Avon SR 5.4 project

GrahamSR5.4 · 29 September 2020, 10:43

Bought my first Searider 5.4 and decided to restore it completely. It was built in the 80s and is still running the original Yamaha 70hp 2 stroke perfectly.

Day 1 down and the engine is off, deck is stripped and ready for sanding

Plan is to coat the deck and hull black and fabricate a custom console + seats

Nos4r2 · 30 September 2020, 06:35

Welcome to Ribnet

Nice project

I don't think that's the original motor, that looks like an ex mil-spec boat (Grey dust and straps on tubes gives it away) that would have had a Merc 75 on it at a guess. Looks to have been refurbed before.

GrahamSR5.4 · 30 September 2020, 08:36

Cheers ! Ah right interesting, just presumed it was as it's a 1988 motor and no sign of the serial plate on the transom. Yeah it's an ex police boat you can still make out the lettering on the tubes which have seen better days !

beamishken · 30 September 2020, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrahamSR5.4

Cheers ! Ah right interesting, just presumed it was as it's a 1988 motor and no sign of the serial plate on the transom. Yeah it's an ex police boat you can still make out the lettering on the tubes which have seen better days !

I think the rubbing strake has been changed too I'm sure it should be flat on a searider

GrahamSR5.4 · 30 September 2020, 12:19

Yeah the strake is new, tubes are painted grey and look terrible so probably end up getting new tubes for it at the end

GrahamSR5.4 · 03 October 2020, 13:39

Day 2 : I got the majority of the deck sanded and fuel tank surrounds removed as one was starting to rot. Will be fitting a bench in it's place to store tanks inside. Another half day of sanding left and it will be ready to flip over and get cracking on the hull !

GrahamSR5.4 · 03 November 2020, 11:29

Update :

Currently waiting on a few seals and bearings to reassemble the lower assembly along with the new water pump kit and housing.

Work carried out on engine so far :

Compression test
Fabricated engine stand
Cleaned carbs + gasket replaced
Thermostat + gasket replaced
Fuel filter cleaned
Spark plugs replaced
Tab trim fitted (missing)
Anode plate replaced

smallribber · 16 December 2020, 02:01

Any update on your progress

GrahamSR5.4 · 27 December 2020, 18:04

Engine is good to go but unfortunately I haven't been able to work on the rib the last month however I will be back on it soon !

GrahamSR5.4 · 30 January 2021, 13:52

Finally back working on the searider !

I decided to remove the raised deck and front timbers along with the supports glassed on the aft of the deck where a brace was fixed to the transom. My plan is to make and custom A frame which will be fixed to the transom and to new supports soon to be glassed on to the deck. I also sanded back the holes to be filled.

I was going to block up the elephant trunks as they were screwed into the transom which would eventually cause it to rot however, thanks to some advice I will glass in 4" tube and keep the trunk system as it works better than a bilge pump and will ensure the transom is sealed.

I will also be making a custom mould for a new console along with a transom plate !