Avon searider advice

[Blazej]

I've recently viewed the below rib, an avon searider 4m, with what seems to be the original mercury 50hp that, from my brief research, is what they came with. Owner is asking £900 for the boat, outboard, and trailer. It's been stored inside, however there are many patches, at least 10 patches all around I'd say. Engine ran well last used, owner agreed to try the engine before purchase. Tarp at the front, where the dry storage is is breaking at the seam, and would need repair. It holds air seemingly well, however some of the valves require the spring replacing.
For reference, this would be my first boat that I intend to buy to use personally, I've renovated a boat previously for resale, so this would be my first time taking a boat out ever.

Do you think £900 is worth it?

[beamishken]

£900 for an sr4 with a running 50hp outboard is cheap however that engine is around 50 years old it might give good service but age isnt on its side. The tubes look to have been painted on the top which is pretty much the death knell for them especially with so many previous repairs & the trailer is not looking great. The whole thing screams money pit to me. Personally I'd look for something with much better tubes & a more modern engine. If possible

[beerbelly]

that big steel plate on the transom would make me worried .the sr4 is not very substantial in that area to start with and if its full off soggy wood it would need cutting out and repairing .not a huge job if your good with your hands but painted tubes as well that poss need replacing you will have a lot of money in it . spend £3k on a good one and be quids ahead

[Blazej]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

that big steel plate on the transom would make me worried .the sr4 is not very substantial in that area to start with and if its full off soggy wood it would need cutting out and repairing .not a huge job if your good with your hands but painted tubes as well that poss need replacing you will have a lot of money in it . spend £3k on a good one and be quids ahead

I'm planning to buy a project either way, but with this on in particular I think the tubes would become a problem, as for the transom, from having a feel around it felt pretty solid.
I probably will end up buying something in a better state though

[Blazej]

Originally Posted by beamishken

£900 for an sr4 with a running 50hp outboard is cheap however that engine is around 50 years old it might give good service but age isnt on its side. The tubes look to have been painted on the top which is pretty much the death knell for them especially with so many previous repairs & the trailer is not looking great. The whole thing screams money pit to me. Personally I'd look for something with much better tubes & a more modern engine. If possible

I think that's what I'll end up doing, I cant see any real way to repair the tubes and have them look good. Thanks for the help, I'll keep a lookout for more Ribs

[beerbelly]

them blue band 50s were only ever 40 in real life as well

[Blazej]

Does anyone think is hould counter offer? I'm not looking to keep the boat more than a year anyway, as I'll probably be moving away, so really all I need is something to have a bit of fun with for about a year, and ideally a bit of work doing as I would like another project for myself.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Blazej

Does anyone think is hould counter offer? I'm not looking to keep the boat more than a year anyway, as I'll probably be moving away, so really all I need is something to have a bit of fun with for about a year, and ideally a bit of work doing as I would like another project for myself.

The problem with projects like this even if you get them for free they end up expensive boats as an example you could spend 5.5k getting it retubed & it'd still be only worth 2.5k
Theres a one local to me just now with better tubes & a better engine for not a lot more money but looks far more useable
https://www.facebook.com/share/18s4d83DS6/

[Blazej]

I'd love to get that one, just a lot too far, ill keep that in mind with the retubing. I'll keep an eye out for others until I sell my current boat aswell

[beerbelly]

Originally Posted by Blazej

I'd love to get that one, just a lot too far, ill keep that in mind with the retubing. I'll keep an eye out for others until I sell my current boat aswell

i think traveling to that one on foot would be a better proposition than the one you were looking at . infact i doubt even with traveling the length of the country you are going to find a better start to a project

[Blazej]

😂 yeah I'll look out for something better

[Stewy]

My friends selling one. Needs a transom. But the tubes are good.

In Morecambe

[Blazej]

I've seen that listing a few times before! Is there an engine with it?

[Blazej]

Any chance that any of you know someone looking for a cathedral Hull Boat? I've got a 22ft on sale if anyone's interested. With a trailer and an outboard, but engine needs lower unit replacing.