New (to me) Searider SR4 advice

[nickforest]

Hi all,
So while considering what to do with my late father's old 14ft Mayland project and as my stomping grounds are mostly Bristol channel and Cleddau estuary I figured it just wasn't viable pursuing from a launching / safety aspect.
So fast forward to now I've gone and splurged on an Avon Searider SR4 Rib with side by side and back to back seating, complete with what I'm guessing is the original Mercury 50hp 3cyl Outboard. The tubes hold air, the hull seems ok and the engine runs, which for the price, I'm suprised. I'm excited to give her a blast on the water but I want to do things right so I'm hoping for some advice.

1) The plaque is sadly missing from the boat itself so I'm unable to identify the year, but going by the engine cowling and serial number (951XXXX) I've narrowed it down to 1986-1994. I'd love to narrow it down further for both boat and engine so if anyone has any experience with identifying features please chime in. Also, any pitfalls or common issues I should be on the lookout for before getting over excited and just chucking her in the water?
2) R.e. the engine, it's going to need a service and new impeller. Where is the best place to source parts where I can be sure I'm getting the right stuff? Theres no gauges either, which is something I'd like to remedy if possible.
3) The windscreen is missing and after numerous searches I can't find a replacement, are there any specialists that can do this kind of thing? Or should it be easy enough to have made up? This one is not going to stop me getting on the water, but it just looks naked without it.

Any help would be much appreciated as I'm simply dying to get on the water.

Cheers,
Nick.

 

[burgundyben]

Same as the one I have. Mine 1986. Brilliant boats.

Join the Avon Searider group on facebook and everything you need to know will be provided.

Start following Harry Dwyer and Goodwin on youtube.

 

[nickforest]

Thanks! I've put a post up there too.

Anything from your experience that I should be on the lookout for or be wary of?

 

[thejonesey]

We have had one for five years! Brilliant little boat. We have a Yam 2stroke so other than flushing through/cleaning etc and changing the gear oil there is little to do.
I have an old cracked screen if you want it for templating - we just used Perspex. There is someone on Ribnet who will make you one too.

 

[burgundyben]

Most folk seem to blank off the flooding hull althugh I have not.

 

[PilotWolf]

Can’t help specifically but I had 2 SR4. Mine were both jockey seats rather than side by side

it won’t let you down that’s for sure.

Just don t block the flooding hull!

W

 

[Blackgang boy]

These are great little boats and can handle some really big / rough seas, I spent many days and nights in them and covered many sea miles in these craft.

They used to the boat officially issued to the HM C&E teams tasked with inshore small craft control in the same configuration as you have except they ran with a 75 merc on the back and carried a 5hp as a back up.
Originally the only gauge was a rev counter. Our boats had the same seating forward facing and a large box seat behind although this was a terrible place to ride, crew preferred to sit on the sponsions using the rope grab lines. We also found that that the driver and pax seat could give a pounding to the back in bouncy conditions.

You'll find that even though the windshield is small it does offer a lot of protection.

Ours were converted to centre console and A frames for lights and aerials fitted to the rear this made them even better sea boats and far more comfortable and user friendly something you may want to consider for the future ours was converted by Dover marine who did a great job and if I remember rightly at a reasonable price.

I would keep the flooding hull as this made it a very stable craft when at rest.

I personally classed them as unsinkable and on one occasion can remember a cox stuffing the nose and swamping the boat, yet the craft managed to get back onto the plane and dump the water which was to the top of the tubes and transom.

Never felt unsafe in them and we used them well past our official range / sea state regs.

You'll have great fun !

B