifoul it.
4) You shouldn't need to-nothing seems to grow in them.

[Ribshop]

You may find our web site useful; there are lots of products available online including cleaning products as well as information and advice.

http://www.rib-shop.com

[Rogue Wave]

when you say bolt stuff to the hull.

do you mean screw or do you mean bolt through.

either way make sure you don't put holes in the topside of the flooding void by mistake

[yellowmitch]

Yeah,

I had meant put a few u bolts on top side of the hull to strap and bungee stuff to, but i reckon i might scratch that idea now.

Seems dumb!

i do wanna maximise my storage and minimize the movement of stuff though.

Any good cost effective ideas?

[psychopic]

build / buy a locker to attach to the deck, will also double up as a seat.....

[yellowmitch]

That was the plan.

How and where?

[Nos4r2]

Mine's got a small self-draining anchor locker which Matt H built. It's really useful.

[psychopic]

Build one: (gives you the opportunity to get exactly what you want) 2 options. 1 - make a mould and apply gel coat / fibreglass (a pain unless you've done it before) 2 - build one from marine ply and apply flow coat / paint to the outside and job done. prob the easiest way to do a DIY job. (i'm almost completeing my anchor locker project built using option 2, i've taken lots or photos and will be posting a "how to" thread on here shortly) There is also another post somewhere of somebody doing a build on this forum, i think under the gallery section.

Buy one: http://www.leewaycomposites.co.uk/ or http://www.outhill.com/ there are more i'm sure

Improvise: Ice chest (cool box), army surplus stores oftern have large boxes, plastic crates....etc

Depends on your budget, DIY skill, if you can be arsed to build one youself, exactly what you would like it to look like etc.....

You going to post a photo of your new boat? The likelyhood is that someone on here has done / is doing something similar to you

hope that helps......