searider milpro 4.7 console offset

[rebible]

I recently acquired a surplus 4.7 searider from the US navy.(orange hull and grey pontoons). I am in the process of getting it going. I am re-powering with 2 cycle yamaha 2 cycle. It has tow bar mounted.

I am mounting the engine back about 6 inches on a tilted spacer to allow "undertucking" when I start up. I have done this before on short "over powered" boats and it works fine. Keeps the bow down when starting.

We intend to use it for water skiing.


Questions:
When I look at the seat/console it is offset to the right (presumably to counter balance engine torue). My inclination is to center it and move it back a few inches as everything looks a bit far forward. The battery is in front of the console.

I was looking at mounting the gas tank under the seat which puts it mid-forward on the boat..

Do you have to offset the seating? Seems like you would be better off offsetting the battery, so number of riders wouldn't have a balance effect.

prop pitch suggestions. I like to ski at 36mph. I was thinking of pitching for about 40mph max???

thanks,
robert

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by rebible

We intend to use it for water skiing.

You are kidding right? It is completely the wrong boat as it has a deep V. Ski boats are flat bottom, look at a Nautique (Which has the most V), Mastercraft, Malibu, Sanger, Ski Centurian, etc. The Searider hull you have might make a decent wakeboard boat if you put a sliding gate valve on the flooding hull (Assuming you have one), to trap water in the hull for more ballast. Either way it won't track straight and holding speed will be hard. I doubt a Perfect Pass could come close to holding speed.

[Newto]

I believe the offset is to counter prop torque but also to make room for a casualty to lie down on the military boats, as for the skiing, with a decent outboard it will tow a skier all day long!
😃😃

[chris.moody]

My SR4 needs weight in the bow to stop it chine walking. I suspect the SR4.7 console is towards the bow for that reason.

[rebible]

working on the trailer. I still haven't decided if I should slide the console back a bit and center it or not. I am concerned about nose down problems off of waves.

I am looking for a 4 blade 17 pitch stainless to start with. I have a wall of props but they are all for higher hp engines.

I don't anticipate tracking problems. If you pull the skier from the cg it does much better.

regarding chine walking, I'll have to wait and see. A lot of times it is aggravated by loose steering and excessively deep engine placement.

robert

[ncp]

Pictures?

[rebible]

First off where can I get some new AVON decals to replace the ones on the back of the tubes.. Everything else is looking pretty good., And, how do I remove the ones there.


To all those naysayers. Finally got the registration straightened out and took it out today.

Rigging was about perfect. No chine walking, very controllable. I have the console centered and shifted back, gas tank and battery under the seat. I have the motor mounted back 6" and lifted about 6".

Ran right up to 5500+ with an 18" pitch 4 blade yamaha prop (2 people full fuel).

From my previous experience with other boats I think the engine is still a few inches low and I definitively need a little more prop pitch. I already have over a dozen ss props on the wall for my fast boat, I don't know why my wife puts up with me.


I will post some pics of it tomorrow.

[rebible]

here are the pictures I hope that they attach ok