Tower on SR 5.4 Offshore Oil Removable?

tmuenster · 13 January 2011, 14:34

Does anyone know if the tower at the stern of a Searider 5.4 is easily removable? I am pickup up a used SR next week and I am not sure if it will fit in my storage facility with the tower attached. It looks like it simply unbolts from the deck and transom. Is that correct?

Thanks,
Tom

Zubenelgenubi · 13 January 2011, 14:46

Who knows, you might have sold it for $9500 before you pick it up next week

martini · 13 January 2011, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zubenelgenubi

Who knows, you might have sold it for $9500 before you pick it up next week

It'll almost certainly be bolted and/or coach screwed in. The deck fitting may possibly have been glassed over in addition which would require cutting around. Either way it should be much trouble to remove with a few basic tools.

tmuenster · 13 January 2011, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zubenelgenubi

Who knows, you might have sold it for $9500 before you pick it up next week

If that your final offer, SOLD! Let me know where you want it shipped.

I am really looking forward to picking up this boat. I've had a few Zodiac F470 boats and really enjoyed them. Back in my Navy days, we used 24' Willard diesel RHIBs (Navy speak for Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) that were a lot of fun. I currently have a RiverPro 18' Jetboat with a Merc 200 hp opti Sportjet. It will do 50mph in 3 inches of water. It is unmatched for catfishing on the Missouri River. It is a blast to drive but it is not so good out on the large lakes we have in the midwest. The Avon 5.4 would be perfect for the choppy water and big lakes so now all I have to do is convince my wife we really do need two boats. I guess if it doesn't sell, then I get to keep it. Hmmmm....

tmuenster · 13 January 2011, 15:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmuenster

If that your final offer, SOLD! ... I've had a few Zodiac F470 boats and really enjoyed them. ....

Here are some pics of one of the F470's with an E-tec Durajet. It was a nice setup and the jet was an added safety feature. It performed very well.

martini · 13 January 2011, 16:30

Do you know what the top speed was with the durajet?

tmuenster · 13 January 2011, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Do you know what the top speed was with the durajet?

I never had the chance to use a gps to measure the speed on this boat. My guess is around 30-35mph. The Durajet is nice in that it provides a vectored thrust and thus eliminates some torq steer issues that may occur with a prop outboard. This boat also seemed to get on plane very quickly. The F470 has some "speed tubes" or smaller sponsons that the boat rides on once it is on plane. However, I think the Durajet is not as effecient as a prop and therefore the top speed is limited somewhat.

Another F470 I had used a rollup floor and 25hp 2 stroke Yamaha. That boat was almost as fast as the 40hp Etec with the Durajet.